Overview
In this Houdini destruction course, we are going to shake the earth to collapse a huge bridge.
You will learn to set up and fracture geometry, deform metals, create and control constraints, perform simulations with RBDs, Vellum and Pyro, generate debris, dust, volumes, and a lot more.
We will teach you the latest tools and workflows used in the new Houdini 18.5.
Upon completion of this course, you will have gained a set of technical and artistic skills that will allow you to develop feature-film-quality destruction shots for your demo reel.
We will include all the assets and hip files used in the course, including the bridge, various car models, all Arnold shaders, cameras, and the final scenes of every week.
Although this is not a course on lighting, rendering, and composition, you will learn what it takes to present your work with a professional finish. For more information, see the content of Week 5.
Software
Houdini 18.5
Difficulty
Intermediate
Duration
9 hours approx.
Format
Recorded videos
Content development
Agustín Schilling
Daniel Larrosa
Tariq Kinani
Instructor
Tariq Kinani
Language
English
Rendering
Solid Angle Arnold
Q&A
Community Forum
Requriment
Basic Houdini knowledge
Pace
Self-paced
COURSE CONTENT
Week by Week
WEEK 01
In the first week, we will focus on analyzing and preparing the geometry for destruction.
We will use several fracture methods for concrete and metal, set up constraints, and animate the bridge’s deformation, which we will later combine with our simulation.
You will learn to cache your complete simulation efficiently to increase performance and productivity.
For detailed information about this week, click here.
WEEK 02
In week 2, we will use different solvers to simulate the two types of bridge cables.
For horizontal cables, we will simplify the geometry to optimize the calculation processes. We will create constraints and use the results from week 1 to guide the cables’ simulation, using Houdini’s new Guided Simulation Workflow.
For the vertical cables, we will use Vellum. As we did previously, we will simplify the geometry and create a system of constraints that allows us to connect with the simulation of the main bridge and break the stress zones progressively.
For detailed information about this week, click here.
WEEK 03
During this week, we are going to simulate cars using Bullet. We will sort and randomize several car models along the bridge, using the new “Scatter and Align” node in Houdini 18.5.
We will create a simple system to eliminate the interception between cars, and we will create a Cone Twist Constraint system to simulate the suspension.
For detailed information about this week, click here.
WEEK 04
We are already in the final stretch! In the penultimate week, we will create the debris and Pyro simulations for the dust.
For the debris simulation, we’ll keep it light and simple. We will use the Debris Source node for the broadcast and POPs for the simulation.
For the dust, we will create two Pyro passes. One will be dense and accompany the fractures; the other will be light and will remain suspended in the air, just as it would happen in real life.
At the end of this week, we will have all the simulations ready for the final render.
For detailed information about this week, click here.
WEEK 05
Although this is not a lighting and rendering course, here you will learn everything you need to present your work with a professional finish.
In this course, we will provide all the shaders, and in this class, we will teach you how to connect them to the bridge and cars.
You will learn to randomize the colors of the cars so you can adjust them to your liking.
Then, we will create a volume pass for the FOG. This will help us with all the final setting of the scene.
Finally, we will create lights and set the ROP for the final render.
For detailed information about this week, click here.
REQUIREMENTS
- Previous experience in Houdini or one of our basic level courses is a prerequisite for this course.
- A computer with Windows, Linux or OSX.
- 16 GB RAM, at least. Take into account that the more RAM, the more resolution and detail will be achieved in the simulations.
- AMD or Intel 64-bit processor of recent generation.
Tariq Kinani
Tariq started his journey into the world of FX by enrolling at FX Animation, a 3d and film school located in Barcelona, Spain. During his training, he developed a keen interest in the natural and supernatural effects that can be achieved with Houdini. Since then, he has completed a multitude of projects simulating a range of natural phenomena, from melting wax heads to crowds of running skeletons.
Tariq has always had a passion for the visual arts, he graduated from Cardiff Metropolitan University in Wales, United Kingdom, with a Bachelor in Fine Arts in 2010. After finishing his masters in VFX in FX Animation, he returned to his home country Wales, and from then on he has been working as a freelance FX Artist for international companies.
One of the aspects of VFX that interests him most is the balance between the technical and the creative. His background in Fine Arts helps him find novel solutions to complex problems.
FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Bridge Collapse
ABOUT THE COURSE
How do I enroll and register?
You must create an account or log in to enroll in this course.
Then you will be able to pay right away and get access to the course.
What is the start date?
We offer a unique teaching system: no schedules or start dates!
Learn at your own pace, anywhere, and at a time that suits you!
Do I need to buy Houdini Indie or FX?
You can use «Houdini Apprentice», which is a free version of Houdini FX. However, you will need to acquire a Houdini Indie or FX license for the shading and rendering section of the course, since Houdini Apprentice does not work with third party renderers and we will be using Solid Angle Arnold.
Do I need to buy a Solid Angle Arnold license?
For taking this course, you can download the free 30-day Arnold trial here – You must first log into or register for an Autodesk account –.
COURSE CONTENT
Will I get access to all videos upfront?
Yes, you will get access to all videos so you can take the course as fast or slow as you want.
Are the videos downloadable?
No, all video classes are hosted in the VFX Campus.
Will I have lifetime access to all content?
Yes, you will have lifetime access to all course content.
Do you provide support to solve questions?
We have a community forum, where you can find solutions, share ideas and follow discussions. It is a place for connecting with other students, learning new skills, sharing feedback and finding all the support you need for your projects.
Bear in mind that it is not guaranteed that you will receive a reply from The VFX School team, only in the case of the most frequent questions.
