The Geometry Essentials
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01  Components & Primitive Types

02  Attributes: Principles, Normals & Vectors 

03  Attributes, Variables & Parameters

04  Drive Parameters with Attributes

05  Dive into VOPs

06  Scattering & Distribution

07  Interactive Selections

08  Procedural Selections: Groups

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$634.92  $399.99

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Learn it all, for less

Houdini isn’t so hard to master when you’re carefully guided through it. Our learning path is designed to step you through what you need to learn, in the order you need to learn it.

All of our current Geometry Essentials courses are packaged into this one comprehensive collection. 267 in-depth tutorials, over 23.5 hours of learning – this isn’t a quick how-to guide that teaches you to make one thing. We unpack the vital stuff other courses breeze over, covering the fundamentals in depth, showing you why these principles are so integral to Houdini and just how to wield them. Each course builds on the last, arming you with the technical knowledge to craft, finesse and refine original pieces.

But we don’t waste time either. Your learning time is precious and we know it. That’s why we make sure every second of these 7 courses contains the most crucial information, carefully explained, and delivered at the right time, in a way you’ll remember for the long term. We’re about true depth of understanding, not a few weak tricks.

This bundle is everything you need to start learning Houdini the right way. And you get a massive 30% saving to boot.

What’s Included

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Total Duration

27 hours 6 minutes

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Total Contents

312 video tutorials

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Searchable

Jump to the tool, technique or topic you’re after

 
 
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Houdini Geometry Essentials 01

Components & Primitive Types - Version 2.0

55 tutorials, 5 hrs 45 mins


Houdini’s unique approach to geometry underpins everything you’ll end up doing with it – VFX, direct modelling, procedural modelling, UVs, scene layout – it all starts here. This course is where we begin laying the best foundations for everything ahead. By the end of this course, you’ll have a deep understanding of:

  • Houdini’s geometry components – points, vertices, primitives, edges and breakpoints
  • How geometry is constructed in Houdini by connecting points
  • The importance and power of vertices in controlling connectivity
  • The concepts, theories and practical uses of Houdini’s primitive types – polygons, nurbs, beziers, meshes, polysoups and quadratic primitives
  • How to easily convert from one primitive type to another – plus when and why you’d want to

 

More details
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Houdini Geometry Essentials 02

Attributes: Principles, Normals & Vectors

31 tutorials, 2 hrs 45 mins


Attributes are what make Houdini more powerful than any other 3D program. Sure, there are other courses out there that cover attributes. But not like this. We go deep into their mechanics for true understanding of the mathematical, physical and computing concepts behind the data. By the end of this course, you’ll have a deep understanding of:

  • What attributes are, how they’re constructed and why you need to master them
  • How the geometry context is really driven by attributes
  • The anatomy of vectors and how they work
  • All you need to know about normals and why they’re such a big deal in Houdini
  • How to visualise attribute data in different ways – seeing is understanding

 

More details
 
 
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Houdini Geometry Essentials 03

Attributes, Variables & 
P
arameters

50 tutorials, 4 hrs 24 mins


You’ve learned a tonne of crucial theory so far. We’ll teach you more here, but that’s not all. Let’s put the theory to work, teaching you how to apply your new skills to real projects. We’ll build a procedural system together, complete with project files. By the end of this course, you’ll have a deep understanding of:

  • The difference between attributes and variables
  • What the deal is with local and global variables
  • How to access and reference the bounding box with parameter expressions
  • How to use the normal and up attributes for precise control of orientation
  • Resampling curves with accuracy using arc and chord length measurement methods
  • Using the ray node to project geometry
  • Customising tools with spare parameters
     
More details
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Houdini Geometry Essentials 04

Drive Parameters with Attributes

20 tutorials, 1 hrs 41 mins


We’ll have you tapping into the real power of attributes - generating them, modifying them, and then using them to control and scale parameters of surface operators as if you were harnessing higher mental powers. These are crucial skills for high-end motion graphics, film quality effects, or for simply shaving hours off tedious modelling tasks. By the end of this course, you’ll have a deep understanding of:

  • The different ways to access attributes in parameter fields
  • The way to manually write parameter expressions
  • How to generate parameter expressions automatically using the reference menu
  • When to use relative paths and when absolute paths are better
  • The classic Houdini geometry workflow of generating, modifying and using attributes

 

 

More details
 
 
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Houdini Geometry Essentials 05

Dive into VOPs

44 tutorials, 3 hrs 21 mins


We’re sure you’ve heard a lot about VEX, but do you really need to learn to write VEX code to start using Houdini? The short answer is no. Here we’ll show you how you can do all you need and more using amazing, artist-friendly little things called VOPs. A brilliant intro to VEX, VOPs are a visual way of using VEX to manipulate attributes and modify geometry. By the end of this course, you’ll have a deep understanding of:

  • Why VEX is such a big deal and why you should learn it
  • How to build VEX code in a visual way using nodes
  • The essential VOP nodes that you’ll work with daily
  • Why working with values in a 0-1 range makes so much sense
  • Using VOPs with SOPs for practical tasks like banking geometry along curves
  • The principles of noise and how to work with it

