Time needed to Master Houdini Simulation?

[catchyid]

Hi,

I have some general questions about Houdini, VFX career path, your feedback is always welcomed 

This is my second month learning Houdini. I understand how it works in general, but I feel there is lots of things to learn, and I easily get stuck if I want to do something that does not come out of the box. I am talking specifically about Houdini Simulation.

I have 4 months full-time left where I can learn anything I want, I am doing this on my own, after this I will have to look for a job. My goal is to use these 4 months as efficient/useful as possible in order to get a good job.

Now, my questions:

1-What is the average time frame needed to become really good at Houdini Simulation? I mean by really good is customizing effects to meet specific shot requirements, writing own scripts, building DOP network from scratch if needed, etc. 

2-At the end of those 4 months, which is better:

(a) have a general knowledge about everything in Houdini Simulation, which means my understanding will be shallow but I can manage to make things work, but most probably won't be able to deliver "difficult" shot?, or

(b) just focus on a limited number of tools and understand them inside/out? for example, know everything about pyro, crowd, rigidbody simulation, and skip the rest simulation tools?

3-At the end of those 4 months, which is better (sorry, this is not entirely Houdini related, but still wanna ask):

(a) Split my time and learn Houdini and Nuke (I know already AE)

(b) Just focus on Houdini

That's all  

I know the most logical question would be: What is the kind of a job you are looking for, but I don't really know! I love VFX and I am switching careers and I am not sure if studios prefer someone who knows it all or very specialized individuals. Also, I know already other tools such as Maya, PFTrack, Bullet, so I would like to use all the tools I know in production, but I am not sure if this is even possible or desirable or not...

Thanks

PS. As a learning experience, I produced one shot on my own before using Maya, Bullet, FumeFX, PFTrack and AE. http://www.holistic-films.com/

Edited August 31, 2016 by catchyid

[Hokmah]

There is no answer on this kind of questions. This is indivudual case. Some1 can learn houdini fast and the other one a little slower.  You should first ask yourself what do you want to do in the future? At the begining in opinion is good to know a little from all parts on software and then focus on your main skill like Pyro, Groom etc. 

 

[catchyid]

agree, it's varies from one to one It's just my time is very limited and I wanted to plan things right...but I guess, I will just do whatever I like the most which Houdini simulation! Thanks for your reply