How to find stuff


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houdini shortcuts
 

===============================================================

    alt + left/right arrow  go to new network view (mat/out usw)

    alt  + mouse            rotate in space
    alt + middle mouse      drag in space

    s                       select
    t                       move
    e                       scale
    r                       rotate

    y                       cut network line

    space + h               frame active object

    tab                     add node, open node menu, tab menu
    shift + enter           place node and automatically connect them

    space + mouse           rotate zoom usw
    space                   in nodes paneo: to pan
    1/2/3                   switch between point selection/object selection modes
    p                       to show parameters for nodes
    space 123               pers/front/back/side views

    d                       in viewport, for display options 

    w                       wireframe
    shift w                 shaded

    m                       toggle between object/world axis mode

    x                       to show snapping options

    space + 1               perspective view
    space + 2               top view
    space + 3               front view
    space + 4               right view
    space + 5               UV view mode

    radio menus             (tab is faster and works in viewport too....)
    c                       pie menu in perspective view
    x                       snapping
    v                       viewport

    navigate networks
    i       go down
    u       go up
    p       toggle parameters

    nodes
    u/i                     go into node / leave node
    shift + o               make a visual collapsable group of nodes
    c                       color box, to colorize nodes
        
    ...more                 edit -> shortcuts

    crtl + node drag        moves bottom part of nodes
    shift + node drag       moves the top part of nodes



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macOX display prefs
 

    houdini settings -> change to HiDPI
    macOS system settings -> displays -> larger text



display settings
 

    in nodes pane -> view -> display options
        Chose node size -> never show node ring

    view -> uncheck show custom node check




select modes
 

    oben rechts menu icons
    select front and back facing (= select only visible)
    primitives = polygons



brush select
 

    scroll middle mouse button to increase/decrease



pivot tumbling
 

    mouse over any point and hit space+Z
    (now it rotates around that point!)



align handle to world/object/component
 

    select polys to move -> rightclick on handle -> component




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redshift settings
 


    exclude object from light

        on a light -> objects tab -> 
            check Enable Light-Mesh Associations
            them select object to exclude/include


    groupname in nodename

        put this in Group Name:

            ` opname('.')`

        then just rename node


    pass point color

        in MAT context, add RS Material Builder
        before, add RS Material and connect outputColor with Surface 
        before RS Material add RS Color User Data node
            Attribute name: Cd

            connect out with diffuse color


    bump maps

        in MAT context, add RS Material Builder
        before, add RS Material and connect outputColor with Surface 
        add RS BUMP MAP node
        add RS noise node (or RS Texture node)
            temporarely connect to surface of last node to see changes
            coordinates tab -> Overall scale: 400
                play with scale to get lines, brushmarks

            combine 2 noise nodes with RS color composite node


    create wood

        in MAT context, add RS Material builder
        add RS Material node at beginning
        add RS texture node, plug into RS_material diffuse channel
        add RS normal map node, plug into bump channel of output node
        for bump, add another RS texture node and feed into roughness

        for previewing simply connect to surface of OUTNODE!
        add RS color correct nodes for adjusting EVERYTHING!
            goes in between rstexture nodes and rsmaterial nodes!!
    

    blend/layer materials

        add RS material node
        add 2 rs texture nodes in front
        add rs material blender node and connect them

        to get alpha, add RS color splitter after rstexturenode
            select OutA for the Alpha


    create rosty metal

        add rsmaterial builder node
        add 2 rsmaterial nodes
        then add rsmaterial blender node
        blend both with noise node
        


    scene setups

        add materials in MAT context
            MAT -> Material -> Reflections: Samples 256

        to add redshift tab to camera, just select camera
            and click CamParams from shelf

        environment light = RSLightDome

        RSlight -> Light tab -> Samples: 256



    render settings



        ROPredshift node

            IPR tab -> uncheck IPR progressiv rendering
            (to get same preview in viewport as rendering to disc)
            
            Redshift tab -> settings tab -> sampling options 
                Max Samples: 128
                (this removes DOF blur)

