WHAT'S NEW
Houdini 21 introduces major updates across the pipeline, including enhancements to KineFX with a new motion mixer, animation catalog, Autorig Builder, and improved muscle system. Copernicus gains a sparse GPU Pyro FX solver, reaction diffusion effects, texture baking, while Solaris adds Shot Builder, Live Rendering, and Karma support for Hydra 2 and Gaussian Splats.
The release introduces hundreds of new features and enhancements. You can watch the Keynote to learn about all these features in one video or you can watch individual videos by going to the feature pages listed below.
Keynote
Sneak Peek
KEY FEATURES
KineFX Animation
Houdini’s KineFX animation tools streamline character animation by combining non-linear editing, dynamics, and procedural controls for faster, more flexible, and higher-quality motion.
KineFX Rigging
These tools enable riggers to build flexible, procedural character rigs that adapt easily to different animation needs. Under the hood, APEX creates high-quality, reusable rigs for complex characters.
CFX
Muscles are an essential part of the character FX pipeline as they simulate realistic skin and tissue deformation, adding natural motion and volume beneath the surface of a character.
VFX
New VFX tools introduce powerful enhancements for creating realistic simulations, including improved Pyro FX recipes, MPM-based destruction tools and ML based surfacing tools for fluids.
Lookdev
Solaris and Karma streamline the look development pipeline by offering an integrated workflow for creating, visualizing, and refining assets with precise control over every visual detail.
Copernicus
Copernicus plays a key role in 2D image generation by providing powerful tools for layering, scattering, and new solvers to create highly detailed and customizable textures and slap comps.
Terrain
Terrain heightfields are essential for generating realistic landscapes, allowing artists to sculpt, erode, and texture large environments with high levels of control and flexibility.
Modeling & Baking
Modeling plays a crucial role in creating detailed assets, while ensuring clean topology and optimized geometry for efficient use in various pipelines.