 

More details
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Houdini Geometry Essentials 06

Scattering & Distribution

31 tutorials, 2 hrs 42 mins


Here, you'll be digging deep into controlling attributes using noise and random functions, and learning how to manipulate attributes using colour correction techniques. These are essential skills for creating awe-inspiring environments and richly detailed objects. By the end of this course, you’ll have a deep understanding of:

  • How noise and random functions differ — and when to use one over the other
  • The role of the random function in point scattering
  • How point scattering and point relaxing work
  • The relationship between pixel values and attribute values
  • How colour correction techniques can be used to control, adjust and manipulate attributes
  • The way to generate and control orientation attributes using the Scatter & Align SOP
  •  Houdini as a framework for building custom tools

More details
 
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Houdini Geometry Essentials 07

Interactive Selections

36 tutorials, 2 hrs 54 mins


Behind every great operation, there’s an important selection and Houdini gives you lots of options for making them directly in the viewport. Even though these direct selection tools are really powerful they don’t get much airtime. In this course we give them the attention they deserve. We’ll give you all the knowledge you need to make your selections quickly and efficiently, and in a classic interactive way. It’s all about building essential skills for direct modelling and editing in Houdini. By the end of this course, you’ll have a deep understanding of:

  • The need-to-know geometry selection tools, modes and hotkeys
  • The significance and nature of connected geometry in Houdini
  • The select by normal tool
  • The advantages and disadvantages of groups versus string attributes for saving selections
  • Using the groups and attributes list to inspect and select geometry components
  • How to get the most out of Houdini in an interactive mode (rather than procedural mode)
More details
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Houdini Geometry Essentials 08

Procedural Selections: Groups

45 video tutorials, 3 hrs 33 mins


When it comes to procedural modelling, making the right selections is the hardest part, demanding every trick and technique in the book. Here, we'll give you the skills you need, providing a deep knowledge of Houdini’s procedural selection toolkit - the mighty Group SOPs. Soon, you’ll be generating procedural hard surface models with ease, plus you’ll have a stack of techniques you can use in FX and MoGraph workflows to boot! By the end of this course, you’ll have a deep understanding of:

  • All the essentials Group SOPs
  • The procedural counterparts to the interactive selection techniques covered in Geometry Essentials 07
  • Using group syntax to make procedural selections directly in group parameters
  • Using connectivity groups and connectivity attributes to define selection regions
  • Combining multiple grouping techniques for making complex procedural selections
  • The best practice selection workflows for effective procedural modelling
More details
 
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Houdini Geometry Essentials 01

Components & Primitive Types

55 tutorials, 5 hrs 45 mins


Houdini’s unique approach to geometry underpins everything you’ll end up doing with it – VFX, direct modelling, procedural modelling, UVs, scene layout – it all starts here. This course is where we begin laying the best foundations for everything ahead. By the end of this course, you’ll have a deep understanding of:

  • Houdini’s geometry components – points, vertices, primitives, edges and breakpoints
  • How geometry is constructed in Houdini by connecting points
  • The importance and power of vertices in controlling connectivity
  • The concepts, theories and practical uses of Houdini’s primitive types – polygons, nurbs, beziers, meshes, polysoups and quadratic primitives
  • How to easily convert from one primitive type to another – plus when and why you’d want to

 

More details
 
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Houdini Geometry Essentials 02

Attributes: Principles, Normals & Vectors

31 tutorials, 2 hrs 45 mins


Attributes are what make Houdini more powerful than any other 3D program. Sure, there are other courses out there that cover attributes. But not like this. We go deep into their mechanics for true understanding of the mathematical, physical and computing concepts behind the data. By the end of this course, you’ll have a deep understanding of:

  • What attributes are, how they’re constructed and why you need to master them
  • How the geometry context is really driven by attributes
  • The anatomy of vectors and how they work
  • All you need to know about normals and why they’re such a big deal in Houdini
  • How to visualise attribute data in different ways – seeing is understanding

 

More details
 
Placeholder Image
Houdini Geometry Essentials 03

Attributes, Variables & 
P
arameters

50 tutorials, 4 hrs 24 mins


You’ve learned a tonne of crucial theory so far. We’ll teach you more here, but that’s not all. Let’s put the theory to work, teaching you how to apply your new skills to real projects. We’ll build a procedural system together, complete with project files. By the end of this course, you’ll have a deep understanding of:

 

  • The difference between attributes and variables
  • What the deal is with local and global variables
  • How to access and reference the bounding box with parameter expressions
  • How to use the normal and up attributes for precise control of orientation
  • Resampling curves with accuracy using arc and chord length measurement methods
  • Using the ray node to project geometry
  • Customising tools with spare parameters

More details
 
GE04
Houdini Geometry Essentials 04

Driving Parameters with Attributes

20 tutorials, 1 hrs 41 mins


We’ll have you tapping into the real power of attributes - generating them, modifying them, and then using them to control and scale parameters of surface operators as if you were harnessing higher mental powers. These are crucial skills for high-end motion graphics, film quality effects, or for simply shaving hours off tedious modelling tasks. By the end of this course, you’ll have a deep understanding of:

