Pragmatic VFX

https://youtu.be/6ws_ylYBN-8?si=a9SLgDWizpRv6AeS
A major update to Pragmatic VEX: Volume 1 is underway. The new version will feature smoother editing, improved pacing, and an updated look. I'll sweep through the entire series to enhance your learning experience even more, with updates that reflect the latest functions and features in Houdini 20.5.

All of these updates will be freely available to all existing and new users alike. I will try to post weekly updates for visibility.

Given the scale of this project, it might take about 6 months to complete, as I am dedicating most of my efforts to Volume 2 with over 200 videos in total covering an unimaginable number of unique topics.

Thank you all for your continued support, without which none of this would have been possible!

Pragmatic VEX: Volume 1 [H20] [4K] https://www.pragmatic-vfx.comPragmatic VEX is a highly planned, highly edited series aimed to increase the technical capacity of the artists and TDs. This se...

Behind the fame of pcfind lies pgfind, a lesser-known and rarely used VEX function in Houdini, with its own unique set of tricks.

Learn high-end VFX production-focused VEX methods with Pragmatic VEX.
https://www.pragmatic-vfx.com

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Houdini 20 has a new slerp function in VEX.

SLERP, or Spherical Linear Interpolation, is a term commonly used in computer graphics and animation, particularly in the context of rotations. It refers to a method for interpolating between two orientations, represented as quaternions, in a way that produces a constant angular velocity and a smooth rotational motion.

This method ensures that the interpolation occurs over the shortest path on a 4D sphere (since quaternions are 4D vectors). The result is a smooth and uniform rotation from one orientation to another.

Learn high-end VFX production-focused VEX methods with Pragmatic VEX.
https://www.pragmatic-vfx.com

If our content resonates with you, consider backing us on Patreon or exploring our Gumroad collection. It helps us create more content like this.

Exclusive content:
https://www.patreon.com/animatrix
https://animatrix2k7.gumroad.com

Follow us on:
https://www.youtube.com/
https://www.tiktok.com/
https://vimeo.com/animatrix2k7
https://twitter.com/pragmaticvfx
https://instagram.com/pragmaticvfx
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rdx2k7

Send a message to learn more

𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲? 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲! 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗻'𝘁 𝗯𝗲!

https://www.pragmatic-vfx.com

Unmatched in the VEX Realm! Our 3rd bonus content for 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗘𝗫: 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝟭 on "𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗙𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻" is in the works. We're diving deep—explore the spectrum of flows from single and bidirectional flows to intricate advanced backward and forward tracing techniques, right up to linear, smooth, cubic volume sampling and a lot more!

Such dedication to enrichment and growth, years post-launch, is unprecedented in any commercial course. 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗯 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀!

Follow us on X/Twitter for the latest in VEX insights and more: www.twitter.com/rdxmethod

Get ready to turbocharge your Houdini skills! We've just dropped a brand-new bonus chapter for 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗘𝗫: 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝟭, packing an even bigger punch of advanced techniques to supercharge your VEX workflows. This extraordinary update offers unprecedented insights into unconventional performance optimizations that will make your complex networks fly.

The new content brings over 2 hours of video spanning 13 videos, taking the course duration to a staggering 𝟭𝟱 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗩𝗘𝗫 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁. This isn't your run-of-the-mill course update - it's a knowledge explosion set to propel your Houdini capabilities to new heights!

This bonus chapter isn't just an addition to 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗘𝗫: 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝟭, it's an exhilarating enhancement. Existing course holders gained immediate free access to this extra content as a special thank you for their loyalty. Furthermore, anyone purchasing the course from now on will also receive this bonus material, providing even more value. This is our commitment to continually bringing you the best in advanced VEX learning.

Enjoy the new trailer!

Pragmatic VEX: Volume 1 [4K] [H19.5] https://www.pragmatic-vfx.com Pragmatic VEX is a highly planned, highly edited series aimed to increase the technical capacity of the artists and TDs which will…

Google is the latest company to join again the impressive list of companies and studios that use 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗘𝗫: 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝟭 as part of their training. It shows how some companies truly value the growth of their employees, which makes it an even better place to work at!

Houdini is being used to create the new concept videos that explains the theory behind complex topics in illustrative style instead of using Photoshop. It takes a lot of time to create these low level tools in Houdini that mimics a 2d presentation style but the benefits far weigh the efforts spent.

It creates better consistency, higher quality of presentations, opens a lot more doors for getting ideas across, i.e. having animated presentations that wouldn't be possible using standard painting apps. This alone makes it possible to explain a lot more in less screen space since everything is live Houdini geometry.

These low level tools still need a lot of work before I can fully utilize them but here is a sneak peak from 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗘𝗫: 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝟮 concepts (WIP, color theme pending changes):

It's highly likely all the concept chapters of 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗘𝗫: 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝟭 will be recreated using the same Houdini tools sometime in the future once the tools are finalized.

𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗙𝗫 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗫 presentation at Gamescom Asia 2022 (Singapore) is up on SideFX Houdini vimeo channel.

There is a sneak peek of 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗘𝗫: 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝟮 where I showcase the new Poly Carve SOP, one of the major chapters in the upcoming VEX course.

