My name is Jimena and I'm from Mexico. My main interest right now is to learn everything I can about making FX with Houdini (smoke, debris, dust, fire, fluids, dynamics, etc.); but here in Mexico there are no courses to learn about Houdini. I've trying to learn with cmiVfx, Gnomon and vimeo channels but there is a lot of information, and most of the tutorials are made to achieve specific effects; I must say, this is sometimes confusing to me, because although I achieve the desired effect and understand what is taught in the tutorial, I think I'm missing the main concepts. This is why I was wondering if you could guide me into the right direction; meaning an online course that will give me a core foundation, or maybe apply in a foreign school (I've seen the ones recommended in the website, but I don't know which ones will you recommend me specifically to learn the areas I have specifically mentioned: smoke, debris, dust, fire…..).

I would like to become an specialist if possible; right now I am studying on my own everything I can, but I hope for a master degree in the future (not so far). Maybe somewhere where a scholarship is accepted.

Thank you for your time

there are the “first steps” videos here on sidefx.

“houdini fundamentals” is pretty good on cmi

also, I like “The Magic of Houdini” (book) …although it is getting kind of old. you can still work through it, and there is a lot of good stuff in there.


12++

Hi,

http://www.papicrunch.net/GC-houdb/?collec=0&model=list&filter=none&sort=idASC&p=1 [papicrunch.net]

http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1085&Itemid=281 [sidefx.com]

http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=202&Itemid=361 [sidefx.com]

http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=203&Itemid=362 [sidefx.com]

http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=14&Itemid=132 [sidefx.com]

http://www.3dbuzz.com/training/topic/houdini?resetFilters=True [3dbuzz.com]

http://vimeo.com/user2030228/videos/sort:date [vimeo.com]

http://training.adrianlazar.com/free-houdini-training/ [training.adrianlazar.com]

http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1085&Itemid=281 [sidefx.com]

oh my!

thank you very much for your responses, it seems that all I have to do is study by myself, which is not a bad option at all; i can do it.

I have enough material on internet, the motivation and… I think that's enough

Thank you very much!

http://cg-masters.com/ [cg-masters.com]

for both video tutorials and classroom live training!

Old School goes deep to the internals of Houdini;

http://forums.odforce.net/index.php?/topic/17105-short-and-sweet-op-centric-lessons/#entry104263 [forums.odforce.net]

I started with a basic course at www.CardanFX.com but now they have complete Houdini programs in spanish on line at http://institutocardan.com/ [institutocardan.com] or in the new school in Mexico City.

If you want to see how this works look at the free spanish training course here :

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF9959D903ED5ECB0 [youtube.com]

I really like the way Carlos teaches, I can say that helps more than the tutorials to me at this point because he explains everything and I am still learning technical stuff, but like I said he makes it easy to understand and after your class you have to create your own projects.


Hi From Mexico
Saludos desde Mexico

thank you all for the helpful replies, I've been already looking at “houdini on the spot” and “the magic of Houdini”, they are helping me a lot with the basics, though I'm going a little slow
Also I've been watching a lot of specific tutorials of cmfvix, vimeo channels

But I'm really feeling more motivated with all your suggestions! thank you very much!! I promise to read them all and make a plan that best suits to me.

Please feel free to keep posting!

SAludos a todos!