3D World

TuTorials

Houdini Engine

02

MAke A Subnet

When the Houdini content is working in a style that is ready

to be used by Houdini Engine, make sure to package up all of the

required assets into a subnet. Do this by selecting every node

required in the node view and then pressing the Subnet button,

which looks like an open cardboard box in the top of the Node Tree

pallet. This collapses everything into one node which can then be

renamed to suit.

01

build An ASSet in houdini

To create an asset that can be shared with Houdini there is

no special preparation required. Just build up the asset you need,

in this case a simple dynamic system with a torus and a grid. Even

though the applications that Houdini Engine links to may have similar

functions, the depth and speed of the Houdini toolset allows more

creative control than could be possible in the Houdini Engine host

applications alone.

04

define pArAMeterS

Once the digital asset has been created, it is time for the most

powerful part of the process: the creation of user-specific controls.

If the Asset view is not open right-click on the Asset node in the

Node view, select Type Properties and then choose the Parameters

tab. In the Existing Parameters, select them all and click the Invisible

checkbox and press Apply. This clears all the input parameters from

the Asset Properties.

03

CreAte A diGitAl ASSet to ShAre

When the subnet has been renamed, right-click on it in the

node tree and then select Create Digital Asset. This then opens up a

dialogue box which allows the specifying of the asset name, its label

and where the file is to be stored. This can be either in the Houdini

Asset directory if it is likely to be used as a tool frequently for

other projects, or within the project files folder, dependant on the

workflow required.

05

Apply pArAMeterS

Now that the digital asset has been cleared of the default

parameters, bespoke ones can be added by going into the various

nodes within the subnet, and dragging the chosen parameters into

the Existing Parameters list in the Type Properties palette. Hit the

Apply button to make sure the parameters are appearing as they

should. When all the required parameters are created press Accept

to update the digital asset file.

06

iMport the houdini enGine file

In Maya go to the Houdini Engine menu (check the Plug-in

Manager if it is not available) and select Load Asset. Navigate to the

digital asset file and load it into Maya. A new object loads which,

when selected in the Attribute Editor, has the same bespoke control

parameters as were created in Houdini. Houdini Engine is running

a unique instance of Houdini in the background, allowing Maya to

utilise the full power of Houdini in its viewport. •