Course Overview

Class Description:

In this recorded one-session course, we will focus on generating surreal and parametric terrains using Heightfield inside Houdini. Students will learn how to make abstract and visually captivating terrains, dunes, and cracks, which they can freely apply in different systems in their creative projects.

At the end of the session, we will aim at making a short simulation to show the strata and the erosion process which concludes the course in complete visual storytelling.


Learning Outcomes:

Students will leave this class with a fundamental and broad understanding of how they can generate realistic landscapes and terrains and have a deeper understanding of erosion and how it is simulated inside Heightfields so they can apply it on different platforms and on various creative projects, like unreal engine and similar.  

Course curriculum

    1. Files

    2. Discord

    1. 1. Session Introduction

    2. 2. Course Outline

    3. 3. Inspirations

    4. 4. Preview of Course Results

    5. 5. Chantal’s Work

    1. 1. Creating your First Heightfield

    2. 2. Adding and Distorting a Pattern

    3. 3. Adding a Second Pattern

    4. 4. Eroding the Terrain

    5. 5. Recap of the Setup

    1. 1. Starting a New Heightfield

    2. 2. Adding 3 Layers of Noise

    3. 3. Creating Plataues and Terraces

    4. 4. Exporting the Heightfield

    5. 5. Recap of the Setup

    1. 1. Starting with a new Noise

    2. 2. Distorting the Heightfield

    3. 3. Inspiration from the Badlands

    4. 4. Reframing the Terrain

    5. 5. Creating a Plateau and Terraces

    6. 6. Eroding the Terrain

    7. 7. Creating and Exporting a Flow Field

    8. 8. Q&A: Could you also render a sequence?

    9. 9. Recap and Work using these Principles

    1. 1. Creating a Heightfield from an Image

    2. 2. Adding Noise

    3. 3. Preview of Render and Recap

About this course

  • $75.00
  • 39 lessons
  • 1.5 hours of video content

Course Teaser

Heightfield Introduction

Introduction to Heightfield, interface, tools, examples, and references

The session will cover examples and references from the natural world, and learning the basics and interface of heightfield inside Houdini.

  • Introduction
  • References
  • Dive into Heightfield interface
Heightfield Noises

Dive into heightfield and understand different noise applications. Adding more resolution gradually.

The session will cover a further understanding of building terrains and adding more noises and layers to start getting resolution.

  • Noises application
  • Terraces application
  • Pleateaux application
Heightfield Erosion and Export

Dive into the natural erosion process and export the final outcome.

The session will cover the natural erosion process inside Houdini and its application on our terrain. We will also run the erosion simulation towards the end of the process. In the end, we will export the outcome from Houdini as an object to be used in different platforms.

  • Erosion Application
  • Exporting from Houdini the final outcome

Instructor

Chantal Matar

Architectural Designer and Generative Designer

Chantal Matar is an Architectural Designer and Generative Designer who works at the intersection of mixed media and architecture. Since graduating, Chantal has worked with various international architecture firms, such as Zaha Hadid Architects, Anouska Hempel Design, and Bernard Khoury Architects. Her Generative Design Agenda is highly influenced by art, geology, media, cinema, and music. Chantal has been teaching at various institutes, such as UCL the Bartlett School Of Architecture, DesignMorphine, and Middle East Architecture Lab since 2020. She has recently participated in international exhibitions such as Galerie Fractal in Paris and the Venice Biennale, Italian Pavillion. Blending her long experience in architectural design and knowledge of digital tools, Chantal aims her exploration at alien landscapes, linear formations, and digital strata that lie on the threshold of spatial chaos and structural continuum.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO TAKE THIS COURSE

  1. Computer (Please see SideFX system requirements)
    1. https://www.sidefx.com/Support/system-requirements/
    2. A second monitor is recommended, but not necessary
  2. Houdini (Apprentice License is free)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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REFUND POLICY:


Multi-Session Courses
Students may request a refund up to 1 day before the start of the course. Students may also withdraw from Multi-Session Courses at any time and are entitled to a pro-rated refund. The withdrawal date must be 1 day before the next class they intend to drop.

On-Demand Courses
All on-demand courses are non-refundable.

How to Drop a Class
Please send a request to drop a class via email to [email protected].
Your written request to drop any or all of your classes must include:
  1. Student’s full name
  2. Name of the course(s) being dropped

Testimonials

“Superb class! Thank you again @Chantal”

Vic Garcia

“@Chantal Thanks again for this class. Really great information, and creative uses. I love abstract forms like this, and blending organic into it really brings a lot to the final pieces. Beautiful work. Thanks again.”

David Torno

See you in Class!