Houdini | Attributes

June 18th 2022 08:00:46am

Attributes is a foundational bit of knowledge needed to successfully building projects in Houdini.

In this recorded class, you will focus on building your core knowledge, demystifying Attributes, discussing how to create them, and most importantly explaining how they are integrated into Houdini.

Class topics include basic Geometry components, clarification of the terminology, different creation & management methods, as well as exploration of differences between VEX, HScript, and Python.

After this class, you will have a clearer understanding of how to build attributes, troubleshoot common issues, and extract the data you need for your projects.

Class Syllabus

Session 1 | Foundations
This session will focus on the core foundations of understanding geometry components, what attributes actually are, their classes and types, as well as the precedence the data order takes.

Meet the Instructor
Resources
The Project File

Overview
Points
Primitives
Winding Order
Points and Vertices (1)
Points and Vertices (2)
Points and Vertices (3)

Overview
Details
Attributes in Houdini
Traveling Attributes
Required and Optional Attributes

Classes and Types
Attribute Types
Dictionaries
Matrices
Vectors
Arrays

Attribute Precedence
Demonstration (1)
Demonstration (2)
Additional Example

Overview
Filtering

Overview
Viewing the Spreadsheet
Demonstration

Overview
Volume
Geometry
Velocity
Color

Session 2 | Reading, Writing, and Organization
This session will focus on reading and understanding attribute data in the Geometry Spreadsheet, what Intrinsics are and how they can be accessed, what attributes are NOT, VEX, VOPs, HScript, Python, Local and Global variables, as well as the creation methods available to customize your own attribute data.

Resources
The Attribute List

Variables
Demonstration
Scripting
HScript
Python
Hython
VEX

Overview
VEX Attributes
VEX Variables
Naming

Overview
Attribute Create (1)
Attribute Create (2)
Attributes in VOPs
Loops for Dictionaries
Other Data Types in VOP
The Adjust Node
Attribute Wrangle
Python
General Python Format
Python Dictionaries and Data
General Python Nodes

Overview
Node Order
Destroy, Blend, Transfer
Attribute VOP
Basic Attribute Wrangle
Advanced Wrangle
Single Parameter
Parameter Loop
Strings
Python

Overview
Attribute Blur
Attribute Combine
Attribute Copy
Attribute Delete
Attribute Expression
Attribute Interpolate
Attribute Fade
Attribute from Map
Attribute from Volume
Attribute Mirror
Attribute Noise
Attribute Remap
Attribute Rename
Attribute Orient
Connectivity
Measure
Partition Setup

Overview
Read and Write
Creating a Global Variable
Deleting Local Variables
Packaging Variables
Global Attributes
Local Attributes
Attributes from Variables
Uses for Local Variables
Local Variable with VEX
Attribute Parameters
Important Notes

Session 3 | Native Attributes
This session will focus on reviewing and using native attributes Houdini provides, and in some cases requires to perform various simulation tasks. Lots of example builds will be shown, including RBD, FLIP, Vellum, and Crowds.