VFX 428 / Spring 2026 / Fowler

Exercise 3 – RBD Dynamics (Light and Heavy)

Date Assigned:	Class 6
Date Due:	Class 8

Checklist

☐ .hip (or two files — append name with light / heavy)
☐ No render required — flipbook with shadows and inset reference
☐ .pdf breakdown (brief)
☐ .mp4 — minimum 10 seconds, must include reference with URL

Goals

This assignment will focus on the student using DOPs to create a realistic animation of boxes (or another object) being hit by an object and reacting as if they are empty, then repeated as if they are full. The goal is to produce believable movement.

For those experienced with RBDs, a more complex project may be substituted but must be pre-approved. For those with less experience, please select a simpler object such as a box.

Requirements

Create two simulations — one with heavy boxes and one with light or empty boxes. Separate simulations and separate hip files are acceptable if convenient.
No fractures — that is the next assignment. This is a short exercise focused on RBD behavior.

These are the minimum requirements.

Considerations

This is an introductory exercise to become familiar with RBD dynamics in Houdini. The goal is to make the animation as believable as possible.

You may need to use two hip files or subnets — one for light and one for heavy.

Submission Guidelines

Submit a directory named:

S26_V428_E3_LastnameFirstname_RBD/

S26_V428_E3_LastnameFirstname_RBD/
├── S26_V428_E3_LastnameFirstname_RBD.hip        (or _RBDlight.hip + _RBDheavy.hip)
├── S26_V428_E3_LastnameFirstname_RBD.pdf
└── S26_V428_E3_LastnameFirstname_RBD.mp4

This directory must contain:

S26_V428_E3_LastnameFirstname_RBD.hip — or two files appended with light / heavy.
S26_V428_E3_LastnameFirstname_RBD.pdf — breakdown. Please include both a general description for a viewer and a more technical description for someone looking at your file.
S26_V428_E3_LastnameFirstname_RBD.mp4 — minimum 10 seconds of animation; can be a flipbook. Must include your reference with URL.

No spaces in filenames! Adherence to naming and format conventions constitutes 5% of your grade.
Failure to comply with naming conventions will also affect your professionalism grade.

Grading (out of 10)

Proper use of dynamics and learning Houdini's DOP network is the emphasis.

What Professor Fowler is looking for:

Is the contrast between light and heavy clearly believable?
Is the DOP network properly set up and organized?
Is your reference included with a URL in the mp4?

Pushing further:

Go beyond the specifications — demonstrate exploration and understanding.
Excellent look development even within a flipbook context.
A less complex setup that is properly executed is better than one that is too complicated and not completed.

Minimum requirements met:	8 / 10
+ Properly submitted:	8.5 / 10
+ Exploration, understanding, excellent look development:	9–10 / 10