Do you use the Houdini Apprentice HD program?

#1 I am not real familiar with Houdini yet. I like the approach they use with the Nodes, it's similar to LightWave pages but is much more powerful.

All I can say is I am glad I bought it and my learning continues. I have watched some of their training videos that are free on their site, but some are incomplete in that you can watch the first part but the rest are not viewable. It's could be that it's just my system or drivers.
In any case I am looking to spend far more for their training DVD's then I did for the Apprentice HD.

I am told the exporter in Houdini is superior to others in similar modeling software, so all the more reason to get to know it very well.

Besides, can't go wrong with the License for Apprentice HD if your using Torque.

#2 I found out today they have a free version you can download called the "Learning Edition" so I downloaded it to see if this modeler is everything they say it is. I'll post back here what I find.

Always~
Vickie ;)

#3 Houdini looks very capable, node/procedural is different though. Checking out the "Learning Edition" as well, full features - no cost: )

Moving away from gS/tS too? : |

#4 No, I use GS/TS for most of everything I make, what I am looking for is a better animation system, one I don't have to chop off my arm to pay for if you know what I mean. I need to find a way to make animations that don't look so stiff and more fluid.

Always~
Vickie ;)

#5 I use Houdini for DTS modelling.
I am utterly impressed. It's a beast of a program. (In the good sense)
Takes some getting-used-to and tinkering around with the exporter, but for the price I think it's the best way to go, hands down.

#6 Houdini HD is truly amazing. It suprises me that it's not as well used or known as other packages.

Perhaps it is more a matter of learning the "nature of the beast" ( Houdini ) that puts people off.. That and the lack of content packages specifically made for Houdini in terms of content packs or character models.

I have tried Lightwave, 3DMax, Maya, and Silo trial versions.
I purchased Milkshape, Hexagon, and Houdini HD Apprentice.

For some reason, only Houdini HD make sense to me. The logical approach and ease to go back to any step and modify parts if I wish was just one selling point for me.

I have had better results using Houdini as a beginner than any of the other software I listed above, and I didn't even get to watch the Training videos yet.

There is a DVD Tutorial for beginners that covers everything we need to know.
www.3dbuzz.com/xcart/product.php?productid=61

Other training videos go further into detail for certian aspects.
Today I purchased the first DVD set: "Houdini FastTrack" finally.. I have been waiting to buy.