Class Description:
Learning about working in problem-space and posing otherwise difficult or complex problems into a more intuitive geometric space, making it easier to visualize, solve, and control.
Learning Outcomes:
Being able to approach both common and uncommon problems with a more solid foundation of where to begin and experiment. How to transform problems into a spatial dimension, and manipulate them once they’re using basic 3D skills. Unlike some of the other Houdini.School classes, there is no final project that is worked towards; instead, each session will focus on different examples of the larger topic.
Topics Covered:
Session 1
Intro + Attribute Clipping
An introduction to the course using a simple and grounded example of using the Clip SOP to clip an arbitrary attribute, which by default only lets you clip via a plane in world-space.
- Introduction to course
- Viewing Attributes in Worldspace
- Attribute Clipping using Noise
- Attribute Clipping using Normals
- Attribute Clipping using Surface Distance
Session 2
Vector Manipulation and Creation
Using geometric transforms and deformations to direct vectors and forces.
- Brief re-introduction
- Example A: Particle Forces
- Example B: Instance Directions
Session 3
Distorted Worldspace
Some operations use a uniform radius, only work in worldspace, or don’t support class-based customization. We’ll explore how to work around these things to bring a new level of control to some of our favorite tools.
- Non-uniform Polywire
- Non-uniform near-point operations
- Non-uniform surface distance
- Noise Position
