Houdini has long been a dominant tool used in the creation of some of the most awe-inspiring animation and cinematic effects ever made. It is preferred by numerous studios for their most demanding challenges. If you go to the theater and see something that blows your mind, it is a good bet that Houdini had a hand in it. Now you can conquer the amazing technology of Houdini with confidence. With this book, you will learn how to apply each of Houdini's breathtaking features to your projects as you take on modeling, character animation, particle effects animation, dynamic simulation animation, shading, digital asset creation, and rendering. The Magic of Houdini is full of exercises, tips, and illustrations to help you tackle each new skill. Get ready to experience the mystery, the majesty, the magic of Houdini!

Features

• Written for beginner to intermediate level users of Houdini, a high-end 3D animation software package.
• Serves as a comprehensive resource for accurate information on all aspects of the software.
• Integrated exercises, tips, and illustrations help readers feel confident with the new skills they are learning.
• References to real-world examples and descriptions of industry professions through the book provide a concrete base for the knowledge being presented.
• A companion web site features Apprentice 8, the free learning edition of Houdini.

• Introduction and Welcome
• 3D Concepts Reviewed
• The Houdini Interface
• Object Operators (OBJs)
• Surface Operators (SOPs)
• Addition SOPs Practice
• Animation
• Particle Operators (POPs)
• Shader Operators (SHOPs)
• VEX Operators (VOPs)
• Digital Assets
• Dynamic Operators (DOPs)
• Render Outputs (ROPs)
• And So It Ends?