            Redshift tab -> Motion blur -> enable
            
            

    install redshift for houdini in windows10

            download and install redshift
            
            then open C:\Users\USERNAME\Documents\houdini17.5\houdini.env

            go to C:\ProgramData\Redshift\Plugins\Houdini
                then find right version

            add this:

                HOUDINI_DSO_ERROR = 2

                PATH = "C:\ProgramData\Redshift\bin;$PATH"
                HOUDINI_PATH = "C:\ProgramData\Redshift\Plugins\Houdini\17.5.360;&"

            [then connect to internet so license can be automatically installed]

            then open houdini -> top right click -> shelves -> redshift

            add box, click renderview/IPR to test













render multiple versions/takes
 

    in ROP render node: Render Frame Range Only (Strict)

    ... add several ROP render nodes ... with different takes for lights

    after each, add batch node 

    connect batch nodes with merge node

    (in redshift maybe uncheck Non-blocking Current Rendering)











NVIDIA Denoiser
 

    Render -> Download NVIDIA OptiX Denoiser
    mantra node -> Images tab -> output tab
        pixel filter: NVIDIA OptiX Denoiser

    Rendering tab -> Sampling
        Noise Level: 0.1

    Start Render and click white sphere icon

    Attention: this is NOT stable across frames, so it doesn't 
    work for animation, each frame will denoise differently and 
    create a flickering!!








set houdini TEMP path for cache, scratch volume
 

    MacOS

        /Users/USERNAME/Library/Preferences/houdini/17.5/houdini.env



        HOUDINI_TEMP_DIR = '/SOME_TEMP_PATH_HERE/;&'



    Windows 10
        rightclick on ThisPC -> properties -> advanced system settings
            Environment variables


        HOUDINI_TEMP_DIR        E:\HOUDINI_TEMP_PATH













sculpt tool
 

    add grid node
    add sculpt node
    shift + drag to INCREASE/DECREASE radius
    the use LMB und middle mouse button to sculpt
    add smooth node at the end







fluids
 


    adjust boundaries of FLIP

        AutoDopnetwork -> click on flipsolver
            then adjust box


    falling fluid

        add box
        click particle fluids tab -> FLIP fluid from object
        go into autodopNetwork

        add popwind node and add it to second input of flipsolver
            wind velocity: 0 2 0
            amplitude: 1

        add pop axis node and add it to second input of flipsolver
            speed tab
                orbit: 3
                lift: 3
                suction: 1

        add merge node before the flipsolver to use wind AND axis tool
                

    initial speed, flowing/pouring fluids

        add box
        click particle fluids tab -> FLIP fluid from object
        go into autodopNetwork
        flipfluidobject -> check initialize velocity: 4   5   0


    change initial shape

        create box/torus usw
        autodopnetwork -> flipfluidobject -> SOP path


    change bouding box size

        DOPnetwork -> flipsolver -> volume motion tab -> box size


    make bouding box fill up like container

        DOPnetwork -> flipfluidobject -> check Closed Boundaries

        

    emit fluid from object

        add box
        select box (with black select arrow icon)
        particle fluids -> Emit particle fluid



    RUN water over square or fill CUP object 

        add tube and extrude it for cup

        add sphere over the box, select it
        particle fluid tab -> Emit Particle Fluid

        then select collision object (=cup)
        Collisions tab -> surface collider

        DOPnetwork -> StaticObject
            Collisions tab -> RDB Solver tab -> Surface tab
                check Show Collision Radius
                Collision Radius: 0.005

        DOPnetwork -> fluidObject
            check closed Boundaries
            Particle Separation: 0.05
            Particle Radius Scale: 1


        add wind

            after flipsolver, add multisolver
            connect flipfluidObject to multisolver input1
            connect popwind to multisolver input2


        src

            https://forums.odforce.net/topic/21976-basic-glass-fill/



    fluid container

        add FLIP tank object

        add popwind node inside AutoDopNetwork
            feed it into 2nd input of flipsolver
            Amplitude: 2
            Swirl size: 2

        add sphere, select it

        rigid body tab -> RBD object
            (this turns sphere into an dynamic object)

        collisions tab -> ground plane


        float box in this fluid setup:

            add box and select it
            container tab -> embed in fluid
            go into box geo network -> add pack node before dopimport
                (so points don't get distorted)


