Scale COP is a free HDA that wraps the whole thing in one node. Pick a target resolution (preset, explicit, or pulled from a size-reference input), choose a fit mode, optionally tile, pick a filter. Done. No manual offset math.

Fit modes: Distort, Fit (letterbox), Fill (crop to fill), Width, Height, None (1:1 pixel)
Tile modes: None, Repeat, Mirror X, Mirror Y, Mirror Both (with UV offset)
Filters: Point, Bilinear, Box, Bartlett, Catmull-Rom, Mitchell, B-Spline, Auto
Size reference input: connect any upstream node to drive the output resolution automatically — no manual width/height entry when your canvas size changes

Free download: https://github.com/kleer001/funkworks/releases/tag/scale_cop-v0.1.99

Houdini 20+, any edition. FX users: a build script is included so you can compile the HDA under your own license and avoid the Indie/Apprentice flag.

First Houdini release from Funkworks — a small open-source collection of free DCC tools built from real workflow problems.

Feedback and bug reports welcome!

More free tools at https://github.com/kleer001/funkworks

I've rewritten my Husk plugin and submission script for Deadline. Sharing it here in case anyone else finds it useful.

It lets you submit multiple USD files to deadline. Supports GPU affinity on Karma XPU, so you can split tasks across each GPU. Also supports submitting jobs from Render Pass prims (new in Houdini 21, they're like the USD version of takes or render layers).

https://hipfreak.gumroad.com/l/hnjfsa

Thank you.

Of course, when PDG submits background job or farm job - it submits in a command line env way so no UI is available. New flipbook node or openGL node give you the option to submit flipbooks to the farm on GPU enabled machines, but this option is extremely limited in a huge way - grabbing the viewport exactly how it is in it's current state. What I mean is - being able to display hard templated geo, templated geo, ghosted geo, viewport background easily, black vs blue background, all those functions are hard coded or just gone. Particularly I'm interested in being able to see hard templated geometry since this is very useful when wanting to see multiple geos without merging and messing up attributes in the viewport - it's also much faster to preview this way as well. 

So now comes the issue. Since PDG submits farm jobs without the ui available - this means we are not able to flipbook using flipbookSettings or hscript('viewwrite') commands in the background. This forces us to be restricted to flipbook node or openGL rop nodes. I'm asking if there is a way around this limitation? To spawn a job on the farm but WITH the ui enabled so that things like the sceneViewer.flipbookSettings and sceneViewer.flipbook() commands could actually work without crashing on the farm? 

I was looking into hython, studying up on how TOPS works, but I don't know how to do this without more information. Can anyone give me more background? 

Meet Frame Lab: https://johnfanny.gumroad.com/l/framelab

Does anyone know how to permanently disable the slider for an integer parameter?

Thanks for helping.

I decided to make a public Houdini package project: DASH

It's mostly an abstract node library, with an great initial focus on VOPs. Yup... VOPs

Project repository: https://github.com/probiner/DASH

Video (Bit long-winded, so I guess it's mostly for those curious about details) : 

Cheers
prb

We built a page and tool that lets you copy and paste Houdini node recipes from the website directly into any Houdini context. So far we've compiled a small collection of recipes we use in our projects. Check it out here: https://codercat.xyz/cookbook/

However, when I import my own HDA, that option is missing. I only see inputs for Geometry Input, World Input, and PCG Input.

My goal is to control curves directly inside Unreal Engine in real-time, not to create them in Houdini and then import them. I've seen a few tutorials with different workarounds for controlling splines, but I was wondering if there is still a simple and direct way to get that curve input, like there used to be

• One-click creation of a complete camera hierarchy

• 13 Lens Presets

• 3 Render Engines - Redshift, Mantra & Karma

• Supports both OBJ and SOP-based look-at targets

• Preserves camera orientation and position when switching targets

• Three rig modes:

  • Rig – dolly, truck, pedestal, pan, tilt, roll

  • Manual – direct XYZ transforms with the CamRig Pro null

  • Orient to Path – align and animate the camera along curves

     

• All rig modes support look-at targets and focus nulls

• Rig mode has an added Parent to Target mode for camerawork base around a moving target

• DOF controls for Redshift, Karma, and Mantra (focus distance, aperture for Karma/Mantra Only)

• Generates renderer-specific ROPs when selected (Redshift, Karma, or Mantra)

• Import to Solaris

• Auto-assigns the camera to the scene viewport

• Supports multiple rigs with auto-numbering and non-destructive setup

• Utility buttons: reset transforms or clear objects using Zero All & Clear Target/Focus + Global Reset buttons

• Fully written in native Python — no HDAs or external dependencies making it easy to share

• Shelf/Tab menu integration for one-click access inside Houdini

• Includes 2 optional custom node shapes, CamRig Pro node and a minimal connecter

Requirements

• Houdini 20.5+

• Python 3.11

Included

• CamRig Pro Python tool

• Instructions for use inside Houdini

• Compatible with Redshift, Karma, and Mantra
  
  
  

I'm currently working on an HDA (still in the process of building the parameter interface, so it's not fully finished yet). I’d like to know how I can use a toggle (on/off button) created in my HDA to control the Display > Optimization > Back Face parameter.

