Course Overview

Please note: This class is currently being edited into small clips and will replace the raw footage that is currently available for viewing. 

Class Description:

In this beginner-friendly class, you'll learn how to create realistic fur for a cat head in Houdini. We’ll walk you through easy-to-follow steps using nodes like the Guide Groom and Hair Generate to shape, style, and refine the fur with techniques like combing, clumping, or adding frizz. You’ll also get hands-on experience with shading using the Karma Hair Shader and rendering with Karma. Whether you're new to Houdini or just getting started with grooming, this class will guide you every step of the way to create natural-looking fur.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this class, you'll be able to create and style realistic fur on a 3D cat model in Houdini. You’ll learn how to use grooming tools and understand how to add details and refine them for a natural look. You’ll also gain skills in shading fur with the Karma Hair Shader and setting up a basic render in Karma. Overall, you’ll have a solid foundation in grooming techniques and be ready to apply them to your own projects.


Course curriculum

    1. Files

    2. Discord

    3. Grooming in Houdini by Shanna Alcide

    1. Session 1 Outline

    2. Session Full Raw Video

    3. Submit your work

Fur Grooming Basics

  • $45.00
  • 1 hour of video content

Course Teaser

Session 1

Fur Creation 101: Grooming a Cat Head in Houdini

In this beginner-friendly session, you’ll learn the essentials of grooming in Houdini by creating realistic fur for a cat head. We’ll cover the entire process step-by-step, including how to use grooming tools to shape fur, add details such as clumps and frizz, and refine the overall look By the end of this session, you’ll have a strong foundation in Houdini grooming and be able to apply it to your own 3D characters.

  • Introduction to Houdini Grooming
  • Setting Up the Cat Head Model
  • Creating and Shaping Fur Guides
  • Refining the Fur with Clumping and Frizz
  • Lighting and Rendering

Instructor

Shanna Alcide

CFX Artist

Shanna Alcide is a CFX Artist with a focus on grooming and simulation, but she has also worked in technical animation and other areas of the pipeline. She has spent over six years in the film and animation industry. With proficiency in a diverse range of technical disciplines, including rigging, skinning, grooming, and simulation, her strong programming background in Python, C++, and VEX enables her to efficiently tackle complex challenges and adapt quickly to new workflows. She has worked with various companies including Hornet, ON Animation Studios Montreal, ReDefine, Framestore, and The Mill.

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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.

Refund a Class
Please send a request to get a refund 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

See you in Class!