    super fast fill of lake in landscape

        landscape:
            add grid 
            add sculpt node
            add smooth node
        
        make sure nothing is selected
            watch normal direction!!!!! also for surface level grid

        particle fluid shelf -> sculpted particle fluid

        then first select the water level plane,
            after that the landscape plane


    riverbed flow

        riverbed geo:
            add grid 
            add sculpt node
            add smooth node

        add sphere, name it emitter, select it

        particle fluids tab -> emit particles
            just hit ENTER (outside of riverbed)

        select riverbed -> rigid body tab -> terrain object


    thick viscosity fluid

        (viscousity needs to be adjusted globally!)
        same initial setup as riverbed
        particle fluids tab -> make viscous
            then select fluid

        flipsolver -> viscosity tab -> viscosity scale: 10'000

        then just move the emitter back and forth
            to create cream


    toothpaste cutter

        add groundplane (collisions tab)

        add cutter object
            collisions tab -> static

        add tube, select it
            particle fluids tab -> flip fluid from object

        particle fluids tab -> make viscous
            then select fluid tube in viewport


        to visualize in viewport

            flipfluidObject -> guides tab -> visualization
                enable surface 
            

            or


            go to [generated] fluidObject
            and enable RENDER node at the end
            (this switch from DOP visualization data to mesh)


        fine tuning

            DOPnetwork -> flipfluidobject
                Particle separation: 0.03


    turn emitter on/off

        Source Volume -> Activation: $FF<190








emit particles from an object
 


    add particles

        add torus 

        shelf -> particles -> Source Particle Emitter



    add forces

        uncheck gravity, to make the fly sideways
        
        select particles source node 

        then click -> particles shelf -> wind 

        popwindnode -> Amplitute: 1 (add noise)
            wind velocity: set direction here



    adjust numbers of particles

        go into DOP network -> source node -> birth tab
            birth rate: 5000 (particles every second)
            life expectancy: 2 (seconds)
            life variance: 1 (+/- 1 second variance)



    instancing objects

        add another geo object (platonic solid)
            type: soccerball

        pop source -> birth rate: 100

        select platonic object in network view

        then in particles tab click instance geometry

        in source particles 
            add instance node
                (now it should show up...)
            
            add unpack node to create actual geo







create a spiral, helix
 

    add curve node, vertical with 2 points

    add resample node
        uncheck max. length
        segments: 100

    add point(old!) node
        values:  sin($PT/$NPT * 360 * 5)     $PT/$NPT     cos($PT/$NPT * 360 * 5)

    then add another resample node
        check max segm
        Treat Polygon As: Interpolating Curves


    src

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XceGQIr8cqc








curves (without Edit SOPs)
 


    draw curve

        add curves node
        rightclick on curve -> stop building curve (when done)


    move points

        just click on points and move them
        (don't use edit SOP)


    add points

        holding shift and clicking on curve
        (maybe first rightclick on curve -> stop building curve)


        add new points at beginning or end

        just shift click outside of endpoint/startpoint to add new piece
        

    join curves

        add 2 curves
        add merge node
        then in viewport editor add join node


        or

        add fillet curve to join 2 curves with a new segment


    limit curve with flexible end/start points

        add carve node
        use first U and second U to define segment


    src

        https://vimeo.com/40771484 
        












animation and keyframing
 


    get realtime playback

        bottom button -> global animation options -> real time playback


    set keyframe

        alt + LeftMouseButton and click into parameter field


    remove animation/all keyframes from parameter

        rightclick on parameter -> delete channel


    adjust keyframes for (cam) switcher

        add switch node below two cameras
        rightclick on switch parameter -> channels -> select in channel list
        select all points
        top bar -> constant or straight
    

    move object along curve

        add toy object
        add curve, select nurbs in curve type (top bar)
        draw curve and hit ENTER
        
        select object, then Animation shelf -> follow path 
            (first select object, ENTER)
            then select path, ENTER


    move/translate pivot point

        add transform node
        right click on handle -> Pivot Mode


    cache geometry and animation

        obj level -> add file cache node -> write
        add another file cache node -> read
        then disconnect first node and put output flag on file cache read node
        then just work with temporary objects while keyframes are still intakt


