Houdini On the Spot: Time-Saving Tips and Shortcuts from the Pros (On The Spot {Series}) [Paperback]

Craig Zerouni (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0240808622 | ISBN-13: 978-0240808628 | Publication Date: July 26, 2007 | Edition: 1

Packed with more than 350 techniques, this book delivers what you need to know-on the spot. Its concise presentation of professional techniques is suited to experienced artists whether you are:

* Migrating from another visual effects application
* Upgrading to Houdini 9
* Seeking a handy reference to raise your proficiency with Houdini

Houdini On the Spot presents immediate solutions in an accessible format. It clearly illustrates the essential methods that pros use to get the job done efficiently and creatively. Screenshots and step-by-step instructions show you how to:

* Navigate and manipulate the version 9 interface
* Create procedural models that can be modified quickly and efficiently with Surface Operators (SOPs)
* Use Particle Operators (POPs) to build complex simulations with speed and precision
* Minimize the number of operators in your simulations with Dynamics Operators (DOPs)
* Extend Houdini with customized tools to include data or scripts with Houdini Digital Assets (HDAs)
* Master the version 9 rendering options including Physically Based Rendering (PBR), volume rendering and motion blur
* Quickly modify timing, geometry, space and rotational values of your animations with Channel Operators (CHOPs)
* Create and manipulate elements with Composite Operators (COPs); Houdini's full-blown compositor toolset
* Make your own SOPs, COPs, POPs, CHOPs, and shaders with the Vector Expressions (VEX) shading language
* Configure the Houdini interface with customized environments and hotkeys
* Mine the treasures of the dozens of standalone applications that are bundled with Houdini

·Boost your efficiency and creativity
·Find immediate solutions in an accessible format
·Unleash the power of Houdini with unpublished techniques

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

has been a CG artist for over 25 years. During his 15 year tenure at CFX, one of Britain's first computer animation companies, Craig worked on over 500 commercials, title sequences and feature films. His responsibilities with CFX ranged from effects programming to animating to technical directing to directing full commercials. Craig has used Houdini since its inception. He has periodically worked for Side Effects as the manager of the Prisms software product (1997) and as a production consultant and a resident Houdini expert. He has enjoyed intervening stints with Silicon Grail, freelance production work, and most recently working for Digital Domain.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 1 edition (July 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240808622
• ISBN-13: 978-0240808628
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 9.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #994,701 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Miscellaneous Tips and Tricks, August 29, 2007

By 

Brian R. Walters "bwalters" (Savannah, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Houdini On the Spot: Time-Saving Tips and Shortcuts from the Pros (On The Spot {Series}) (Paperback)

On the cover it says "POWER USER TIPS AND TRICKS", suggesting an advanced read, but while I'm only 2/3 of the way through the book at this point, it comes across to me as an intermediate level read. Lots of tips and tricks, but only a few have actually been practical to me. Thus the -1 star.

Learn from me: Sadly on my last trip I made the mistake of bringing only this book along to read. Not that I haven't enjoyed this book, but because it is not a good read front-to-back. It's one of those 'bathroom reader' type books as each page contains 1-3 tips/tricks. Reading it nearly front-to-back presents too many tips and tricks to actually absorb and maintain any. It's like saving all the studying for an exam till the night before the test-- you might remember some information for a while--short term, but by the time I got back in front of a computer from my vacation almost all the information had escaped me (except for the one or two pages I bent the corner on). If you purchase this book, and if you're an avid Houdini user I recommend you do, read it slowly. In chunks. A couple pages a day at the most -- and keep a computer with Houdini on it nearby.

Make no mistake, "Houdini On The Spot" is an excellent addition to any Houdini users library. Partially because Side Effects Software's Houdini doesn't have that many books documenting it in any way, shape or form, but mainly because there are a few gems of information in the book. There are definitely just enough of those little "Oh, nifty! I didn't know Houdini could do that..." moments you'll experience by reading through this book. Just do it slowly, and take your time so it sinks in.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Timely, Accurate, and Useful, January 7, 2008

By 

Wook (Venice, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Houdini On the Spot: Time-Saving Tips and Shortcuts from the Pros (On The Spot {Series}) (Paperback)

(Full Disclosure: I work with the Author)
This is a great book that needs more readers than the technology itself
delivers. Hopefully, Craig will keep at it so we have updates for
successive versions of the Product (Side Effects Software Houdini).
I bought 2 copies, one for home, one for the office, and it brings value
to both the experienced and less so user.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Treasure Chest, August 10, 2007

By 

Bukovec Dániel (Budapest, Hungary) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Houdini On the Spot: Time-Saving Tips and Shortcuts from the Pros (On The Spot {Series}) (Paperback)

After reading the whole book, I was thrilled by amount of very usefull information it has. It's a Houdini bible. Even the experienced users of the software should get it. I can only warmly recommend it it to everyone.