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:

Solver Madness is a Houdini course focusing on creating sophisticated dynamic effects. Students will explore methods for chaining, layering, and combining simulations using Sopsolvers, FLIP fluids, Pyro, VDB advection, and multiple POP simulations. The course covers techniques for transforming geometry into effervescent bubbles and shaping FLIP fluids through surface advection. Participants will learn to build efficient, art-directable simulations that leverage a wide range of Houdini's solvers. This hands-on course emphasizes practical application and creative problem-solving in design and visual effects creation.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of Solver Madness, students will gain comprehensive knowledge of advanced simulation techniques in Houdini. They will be able to design and implement complex, multi-solver effects with improved efficiency and artistic control. Participants will develop skills in combining various simulation types, optimizing workflows, and creating sophisticated visual outcomes. Students will also enhance their ability to troubleshoot and iterate on complex simulations effectively.

Course curriculum

    1. Files

    2. Discord

    1. Session 1 Outline

    2. Presentation

    3. Session 1 Full Raw Video

    1. Session 2 Outline

    2. Session 2 Full Raw Video

    1. Session 3 Outline

    2. Session 3 Full Raw Video

    3. Submit your work

Solver Madness

  • $120.00
  • 5.5 hours of video content

Course Teaser

Session 1

Fundamentals of Advanced Simulations

This session introduces core concepts for building complex effects. Students will explore setting up a Sopsolver growth system, learn efficient sourcing methods for FLIP, Pyro, and POP simulations, and delve into Pyro and volume velocity advection techniques, along with setting up custom global controls. The focus will be on establishing a strong foundation for layering and controlling multiple simulation types.

  • Growth system with the Solver SOP
  • Building global control panels
  • Efficient sourcing methods for FLIP, Pyro, and POP simulation
  • Pyro and volume velocity advection
  • Cache management with PDG
Session 2

Particle Control and Optimization

The second session emphasizes granular control over particle behavior using POP Wrangles and VEX expressions. Students will learn to set up rules for emitting secondary particles and control geometry attributes with Copy to Point loops. The session also covers techniques for setting up fast color-coded previewing to enhance efficiency in revisions and iterations.

  • Control particle behavior with POP Wrangles and VEX expressions
  • POP Replicate for emitting secondary particles
  • Working with Copy to Point loops
  • Setting up fast color-coded previewing for efficient revisions and iterations
Session 3

Advanced Techniques and Rendering

In the final session, students will explore VDB meshing, combining, and caching techniques. They will implement techniques learned in prior lessons to build a setup that shapes FLIP fluids to geometry using VDB surface advection and creates a variation of the effervescent bubble effect. The session concludes with an introduction to rendering in Solaris/Karma XPU, tying together the concepts learned throughout the course into a complete workflow.

  • VDB meshing, combining, and caching
  • Shaping FLIP fluids to geometry with VDB surface advection
  • Rendering in Solaris/Karma XPU

Instructor

Andrew Weiler

CG Artist

Andrew Weiler is a CG Artist with a focus on innovative design and VFX, having worked both as a freelancer and at studios including Rhythm & Hues, Warner Media, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Over the course of his career, he has built a reputation for crafting powerful imagery for a wide array of global brands, sports franchises, and networks such as Ford, Nissan, Sony, Geico, Cartoon Network, WB, the NHL, and the NBA. Andrew is also passionate about audio-reactive generative art, and in his spare time, he records and releases ambient synth-wave music.

LinkedIn Instagram Vimeo Website

WHAT YOU NEED TO TAKE THIS COURSE

  1. Computer (Please see SideFX system requirements)
  2. Houdini (Apprentice License is free)
  3. Install SideFX Labs

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!