The goal is to be able to turn this parameter on and off directly from my HDA, without having to open the display settings each time.

I’ve tried solving this with ChatGPT, but the suggested solutions and Python scripts didn’t work for me.

I’m using Houdini version 20.5.332.

Thanks in advance for your help! Any suggestions, scripts, or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Snippet manager and code editing tool for H20.5+

The VEX Manager is a user-friendly tool for managing and editing VEX code as well as saving notes all within Houdini. It simplifies loading, creating, editing, and organizing VEX expressions, making it essential for artists working with VEX scripts.

Download it here

https://shirmanor.gumroad.com/l/vex_manager_v1

I created an HDA, but somewhere along the line, it's throwing an error when the node is deleted.

I created a little code for the OnDeleted event to see what is causing the error, but this is what I get...

So...in short...  I have no clue what's throwing the error.  The HDA works perfect up until that point, it's only when the HDA is deleted.

Does anyone have any way to trade where the error is coming from when it's deleted?

import time
node = hou.pwd()
keyframes = node.parm("rx").keyframes()
time.sleep(0.01)
print(keyframes[0].value())

time.sleep(0.01) is to demonstrate that it runs like 300 times per cook because of recursion, so it would take a few seconds to complete

Here is an image.

We were tasked with finding a tech solution that fitted with our game, and I decided to try my hand at a polished building generator!

For my second project I again opted to create a building generator.

As opposed to last time, I worked with the labs building generator tool for the base of this system.

The generator allows you to change the different parameters such as the location of stairs, the details on the windows and much more that will be showcased later.

During my last project I often ran into the issue that I was using a bunch of MatchSize nodes, which forced me to work linearly when generating my building. this added a lot of time to the generation as every part of the building was recalculated after. To fix this issue, I exported the pointcloud of the building and used this to adjust my settings such as stair location, corner generation and roof generation. By utlizing points which are absolute instead of the local MatchSize nodes I was able to create a more robust building generator that also works quicker than my old project.

Here is a video that showcases the Building generator in action. This time around I wanted it to be useable in Unreal Engine, as it would be used by my teams environment artists instead of me.

This will hopefully be the last building generator I make at this study, I will be focusing on USD integration next!

Thank you everyone for reading, if you have any questions please ask away!

This is my first Houdini project, so if anyone has feedback for me it would be greatly appreciated. 

The project was made from scratch as I did not find the built-in Labs building generator easy to build upon.

The building generator allows you to change both the roof tiles, the lattices, the windows and the flags for different variances. The size of the building is determined by user placed bounding box, so the tool is able to generate an entire street from just a blockout!

Here you can see a diagram of the basic logic used to generate the buildings, excluding the preview mesh generation.

I have also made a short video using PDG to showcase different ways that the building generator can create distinct and unique outputs:

And finally, the tool working in Unreal!

Thank you everyone for reading, if you have any questions please ask away!

Let's take a look of the advantage of my tool:

about file viewer

1. faster loading speed than Pre-Flight Scene

2. allow to filter by node name, file name and extension

3. show absolute and relative path.

4. tell you which path is not under $HIP

5. double-click the node name and jump to the node

6. show the number of link status and the number of files with $HIP path

about package

1. allow to copy Non-$HIP files to the folder where your .hip file is and replace the path to $HIP.

2. toggle of copy sequence files.

Installation

Create a new tool in shelf and copy the python codes.

Don't be shy to give me any suggestion and feedback 

FileCollector.txt

First one is a UI the help quickly connect parameters.  I use this mainly in texture when working with triplanar nodes to have them all match but works with any node type.

LINK

I have recently created a set of 70+ HDAs called the IPOPs that aim at creating AOVs, Mattes & features for rendering. IPOPs are operator workflows designed to streamline shaders and AOV development in Houdini. With our toolset, artists can easily standardise their networks and access specially developed nodes for various renderers and presets, increasing efficiency and creativity.

Get the IPOPs here!

Renders in Karma & Mantra.

1. The Standard Library: Set of HDAs that help artists create quick shaders and AOVs and contain useful Utility Nodes such as Fresnel for Karma (CPU & XPU), Mask Falloffs in Shaders etc. The HDA library is constantly updated with new nodes to assist artists in speeding up their workflow and creating a streamlined system thereby increasing efficiency and creativity.

2. The Geometry AOVs: A set of remade common geometry AOVs for artists to quickly generate AOVs, Mattes & Utility Passes for Compositing.

3. The Particles AOVs: A set of remade useful particle AOVs for artists to quickly generate AOVs, Mattes & Utility Passes for Compositing.

4. The Volumes AOVs: A set of remade volume AOVs for artists to enhance their FX using AOVs, Mattes & Utility Passes for Compositing.

We have a wide range of Bundles available for various workflows & we support both Houdini Apprentice & Houdini Indie! For any enquiries please email support@chakshuvfx.com

I will be posting constant updates and developments here.

IPOPs Master bundle:
1. Houdini Apprentice
2. Houdini Indie

IPOPs Geometry AOVs bundle:
1. Houdini Apprentice
2. Houdini Indie

IPOPs Particles AOVs bundle:
1. Houdini Apprentice
2. Houdini Indie

IPOPs Volumes AOvs bundle:
1. Houdini Apprentice
2. Houdini Indie