Connect SolidMeta Forge with Houdini Core

1 min read

Table of Contents

Introduction #

This tutorial will guide you through the process of setting up your environment in Houdini 19.5 and initiating your first project with SolidMeta Forge.

Requirements #

  • Houdini 19.5 installed on your system
  • SolidMeta Forge installed on your system

How to connect Forge with Houdini automatically #

coming soon!

How to connect Forge with Houdini manually #

Setting Up the Environment #

Configure Forge for Houdini:

  • Go to the ‘Edit’ menu.
  • Select ‘Settings’.
  • Enter the path into the “Houdini” field: C:/Program Files/Side Effects Software/Houdini 19.5.403 (example)
  • Click ‘Install’ and then ‘OK’ to save your settings.

Launch Houdini Application:

  • Start Houdini either by clicking the “Start Houdini” button below the menu in Forge or start it using your operating system.
  • Inside Houdini, add the “Solid Meta: Slim” shelf by clicking the “plus” button to the right of the existing shelf tabs and under “Shelves” selecting “Solid Meta: Slim”

    Creating a New Project #

    Start a New Project:

    • Click on the ‘File’ menu.
    • Select ‘New Project’.
    • Give your Project a Name
    • Choose a project path according to your preference (a project folder with the given name will be created at this location).
    • (Optionally) Select ‘Import Structure’ and choose a folder, that contains one or more subfolders with model files in them (the subfolders will become model groups in your project).
    • Click ‘OK’ to create the new project.

      Using SolidMeta Forge with Houdini #

      Initialize SolidMeta Forge:

      • Open an existing Forge project or create a new one
      • Start Houdini either by clicking the “Start Houdini” button below the menu in Forge or start it using your operating system.

      Connect Houdini to Forge:

      • In Houdini, in the “Solid Meta: Slim” shelf, click the “SolidSlim” shelf tool.
      • A node will be created in the Network Editor.
      • In the Network Editor, select the newly created node.
      • In the Parameter View, click ‘Connect to Forge’.

      Importing and Viewing Models:

      • In Forge, Inside the “Project Editor” right-click into the left panel
      • Select ‘Add Category’
      • Right-click the newly created category
      • Select ‘Add Group’
      • Right-click the newly created group
      • Select ‘Add Model(s)’, choose the model(s) you want to work with and click the ‘Open’ button.
      • Select the group in the left panel, to show the model(s) inside that group in the left panel
      • Select a model in the right panel and press ‘Space’ to view the model in Houdini.
      • Switch to Houdini to see the 3D model (Use the keyboard shortcut ‘F’ to frame the model in your viewport).

        Great job! You’ve set up your first project in Forge with Houdini. Now, try adding different models and playing around with the settings.

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