Checklist
- ☐
.hipnc
- ☐
.mp4 animation
- ☐
.jpg beauty render (still)
- ☐
.pdf breakdown (brief) — required
There are two separate due dates — one for the
customized destruction, and another for the debris/pyro addition.
Goals
This assignment will focus on the student using DOPs to destroy a statue (or
similar object). Apply the lessons learned for fracturing to produce a believable
destruction simulation.
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.
Requirements
- Apply fracturing techniques from class. You are not required to use a customized
fracture — the newer material-specific tools are excellent and acceptable.
- Both Boolean and Voronoi fractures are
acceptable.
- If time permits, add smoke (pyro) and debris
(particles) — the tools are set up to do this more easily and are
highly encouraged.
- Reference is required and must be approved.
These are the minimum requirements.
Considerations
This is an introductory exercise to become familiar with destruction in Houdini.
The goal is to make the animation as believable as possible.
A simple object/scene properly executed is better than a complex project that is
not completed.
Submission Guidelines
Submit a directory named:
S26_V428_E4_LastnameFirstname_RBD/
S26_V428_E4_LastnameFirstname_RBD/
├── S26_V428_E4_LastnameFirstname_RBD.hipnc
├── S26_V428_E4_LastnameFirstname_RBD.pdf
├── S26_V428_E4_LastnameFirstname_RBD.jpg
└── S26_V428_E4_LastnameFirstname_RBD.mp4
This directory must contain:
- S26_V428_E4_LastnameFirstname_RBD.hipnc
- S26_V428_E4_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_E4_LastnameFirstname_RBD.jpg
— beauty shot.
Note: always render to EXR;
convert to JPG/PNG using mplay, Photoshop, or IrfanView.
- S26_V428_E4_LastnameFirstname_RBD.mp4
— minimum 10 seconds of animation, high-quality H.264 compression. Any file
> 1 GB will not be accepted. Use Handbrake (free, Windows) with H264x codec.
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 destruction believable and well-executed?
- Is the fracturing approach appropriate for the object chosen?
- Have you included approved reference material?
- Is your breakdown PDF clear, covering both viewer and technical perspectives?
Pushing further:
- Add smoke (pyro) and debris (particles) for full effect.
- Go beyond the specifications — demonstrate exploration and understanding.
- Excellent look development (lighting, texturing, rendering).
- A less complex setup that is properly executed is better than one that is too
complicated and not completed.