Course Overview

Hands-on Workshop

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All live classes are recorded and posted within 1-2 business days.
Saturday, October 4th, 2025, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm PDT
Saturday, October 11th, 2025 11:00 am - 1:00 pm PDT


Class Description:

This course provides a typical example of the start-to-end workflow of processing, importing, and rendering scientific data for a cinematic scientific visualization in Houdini. The example dataset used in this course is a scientific model of a galaxy that formed similarly to the Milky Way, which was computed on NSF supercomputers by Dr. Nathan Goldbaum. The course will demonstrate an approach to interpreting volumetric and particle data using Python, how to build a Houdini scene file that preserves the data integrity, and how to render it in a documentary style.

Learning Outcomes:

Students will know how to find scientific data, how to work through the process of understanding and interpreting a scientific dataset, and have access to some tools that can be used to translate data in a way that it can be used in Houdini. They will also understand some of the goals and constraints of trying to accurately represent scientific information visually, and some strategies for maintaining scientific legitimacy when constructing and rendering a Houdini scene.

Course Materials

    1. Discord

    1. Session 1 Outline

    1. Session 2 Outline

Working with Astronomical Datasets

  • $75.00
Session 1

Manipulating Scientific Data

In this session, we will build a computing environment that will allow us to interpret the data. We will understand how the data is organized and how this is representative of other scientific datasets. Then we will create geometry files that can be read into Houdini.

  • Defining Scientific Visualization
  • Data Interpretation
  • Data Translation
  • Importing The Data
Session 2

Rendering Scientific Data

In this session, we will build a full Houdini scene file as if we were designing a hero shot for a documentary. Both volumetric and particle data will be assembled and rendered in a way that maintains scientific integrity and looks cinematic.

  • Scene Design With Data Integrity
  • Shading Star Particles
  • Shading Volumetric Data
  • Rendering The Scene

Instructor

Andrew Christensen

Senior Visualization Designer

AJ Christensen is a Senior Visualization Designer at NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio (SVS), where he creates data-driven imagery for analysis and public outreach, develops visualization tools and pipelines, and researches science communication through digital media. He has contributed to dozens of visualizations featured in government briefings, scientific publications, and on the NASA SVS web database (https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov ), reaching media, educators, and science centers worldwide. His work draws on data from Earth and space sensors, supercomputer simulations, and statistical models, with a focus on 3D volumetric data and connecting scientific software to Houdini. Previously, he worked at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications’ Advanced Visualization Lab on full-dome science documentaries and the IMAX films Hubble 3D and A Beautiful Planet, and at DNEG on Interstellar, which won the 2015 Academy Award for visual effects. He holds degrees in computer science and science learning from the University of Illinois.

LinkedIn Website Website

WHAT YOU NEED TO TAKE THIS COURSE

  • A computer (see SideFX system requirements)
  • Houdini (Apprentice version is free)
  • A second monitor (recommended)
  • Optional: Headphones, microphone, webcam for interactive participation
  • (Student license available for $75/year. Email [email protected] for details.)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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REFUND POLICY:


Live-Session Courses
Students may request a refund up to 1 day before the start of the course. Students may also withdraw from Live-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!