SideFX has proudly presented Houdini 20.5, a highly significant upgrade to its renowned procedural 3D software that holds immense value in the domains of VFX, game development, and motion graphics. This release was initially envisioned as a mere quality-of-life update but has astonishingly evolved into something far more substantial and impactful.
| The Copernicus Revolution
Houdini 20.5 brings a revolutionary element in the form of Copernicus. This is a cutting-edge GPU-accelerated 2D and 3D image-processing framework. Meticulously crafted with a long-term vision to eventually substitute Houdini's COPs, it presents an expanded and improved toolset for a diverse array of image manipulation tasks and texture synthesis. Its capabilities bear a close resemblance to the highly respected Substance 3D Designer.
Copernicus not only shines in traditional image processing but also holds a crucial position in the compositing domain. It effortlessly supports rough compositing, facilitating the seamless incorporation of 3D elements into live-action backgrounds. This unlocks a plethora of creative opportunities for crafting unique visual effects. Additionally, it enables users to achieve non-photorealistic appearances, adding an artistic and distinct flavor to their projects.
The compatibility of the Copernicus toolset is truly remarkable. It is fully compatible with third-party plugins through the OpenFX standard, ensuring a seamless integration with a wide range of existing tools and workflows. This compatibility extends to various GPU platforms such as NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel GPUs, delivering near-real-time performance and significantly boosting productivity.
| KineFX Rigging: Taking Character Setup to New Heights
KineFX, the renowned character rigging framework initially introduced in Houdini 18.5, has been continuously advancing within the context of Houdini 20.5. The rigging system in this version has attained an elevated level of complexity and is now characterized as "truly procedural."
One of the significant new additions within KineFX is joint tagging. This innovative feature simplifies the rigging procedure by automatically allocating rig components. Not only does it save precious time, but it also makes the rigging process more intuitive and productive. It enables the effortless generation of rigs by leveraging pre-built components, thereby providing a substantial boost to work efficiency. Additionally, it facilitates seamless procedural transfer between different character structures, unlocking new opportunities for character customization and adaptation.
Users have the flexibility to create custom components in two ways. They can either utilize the existing node-based workflow, which is highly regarded for its flexibility and power, or employ the new APEX Script interface. The APEX Script interface is a Python-like coding environment specifically designed for high-performance rig evaluation (preview of Houdini 20.0). This provides advanced users with the necessary tools to create highly customized and intricate rigging setups.
| APEX Animate Tool: Redefining Animation Workflows
Houdini 20.5 has brought significant enhancements to its animation toolset, now aptly named "Apex Animate" This updated toolset includes a variety of powerful features that are set to revolutionize the animation process.
One of the standout features is the ragdoll pose mode. This mode brings a new level of realism to key poses by incorporating realistic real-time physics. It allows animators to create more natural and dynamic animations, adding a touch of authenticity to their work. Additionally, the option for mirroring poses provides a useful tool for speeding up the animation process and ensuring symmetry in animations.
The system of transient constraints for dynamic parent-child interactions is another innovative addition. This system enables the creation of complex and realistic interactions between objects, such as those seen in juggling or other dynamic scenarios. It adds a new layer of depth and complexity to animations, making them more engaging and immersive.
Furthermore, the new animation layers system is a game-changer. It allows for the modification of existing motions without altering the original animation. This includes the ability to add procedural dynamics, giving animators the flexibility to enhance and refine their animations with ease.
| Simulation: The Power of the New MPM Solver
Houdini 20.5 introduces a revolutionary new MPM (Material Point Method) solver, a significant addition to the simulation capabilities of the software. This solver is designed to accurately simulate real-world materials such as liquids, elastic substances, and granular fluids like sand and snow.
The MPM solver enables different materials to interact with each other and with rigid bodies, opening up a world of possibilities for creating complex and realistic simulations. Its GPU-accelerated nature ensures better performance, allowing for faster and more efficient simulations. Written in OpenCL, it is hardware-agnostic, providing flexibility and compatibility with a wide range of systems.
Complementing the MPM solver is the updated Vellum solver. This solver has been refined to improve the accuracy of liquid wetting effects and granular fluid simulations. The combination of these two solvers provides a powerful toolkit for creating highly realistic and detailed simulations.
| Solaris improving key workflows
Solaris, Houdini's comprehensive toolset for shot layout, look development, and lighting, has received several updates focused on improving user-requested workflows. One of the most notable additions is the new Quick Surface Material node.
This node allows for seamless material editing directly within Solaris's LOPs, eliminating the need to switch to a separate material library. This streamlined approach saves time and simplifies the material editing process, making it more intuitive and accessible.
In addition, the Stage Manager node has undergone a complete revision. This revision aims to streamline the interface and enhance the functionality for shot layout management. The result is a more efficient and user-friendly workflow, enabling users to manage their shot layouts with greater ease and precision.
Houdini 20.5 is a significant milestone in the evolution of this powerful 3D software. With its extensive range of new features and enhancements, it is set to empower artists and developers in the fields of VFX, game development, and motion graphics to create even more remarkable and immersive projects.
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