…for Houdni Indie, i'm worried if they cancel it after some years, if so, how would i then retrieve my files ?

would i then have to jump to the much more expensive full version,

or would SideFX send me a patch for a said amount so that i could continue using the current Indie version… ?

Erik,

We do not have a plan for what would happen if we were to discontinue the Houdini Indie program. We don't consider this a part-time product but an important part of our product line going forward therefore such a plan is not necessary.

Robert

Additionally, the hiplc files from Indie will load into both Apprentice and into full-commercial Houdini (degrading it to an Indie session in the process).

So in the event that you stop paying for a limited-commercial Indie license, or for some reason SideFX stopped offering them, you will still be able to open all your files until the end of time in a non-commercial capacity.