        or

            crtl + click to lock last node, so no changes propagate


    render out frames to exr

        in out: file path: motion-cam.$F4.exr


    compositing

        add file node
            read sequence

        add contrast/HSV nodes for color corrections

        add color node for background

        add font node, overlay frame number
            $I is frame number
            layout tab -> set bright color

        connect them all with layer nodes

        add convert node
            16 bit integer

        add ROP File Output node
           Output: $HIPNAME.$F4.tif



    create video with ffmpeg

        macOS:

        ffmpeg -framerate 30 -pattern_type glob -i '*.tif' -start_number 1 -vframes 190  -c:v libx264 -r 30 -pix_fmt yuv420p _out.mp4



        ffmpeg -framerate 25 -pattern_type glob -i '*.tif' -c:v libx264 -r 25 -pix_fmt yuv420p -vf &quot;pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2&quot; _out.mp4

        

        parameters:

            -start_number 1 -vframes 190 (define frame range 1-190)
            -pix_fmt yuv420p (better quality/more colour than RGB)
            -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2"   (divisible error)

        windows 10:
        just open CMD then type:

        E:

        cd /YOUR/PATH/HERE  (just drag it into terminal window)

        ffmpeg -framerate 25 -start_number 3001 -i %04d.tif -c:v libx264 -r 25 -pix_fmt yuv420p _out.mp4

        (assuming animation starts with 3001.tif, 3002.tif etc, glob not supported)


    src

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFg3lB7PCRM
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9YyNeF2RxM
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KHwKVB0vOc











motion camera, tracking on path
 

    add camera node
        press enter in viewport so the handles show up

    click small arrow icon on top of viewport -> split
        then set one on cam1

    in viewport, right click on cam handles for more options
        check persistent, to make handles always visible
        check focus handle to get Depth of Field distance


    look at object

        in camera: constraints field -> look at constraint
            select in viewport the object, ENTER
            next select the null (also in the viewport), ENTER
            deselect, press ENTER a third time (maybe define UP)
        now just move null object


    upvector

        use this to bank/rotate camera to the side
        set it up inside camera constraint, similar to lookat


    depth of field

        in perspective view, rotate to see the cam
        click on camera node, press ENTER
        now there should be a line towards the object
            the first part is the focus, control here!

        set very low f/stop: 0.1

        add null node and name it focusnode
        in focus field -> add this:
            vlength(vtorigin(".","../focusnode"))
            
        in out channel put down mantra node
        mantra1 -> rendering tab -> enable depth of field



    src

        https://vimeo.com/116178120
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DTHE7QdORQ
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFg3lB7PCRM
        https://forums.odforce.net/topic/31259-controlling-focus-distance/







better texture quality
 

    D -> texture tab -> limit resolution -> 4096 x 4096
    view -> clipping -> neither clip, then increate values!










create volumetric 
 

    add geo/file
    add normal node
    add UV texture node
    add _cloud node
    (maybe add cloud noise node)









create mesh/grid/wriststrap
 

    add grid node

    add group range node for alternation pattern
        group type: primitives
        range filter: 1 of 2

    add blast node to delete rest
        (delete group)

    add attribute wrangle node 
        (create point in center of primitives, set normal, remove rest)
        Group Type: Guess from group
        Run Over: primitives
        vex:
            //addpoint(0,@P);
            int newpoint = addpoint(0,@P);
            setpointattrib(0, “N”, newpoint, @N);
            @up = set(0,0,1); 

            removeprim(0,@primnum,1);
    
    add copy stamp node
        and feed geometry and points 


    src

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=118&v=iyZ8dIqJ47U













importing vector from illustrator
 


    importing into houdini

        export SVG from sketch

        open SVG in illustrator

        save as illustrator 8 ai

        in houdini -> add file node

        add transform node -> click move centroid to origin
            
        add color node 

        (if holes are filled, add hole node)

        enable point display

        add convert node
            U: 1
            V: 1

        (if it's just a illustrator line, add ends node)


    splitting into groups

        add polydoctor node
            in topology tab -> check create Manifold Number Attribute

        add partition node
            Rule: manifoldnumber_$manifoldnumber
        
        add assemble node
            group: manifoldnumber_

        add lots of color nodes and assign them to the groups...


