procedural modelling - what's your opinion?

dzibarik

So I've just watched this video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxpSFwCjezI#t=45

I has been thinking about trying to do something like this in Modo with controllers and so on and then I saw this video. I have heard about Houdini but never had time to research. It looks like the app is particularly suited for procedural approach.

So do you use something like that in your workflow? What's your opinion on procedural modelling in general?

beefaroni

Hmm. The video looks pretty cool; however, a lot of times you're going to need a specific design and it may be easier just to quickly model.

In addition, how will these models smooth? It says it creates relatively smooth geo, but if you have to spend an hour cleaning it up, it's not worth it.

From what I've seen by reading WIP's and folios, most pros develop their own kitbash sets as they work on projects. So a set may have pistons, bolts, trim, etc. Furthermore, while I could be wrong, I don't think anyone really uses Houdini to model.

thinkinmonkey

First of all, Houdini is a beast like no other, it requires a mindset totally different when you approach it for modeling/texturing/creating effects/... but, as Perna said, it worth, it's procedural philosophy is really powerful and flexible when approaching special effects (from modeling to explosions), it's a big time saver other that it can handle huge amount of data (a lot of voxels for fluid simulations).
From last year, SideFX, the Houdini producer, created the Houdini Engine, which you could consider it as a "plugin engine": it runs Houdini assets directly in Maya and in Unity.
Here are some videos showing Houdini Engine for Unity in action:
https://vimeo.com/72319223
https://vimeo.com/82124520
https://vimeo.com/88794901
In the same Vimeo channel, you'll find useful movies covering all the topics (modeling, particles, lightning...) if you'd like to try Houdini.

This video shows a level creation in Houdini, then exported to Unreal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jgV58ffSwg

On http://sidefx.com/ you'll find some articles about how game companies used Houdini.
Last, but not least, there's a totally free (not for commercial purpose) Houdini version, Apprentice, you can download and use it with little restriction for rendering dimension and logo on it, but it works EXACTLY as the commercial version.
You need more? Just try by yourself and see

dzibarik

perna wrote: »

BTW, check out RailClone2 by Itoo. A very affordable alternative to the similar Houdini feaures which runs as a 3ds Max plugin.

yes, I have been looking into this plugin for some time and it's really awesome. My friend in archviz has been using it for years.