Alexey Vanzhula releases Modeler 26 for Houdini
Alexey Vanzhula has released Modeler 26, the latest version of his 3D modeling toolkit for Houdini, Side FX’s 3D software for VFX, motion graphics and games.
It’s a varied update, adding a lot of new functionality to the PolyPen tool, new Draw Cards and Bezier Deform tools, a new Layers panel, and support for open curves in Boolean operations.
It’s also a slight change in version numbering: under the previous system, it would have been Modeler 2026.
A classic 3D modeling toolkit for Houdini
First released in 2018 under the name Direct Modeling HDA, Modeler is a ‘classic modelling environment’ for Houdini, intended to make workflow more like that in other DCC apps.
It features a range of tools for polygonal and subdivision modelling, and for retopology.
Although the original strength of the toolset was hard surface modeling, subsequent updates have added an increasing number of tools for organic modeling and character work.
Modeler 26: lots of updates to the PolyPen
The release notes for Modeler 26 are currently pretty brief, so the best guide to the new features is the preview video embedded at the top of the story.
The biggest set of changes are to the PolyPen, Modeler’s general-purpose context-sensitive tool for mesh editing and retopology work, which you can see towards the end of the video.
New functionality includes the option to extrude edges from existing geometry by pulling them out interactively, and to delete geometry corresponding to an entire UV island in one action.
In addition, when cutting new edges into a mesh, it is now possible to work in screen space, rather than being constrained to the local axes.
Draw Cards lets you draw geometry cards or tubes
Other new features include Draw Cards, which makes it possible to draw geometry cards or tubes freehand in the viewport, in a way rather reminiscent of ZBrush.
In the video, you can see the system in action to add horns to a creature head.
New Bezier Deform tool, and updates to Mirror Deform
There is also a new Bezier Deform tool, which makes it possible to deform the surface of a mesh by adjusting a Bezier curve to control its profile, as shown above.
The existing Mirror Deform tool now respects global symmetry settings, and – according to the release notes: it isn’t shown in the video – now supports masks.
New Layers panel helps keep scenes organized
The update also adds a new Layers panel, from which users can arrange geometry into separate layers and toggle their visibility, to help keep complex scenes organized.
In addition, the toolset’s Boolean operations now work with open curves.
Price and system requirements
Modeler 26 for Houdini is compatible with Houdini 21.0+. Individual floating licences cost $100; unlimited-seat Studio licences cost $500.
Read a list of new features in Modeler for Houdini in the online changelog
Read more about Modeler for Houdini on Alexey Vanzhula’s Gumroad store
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