Alexey Vanzhula releases Modeler 2025.2 for Houdini

Highlights of the new features from the 2025.1 and 2025.2 updates to Modeler for Houdini.

Alexey Vanzhula has released Modeler 2025.2, the latest version of his 3D modeling toolkit for Houdini, Side FX’s 3D software for VFX, motion graphics and games.

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.

Modeler 2025.2: new hotkey layout, customisable left and right gestures
Key changes in Modeler 2025.3 include a redesign of the hotkey layout to bring it in line with other 3D modeling applications: the transformation tools are now selected using W, E and R instead of T, R and E, and 1, 2 and 3 are used for selecting points, edges and faces.

Users can also configure left and right gestures in the context menu separately, assigning any Houdini or Modeler shelf tool.

In addition, a new shading preset system makes it possible to set up custom shading modes for previewing models, then select them from the radial menu, as shown in the video above.

The plugin has also been updated to Qt 6, the current version of the UI interface toolkit, specified in the VFX Reference Platform specs since 2024.

Find a complete list of changes at the foot of the story
However, Modeler 2025.2 is a much wider-ranging update, with feature and workflow improvements throughout the toolset.

At the time of writing, the online changelog hasn’t been updated, but you can find a complete list of changes at the foot of this story, taken from Alexey Vanzhula’s email newsletter.

Pricing and system requirements
Modeler 2025 for Houdini is compatible with Houdini 20.5. Individual floating licences cost $100; unlimited-seat Studio licences cost $500.

Read a full list of new features in Modeler for Houdini in the online changelog

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Modeler 2025.2 for Houdini: complete changelog

Qt6 support
Completely redesigned hotkey layout – now closer to other modeling programs.
Escape key activates the Drop tool, which clears selection (like in Modeler 2023).
In the Brush tool, the Move Separately parameter has been renamed to Mask Disconnected to match standard sculpting tools.
Parm Slider can toggle the Mask Disconnected parameter in the Brush tool.
Slide tool now offsets edges from boundaries more correctly in Distance mode.
Connect node has been simplified – sliding functionality was removed.
Fixed a bug where the Connect tool left a group named points.
Swap Objects now automatically switches to Object mode if the cursor is over the current display geometry inside a SOP container.
Contour selection tool now has two modes: selected edges become rings, while selected faces are converted to contour edges as before.
Selection tools like Grow, Shrink, and By Normal now work properly when the Manipulator tool is active.
Peak tool now uses a proper handle in the viewport (like the default Houdini Peak), instead of simple horizontal dragging.
Exiting the Preview SubD mode now restores the previously active state.
Improved accuracy of Clean Edges.
Better automatic input connections for Modeler tools used inside node trees.
Added quick shading preset system.
The Shading Mode radial menu now includes the most important shading modes.
VDB Remesh no longer breaks input geometry attributes.
When using Brush and Smooth from the Topo menu in the same TopoBuild node, brush size is no longer reset.
Added Parm Slider limits for Subdivide and Crease nodes.
Fixed non-working mouse wheel in the Loop Slice tool.
In addition to Grow Left/Right/Up/Down, new Shift-prefixed versions were added that offset the selection relative to the viewport instead of growing it.
To Shells now also works in the UV viewport.
Project and To Templates tools now support using the Construction Plane to define projection direction explicitly.
Primitive radial menu now supports point creation; position can be based on the Construction Plane or selected components.
Updates to the Hose node allow better results with fewer polygons.

Align View

Works better when finalized over a template node.
Uses its own hotkey instead of the default spacebar navigation, which avoids glitches on some systems.
Improved behavior when using multiple viewports simultaneously.

PolyPen

Many bug fixes.
Minor shortcut changes, e.g., use Shift+LMB for welding points.
Now works with backfacing components when shading mode is set to Wireframe.
Added edge collapsing by moving one point to another.
More convenient polycurve editing with support for creating sharp corners.
New Fake Weld option moves a point to another without merging them.
PolyPen no longer inherits highlighted components from the input geometry.
Fixed incorrect perpendicular detection for edges.

Context Menu

Left and right gestures are now customizable in the Menu Editor – you can assign any Houdini or Modeler shelf tool.
The menu is now bound to Tab by default. Pressing Tab again opens the standard Houdini menu. You can also just start typing to filter tools from the standard Houdini menu without pressing Tab twice.

MacOS

Context menu works correctly in fullscreen mode.
Manipulator uses Ctrl+Shift instead of Command+Shift for screen-space movement.
Fixed incorrect behavior in the Swap tool.
Requires Qt6 build for proper menu functionality and good icon rendering quality.

Alexey Vanzhula releases Modeler 2025.2 for Houdini

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