Houdini 20.0: 2 new training courses to become an expert

By Félix Poncelet-Marsan | In partnership with Le Lien Multimédia

2024-05-20

Deepen your knowledge of Houdini 20.0 software with expert Vincent Fortin.

In collaboration with École NAD-UQAC, SYNTHÈSE invites you to discover two new training courses: Houdini 20.0 – Vellum Specialization and Houdini 20.0 – FLIP Oceans and Fluids Specialization. These free and exclusive training courses are available on the EXPERTS online learning platform.

Discover on EXPERTS

Active for twenty-five years in the visual effects and animation industry, technical artist Vincent Fortin continues his educational efforts on SYNTHÈSE's EXPERTS platform by offering two training courses on Houdini, his tool of choice.

Vincent Fortin, freelance FX artist, Houdini trainer, and Houdini lecturer at NAD-UQAC School | PHOTO: LinkedIn Vincent Fortin

The man who worked on the visual effects for major productions such as “Pacific Rim,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and “Game of Thrones” goes so far as to say that he owes all these contracts to his knowledge of how this software works, a skill he developed on his own over several years of experience. Le Lien MULTIMÉDIA went to meet him.

Houdini: A game changer for digital creation professionals

“For me, in my career, there really is a ‘before’ and ‘after’ Houdini,” says Vincent Fortin. I always say this to anyone who will listen, and I think it's true for a lot of people. Ten or fifteen years ago in Quebec, we did things a certain way, with Maya, Softimage... They're all good software programs, but Houdini came along with a completely different method, a different way of doing things. Back then, just like today, you had to be open to change.

Vincent Fortin offers two EXPERTS training courses on the platform of the same name powered by SYNTHÈSE, each dealing with a specialization of version 20.0 of Houdini, developed by the Toronto-based company SideFX. The first training course focuses on the FLIP method, which allows users to employ advanced techniques for generating dynamic and realistic water and fluid movements. The second focuses on learning the Vellum system, which includes tools for simulating soft bodies, such as fabrics, hair, and skin, among others.

Formation Houdini 20.0 – Spécialisation FLIP Océans et fluides

“Both subjects deal with physical simulations that are related to all disciplines in 3D animation in our industry,” comments the trainer. “This profession is a bit of a mix between art and science, because we do work with physical models, but we still have to create beautiful and original things. So we have to be both creative and realistic in our approach.”

A popular tool in the video game industry

The digital artist notes that Houdini is becoming increasingly important in the visual effects and animation industry, to the point where its use is no longer limited to film or television projects. The video game industry is also making greater use of this technology, as are the graphic animation and events industries. Vincent Fortin has therefore sought to make his training courses as accessible as possible, so that any VFX specialist can learn new aspects of the software according to their needs.

"I designed my training courses as beginner courses: they are really an introduction for someone who has never used Houdini before. But I still find them quite comprehensive, because they cover all the features of the software. A beginner can come away with comprehensive skills if they are motivated enough. On the other hand, those who are more experienced can also take a look and come away having learned something new. Everything is built module by module, in well-organized videos that are no longer than thirty minutes. It's easy to expand your knowledge this way."

Formation Houdini 20.0 – Spécialisation Vellum

Adapting to Houdini's evolution: a must for experienced users

Finally, Vincent Fortin reminds regular Houdini users that the software is constantly evolving and that its developer, SideFX, adds new features on a regular basis, up to twice a year. Recently, the software's interface has changed so much that it is almost unrecognizable compared to previous versions. The trainer emphasizes that his training courses are based on this new interface and encourages those familiar with the old interface to take an interest in it in order to stay up to date.

"The same features are there, but the methodology is completely different. Old-timers like me learned Houdini using the first method, which was more open and complex. It's a bit like learning Latin and then suddenly having to switch to Italian. Purists—and I know plenty of them!—will say they have no reason to use the new interface and will reject this reform. But the world is changing, more and more people are adopting this simplified method, and SideFX is increasingly encouraging it. I think even the old-schoolers should take a look at it, see how it works, so they don't feel pressured."

Develop your skills with EXPERTS

To make sure you don't miss out on these two new training courses, simply register now on the EXPERTS online learning platform, developed by SYNTHÈSE.

Registration is free and reserved exclusively for professionals from member studios of: La Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec, BCTQ, and Xn Québec. The platform is also accessible free of charge to recent graduates of a digital creation training program from a public higher education institution in Quebec for one year after graduation.

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