    src

        http://www.entagma.com/isocontours-importing-exporting-vectors-tofrom-houdini/
        https://www.sidefx.com/forum/topic/57069/?page=1#post-255752













color variations in IMG/COP network
 

    in IMG context create HSV node (before ROP output node)
        right click on hueshift channel  -> copy paramter 

    adjust ROP output node file name and include
        $WEDGENUM

    in out context, create wedge node
        output driver: /img/comp/rop_comp_wedges
            (select the ROP render node)
        
        add wedge parameter:
            name: farbe
            channel:    ../../img/comp/hsv1/hueshift 
                (paste relative ref. from hueshift channel here)
            range: 0   324
            steps: 10   (creates 10 versions!)

    then click Render Wedges


        




random variations of mesh
 



    add simple mesh

        add circle node
            type: polygon
            divisions: 24
            open arc
            arc angles  0   180

        add copy and transform node
            number  40
            rotate: 1.5 1.1 2
            scale: 1.006

        add skin node
        
        add subdivide
            depth   2

        add normal node

        add transform node


        add copy to points
            feed above tree into it

            second input:
                add circle
                    type: polygon
                    orientation: zx
                    divisions: 3

        add out node




    create 1000 variations

        add top network

        add wedge node
            wedge count: 2 (subdivisions of start/end)

            click +
            atttribute name: rotx
            Start/End: -15  15

        go into mesh node -> copy and transform node 
            enter @rotx into x rotate field

        add another wedge node
            wedge count: 2 (subdivisions of start/end)

            click +
            atttribute name: roty
            Start/End: -15  15

        go into mesh node -> copy and transform node 
            enter @roty into y rotate field

        
        ... same for z .... and shear values too!

        right click on wedge node -> dirty and cook selected node (shift-v)
            now click on points to see permutations :D

        add ROP geometry output node
            SOP path: select the out node of the mesh
            output file:  $HIP/geo/$HIPNAME.$OS.`@wedgeindex`.bgeo.sc
                (middle mouse click on outputfile and wedge points 
                to see values!)

            (create geo folder, where the files should be saved!)

            right click -> dirty and cook selected node (shift -v)


    cache them 

        copy parameter from ROP geometry output 

        in mesh network -> add file node under out node (don't connect)
            paste relative reference



    render them

        add ROP mantra node after ROP geometry outout node in TOP network

        output pictures: $HIP/render/$HIPNAME.$OS.`@wedgeindex`.exr

        right click on mantra node -> shift-v
    
        then so get 1000, just change number 2 to 10 in wedge


    

    create a montage/mosaic


        first set up imagemagick (mac)


            in terminal

                (remove old installation and avoid paths errors ...
                dyld Library not loaded. Reason: image not found)

                brew install imagemagick

                which convert  (to find new path)


            change env file


                vim ~/Library/Preferences/houdini/17.5/houdini.env


                PDG_IMAGEMAGICK="/usr/local/bin/magick" 
                PDG_FFMPEG="/usr/local/bin/ffmpeg"



        create montage

            add TOP network go inside
            add file pattern node (this loads all files in a DIR)
                glob pattern: $HIP/render/*

                shift-v (cook node)

            add image magick node
                operation: convert
                check width, height, 200
                filename:  $HIP/render/$HIPNAME/{inputfilename}.exr

                common -> check
                    remove background black part of command

            add wait for all node
                (this collects all images together)

            add another image magick node
                operation: montage

                common -> enter this:
                /usr/local/bin/montage {inputimages} -mode concatenate {outputimage}
                    (otherwise error no images found for operation -mode )