I also talk a bit about my own UX design in Houdini based on the inquiry by Fianna 😁

Huge thanks to SideFX for letting me present on their platform 😊

Hope you find it useful!

Face Peeling Using KineFX | Yunus Balciouglu | GamesCom Asia 2022 Creating a polygon folding based face peeling setup using KineFX that's highly procedural and art directable. Yunus Balcioglu is a Senior FX Technical Director…

𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗘𝗫: 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝟭 has been updated to ever changing Houdini. In that sense the course is very much alive, always keeping up with the latest changes in the software so you can be assured that you learning the most up to date methods and workflows in a production environment.

All existing users receive the updates immediately as soon as they are pushed. The included HDAs are also updated in sync with the material.

And a sneak peak of 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗘𝗫: 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝟮😉

https://vimeo.com/442612288

𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗘𝗫 series is aimed to increase the technical capacity of the artists and TDs which will allow them to tackle more complex production shots with complete control and ease by acquiring a deeper technical understanding of how things work in Houdini at the lowest level with a strong applied focus on high-end feature film visual effects production.

Created by 𝗬𝘂𝗻𝘂𝘀 "𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘅" 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗰𝗶𝗼𝗴𝗹𝘂, currently a 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗫 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 at 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 & 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰. Feature film credits include 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗹'𝘀 𝗘𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀, 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗸𝘆𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗿, 𝗫-𝗠𝗲𝗻: 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘅, 𝗫-𝗠𝗲𝗻: 𝗔𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝘆𝗽𝘀𝗲, 𝗔𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻, 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻: 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁, 𝗣𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗻, 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 and many more.

𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗘𝗫 is a carefully structured course where every single topic, concept and idea is planned in advance with no idle moments, dead space, gratuitous talking or unplanned debugging for what should have been done offline. Everything is presented in a clear and concise manner, rather than impromptu recording with little to no editing, bloating the total runtime. Every topic is clearly explained through live concept drawings before showing how to implement it inside Houdini.

Provided in this course are more than 13 hours of high-density practical video content spanning 150 videos.

Almost all cook times and idle moments are edited out, and some parts are sped up (2-5x) like concept drawing, code writing, viewport/network navigation, and node layout, etc. The focus is on quality rather than total running time, and as such the course length is not the best way to estimate the actual value.

That's why I don't spend 1 hour explaining what a string is, or how to call a function as there are so many resources online covering those to exhaustion. They will be assumed knowledge.

If you feel that, at any point, you are lacking some prerequisites, I would highly recommend referring to Houdini documentation, as well as watching Entagma videos (entagma.com). These guys set the bar really high for all Houdini training.

I tried to cover as many areas that have relevant areas to have a solid volume with a similar theme and flow, that not only progressively scales up on complexity and intricacy, but is also filled with countless practical production-proven tips and tricks from beginning to end.

Topics covered: Point Clouds, Smooth Point Cloud Filtering, Grid Based Point Cloud Lookup (pgfind), Camera Based Occlusion with Variable Pscale, Point Relaxation, Uniform Point Distribution Over Polygonal Surfaces, Unique Pair Matching, Operator Decoupling, Convolution Kernels, K-Depth Neighbours Using Edges & Primitives, Cubic Hermite Interpolation (smoothstep), Shaping Functions, Blurring Attributes, Sharpening Attributes, Kernel Code Generalization, Generic VEX Kernels, Gradient, Gradient Ascent/Descent & Contour Lines on Planar/Arbitrary Geometry & Heightfields, Streamlines, Tracing Curves, Geometry Traversal, Tighter Packing, Self Proximity, Geometric Advection, Orthogonalization, Flowlines, Clustering, Quadtrees, Subdivision Limit Surface, Limit Surface Sampling, Half-Edges, Hashing, Adaptive Subdivision, Improved OpenSubdiv Catmull-Clark Subdivision Surfaces Algorithm, Custom Fusing in VEX, Splitting Edges, Edge Divide, Bilinear Subdivision, Catmull-Clark Subdivision, Boundary Rules, Attribute Preservation & Interpolation, Group Preservation, Sea Caustics, Pool Caustics, Generic HDA Design, Performance Profiling & Aggressive Performance Optimizations

Software: 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝟭𝟵.𝟱

Overlay Network Editor feature is part of Supercharged extension: gum.co/fxsup

Special thanks to Jeff Lait and Mark Elendt.

Korean translation (WIP) by Seona Hwang.

Rendered using Redshift.

Sponsored by ASUS, Wacom and Redshift.

After careful analysis and deliberation of the new features in 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝟭𝟵.𝟱, 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗘𝗫: 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝟭 has been updated to the latest version so you can be confident you are still using the latest techniques and methods available.

A number of videos have received updated content as well as the corresponding scene files.

All existing users immediately received the latest content as soon as it went live.

Enjoy!

https://vimeo.com/442612288

Pragmatic VEX: Volume 1 [4K] [H19.5] https://www.pragmatic-vfx.com Pragmatic VEX series is aimed to increase the technical capacity of the artists and TDs which will allow them to tackle more complex…