  • Houdini’s geometry components – points, vertices, primitives, edges and breakpoints
  • How geometry is constructed in Houdini by connecting points
  • The importance and power of vertices in controlling connectivity
  • The concepts, theories and practical uses of Houdini’s primitive types – polygons, nurbs, beziers, meshes, polysoups and quadratic primitives
  • How to easily convert from one primitive type to another – plus when and why you’d want to

More details
 
GE05
Houdini Geometry Essentials 05

Dive into VOPs

44 tutorials, 3 hrs 21 mins


A brilliant intro to VEX, VOPs are a visual way of using VEX to manipulate attributes and modify geometry. Down the track, you’ll be using them to build shaders and materials, make textures in COPs, and work wonders in other contexts, too. Huzzah! By the end of this course, you’ll have a deep understanding of:

  • What attributes are, how they’re constructed and why you need to master them
  • How the geometry context is really driven by attributes
  • The anatomy of vectors and how they work
  • All you need to know about normals and why they’re such a big deal in Houdini
  • How to visualise attribute data in different ways – seeing is understanding

More details
 
GE06
Houdini Geometry Essentials 06

Scattering & Distribution

31 tutorials, 2 hrs 42 mins


Scattering - simple on the surface, but below, it’s all driven by you know what - attributes. In this course we’re diving deep into controlling attributes using noise and random functions, and learning how to manipulate attributes using colour correction techniques. These are essential skills for creating awe-inspiring environments, richly detailed objects, and they also come in handy for decorating donuts.

  • How noise and random functions differ — and when to use one over the other
  • The role of the random function in point scattering
  • How point scattering and point relaxing work
  • The relationship between pixel values and attribute values
  • How colour correction techniques can be used to control, adjust and manipulate attributes
  • The way to generate and control orientation attributes using the Scatter & Align SOP
  •  Houdini as a framework for building custom tools
More details
 
GE06
Houdini Geometry Essentials 07

Interactive Selections

36 tutorials, 2 hrs 54 mins


Behind every great operation, there’s an important selection and Houdini gives you lots of options for making them directly in the viewport. Even though these direct selection tools are really powerful they don’t get much airtime. In this course we give them the attention they deserve. We’ll give you all the knowledge you need to make your selections quickly and efficiently, and in a classic interactive way. It’s all about building essential skills for direct modelling and editing in Houdini.

  • The need-to-know geometry selection tools, modes and hotkeys
  • The significance and nature of connected geometry in Houdini
  • The select by normal tool
  • The advantages and disadvantages of groups versus string attributes for saving selections
  • Using the groups and attributes list to inspect and select geometry components
  • How to get the most out of Houdini in an interactive mode (rather than procedural mode)
More details
GE06
Houdini Geometry Essentials 08

Procedural Selections: Groups

45 video tutorials, 3 hrs 33 mins


When it comes to procedural modelling, making the right selections is often the hardest part. You need every trick and technique at your disposal. Here, we’ll arm you with a deep knowledge of Houdini’s procedural selection toolkit - the mighty Group SOPs. Soon, you’ll be generating procedural hard surface models with ease, plus you’ll have a stack of procedural selection techniques you can put to work in FX and MoGraph workflows to boot! By the end of this course, you’ll have a deep understanding of:

  • All the essentials Group SOPs
  • The procedural counterparts to the interactive selection techniques covered in Geometry Essentials 07
  • Using group syntax to make procedural selections directly in group parameters
  • Using connectivity groups and connectivity attributes to define selection regions
  • Combining multiple grouping techniques for making complex procedural selections
  • The best practice selection workflows for effective procedural modelling
More details

Our Students Say It Best 


 

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"I just completed the geometry course and I learnt SO much from it. It was incredibly insightful and taught me concepts about how geometry actually works, concepts I've never seen even mentioned in other courses and Houdini tutorials!"

Paul Esteeves

Freelance Motion Designer


"This is by the far, the BEST Houdini online training course I have ever seen. I continue to be blown away at the quality of these tutorials."

Cameron Skinner
Microsoft

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"Well, I must say, as someone who used C4D for the past 7 years and now decided to switch boats to Houdini, this course is pure gold. It’s quite unbelievable. I watched tons of tutorials on YouTube and beyond and, like others are saying, this one is by far the most logical, useful, to the point, and so on. And for that, really, thank you. Big thanks and keep up the superb work."

Igor Severic

Quality Assurance Specialist, Core4D Community Owner/Manager &3D Modeling Artist

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"Amazing! In every lesson pretty much every concept explained gives me a big "ahaaaa" moment and it all just makes sense!"

Karl Gadd

Student

"This course was amazing. It's structured and delivered in a way no other courses can compare. I'm very interested in what kind of journey you have gone through to get all this knowledge in geometry, math and CG. Thanks a lot for putting these courses together and presenting them in such a brilliant way."

Victor Osornio
Graphics Engineer

Eight Crucial Courses, One Giant Saving!

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The Houdini Geometry Essentials Super Bundle

$634.92  $399.99

Save 37% by bundling eight courses

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