Otis College of Art and Design

Intro to Houdini:
Description: This introductory course provides a comprehensive overview of SideFX Houdini, covering its unique procedural workflow and powerful capabilities. Students will learn the basics of the interface, key concepts, and fundamental techniques, including modeling, texturing, lighting and basic animation. By the end of the course, students will have a solid foundation in Houdini and be able to create simple yet compelling 3D projects.

Intermediate Houdini: 
Description: Building on the introductory course, Intermediate Houdini delves deeper into more complex techniques and workflows. Students will explore advanced modeling, texturing, lighting and procedural animation techniques. The course also introduces simulation basics, including particles, fluids, and dynamics. Students will work on more intricate projects, enhancing their problem-solving skills and understanding of Houdini's procedural nature.

Advanced Houdini:
Description: This advanced course is designed for students who have a strong grasp of Houdini's core concepts and are ready to tackle high-level projects. The curriculum focuses on sophisticated simulations, including advanced particle systems, fluid dynamics, and complex VFX workflows. Students will also learn to optimize their scenes for performance and explore scripting with VEX and Python. By the end of the course, students will be capable of creating professional-grade visual effects and simulations.

VFX for Games using Houdini:
Description: This specialized course focuses on using Houdini for creating visual effects tailored to the gaming industry. Students will learn to design and implement real-time VFX assets, such as explosions, smoke, fire, and environmental effects. The course covers exporting assets to game engines like Unreal Engine, ensuring compatibility and optimization for real-time applications. Students will gain the skills needed to produce high-quality VFX that enhance gameplay and storytelling.