Houdini 20 has brought about some amazing new updates. From improvements in Solaris, feathers and even brand new cloud tools.
Clouds, at a base level, are a very fun interesting project that can be easily accessed for new starters in Houdini. The workflow previously consisted of working within VDB’s and adding layers of noise to certain areas of the volume. Like with many workflows that include vops, the detail arises from layers of noise.
So what differentiates the new workflow? Yes it is still adding noise. However, Sidefx have separated out the noise into easier to use nodes, where alot of the processes are pre setup within nodes.
We begin our scene with the cloud shape generate tool. Which is possibly the greatest change we have seen between Houdini 19.5 and 20. This node allows you to create the initial shape of the cloud geometry which is some ways is arguably one of the most important areas. The node allows you to use the presets between three different cloud types: mediocris, humilis, and congestus. Just this parameter alone allows for a much more scientifically accurate initial build. The other parameters in this node include some sort standard setups. Including: initial size, length width, distortion etc. Although these are easily created within Houdini, Sidefx have condensed all of the initial setup within one node, allowing a much easier point of access to users of Houdini who have just begun to understand volumes and noise.
We then move onto the cloud noise tools. Now, although the working of these tools is similar from what you would have created in 19.5. The main difference is that so many extra parameters and values have been condensed in these very easy to use nodes, with added presets.
When looking at the cloud noise tool, you will see a lot of similar parameters that you may have seen when creating clouds within VOPS. But we have some nice added extras. The two new parameters which make cloud creation much easier is smooth valleys and abs noise. What do these do?
Smooth valleys allow you to smooth down the noise, which is especially useful for very fluffy stylised clouds. Abs noise is referring to an absolute noise value, which means adding positive values to the noise rather than both negative and positive. This gives us a bit more control on the noise that we want to add. We are able to add various noises, that are separated out into positive values, and both positive and negative values. Giving us much more control on the style of cloud we want to create.
This is just one of the new very exciting features Houdini 20 includes!
THE ART OF VISUAL EFFECTS AT ESCAPE STUDIOS 