pluMmet

halfdan

Andy58
The Houdini community is very helpful and friendly if treated with respect to their culture. Getting an idea across in written form is not always interpreted in one certain way, that's how it evolves into a discussion where things can heat up. Especially with language and cultural differences.

Maybe I didn't spell it out quite clearly in my initial forum post, but my intention was that folks from other packages could come here and voice their ideas freely without judgement. Obviously, in this case, SI users, seeing as they have been abandoned by the curator of their software-of-choice. Now, moving forward, we'll probably rename the forum to fully embrace curious minds from other packages.

That said, it is understood that workflow in other packages is different from Houdini's. It was the intention here to attempt to figure out which differences make people hesitant to adopt Houdini as their package of choice. A big part of that is allowing new/potential users to have a clear voice as to what makes them go “wtf?” and what makes them go “that's awesome”.

If awesome, we can pat ourselves on the back and feel pleased. However, with the “wtf?” part, we'd like to see if there are ways to improve the software, without losing sight of what truly makes Houdini Houdini, and in the process make it a more attractive choice to non-users.

It's ok if the ideas are sometimes a little strange-sounding, we (SideFX) aren't just going to run off to our computers to implement them, just because they've been typed out on a forum. As with any other software endeavour, we'll be judging them based on their merit and how well they mesh into the existing architecture/system/spirit/ethos.

We will all benefit from that. There's a lot of things old-time Houdini users have gotten very much accustomed to; things which might be completely sub-optimal to begin with.

However, for that to work out, I'd like to request a little bit more understanding on our behalf, the Houdini community, and a little more civility from both sides.

So, please, from now on let's act as if we're grown-ups. We're all in this together. Mmmmkay?

Let me preface this with letting you know that I know that your friends and family know what great people you are that make Houdini.

We all know how frustrated the SI community is with what has happened. All that being made worse by people (AD) who trivialize valid concerns on a basis that is so consistent that it must be part of a manual somewhere.

Your statement is in error Mr. programmer and is the problem with Houdini as a whole.

It's not my job to learn Houdini as much as it's your job to teach Houdini Humanity.

If an artist can not intuitively animate a biped in Houdini it's a fault with the programmer.

The voluminous catalog of Houdini rigging videos on the net let me know that Houdini is a great rigger.

The lack of animation videos tell me the opposite of it's character animation.

Until I see people here stop deflecting obvious truths then I can only assume that they have not grasped the issues so there are no hopes of solving them.

Release 13 without an animation mixer is mind blowing to me.

Houdini: Great particle engine that does some other stuff too.

Until I see ownership of an obvious error I have no sympathy for perceived offense so don't bother.

This is my only post until I see a proper Mixer in release => 14 so just more of an fyi.