                /usr/local/bin/montage {inputimages} -mode concatenate -tile 3 {outputimage}
                    to get 3 columns
           


    src

        https://vimeo.com/323268918 
        https://vimeo.com/323270214 
        https://www.imagemagick.org/discourse-server/viewtopic.php?t=31386







wireframe render
 

    (import fbx)
    add camera
    add openGL render node in out
        shading mode: wireframe ghost








wine bg/hdr setup
 



    remove hdr bg shine through bottle

        (this hides HDR with a plane, but keeps alpha mask of bottle)

        add new geo node
        add bg plane with white principled shader mat

        render tab (from geo node)
            render visibility: -primary

        add large bg light



    wine material

        add principled shader
        IOR: 1.333

        transparency settings
            transparency: 1
            transp. color: 1    1   0.825
            
            surface prio: 2

        opacity settings
            scale: 0.991

        (if settings other transparency values, there will be bright
         color artifacts in center)
    



    enable render settings, nested dielectrics

        (intersection glass with water, for bottle)

        make stuff intersect

        enable nested dielectrics in render node
            mantra node -> rendering tab -> shading -> 
                check enable Absorbtion and Nested Dielectrics

        set priority parameter in texture:
            principled shader -> surface tab -> transparency
                enter surface priority


        src

            help: glass water









Textures mit alpha
 

    textures tab -> 
        base color: select tex for base color
                    tint intensity: 1  (= gamma)

        opacity:    select alpha tex here
                    tint intensity: 1











UV mapping
 


    add UV texture node or  autoUV (gamedev) node
    (space + 5, to go to UV window)
    turn on display flag
        texture type: cylindrical
        check fix boundary seam

    add UV layout node

    add UV transform node 
        fix rotation here
        (to flip text just change: scale: -1 in UV texture node)

    add UV quickshade node (for preview)


    set up UV viewport

        desktop -> save current desktop as -> UV mapping

        viewport -> 2 views side by side
            select 1 perspective, 1 UVs

        D -> effects -> lighting -> high quali
            check Ambient Occlusion
                level: 4

            check reflections

            texture tab -> set display/viewport resolution here 
            

    remove old UVs

        (if baked into object/mesh)
        add attribute delete node
            vertex attr. -> uvs


    adding UVs the fast way

        (= very fast/cheap way to add UVs, use for bg/low res objects)
        add UV unwrap node
            press ENTER to see pyramid/square for projection sides

        or use UV project node
            click initialize button



    adding UVs the High quality way


        UV texture node

            add UV texture node

            ... chose texture type mode ...
                uniform spline for complex objects

            check FIX boundary seams
        

        changing texture size/rotation

            UV texture node -> Scale: 3 3 3
            
    

    creating seams

        in edge mode select seams
        add group node to store the selection



        cutting with pelt node

            (cut it with custom seams)
            add seams and groups
            add pelt node from texture shelf
        

        or cutting with flattening node

            add UV flatten node
            select seams



    UV layout node

        organizing UV layout with UV layout node



    editing of UVs

        add UV edit node


        press S -> Change Select Dropdown to UV connected geo
        then select in map and rotate/transform










compositing 
 

    view -> composite view

    img network


    nodes

        add file node
        start with premultiply (to clean seams)

            ... color nodes ....

            add contrast node

        another premultiply node after color corrections

        add convert node 
            16bit

        add ROP_comp node at the end  (for rendering img)
        



        ev. following nodes:

        comp nodes
            composite (like merge down)
            (ev add over node to combine with another image tree = merge node)
            inkludes over nodes, multiply usw

        convert node (to get into rgb colorspace)
        brightness
        contrast
        noise
        font
        color (for solid bg)
        layer
        transform


    src

        http://www.sidefx.com/docs/houdini/nodes/cop2/index.html
        https://lesterbanks.com/2012/06/introduction-to-houdinis-built-in-compositor/
        https://lesterbanks.com/2012/06/introduction-to-houdinis-built-in-compositor/
        https://www.sidefx.com/tutorials/category/compositing/  






keyframes and animation
 



    basic keyframing

        change value, then LEFT ALT + click into field to set keyframe
        select node with animation in it, viewport -> animation editor


    add some new animation data

        go to other network -> CH
        viewport -> motionFX view

        add CHOP network node
        go inside, add wave node
            channel tab: use start/end, set end keyframes here
                name: r[xyz]
            waveform tab: period: 480 (or total frames)
                           phase: $C*.33 


        add math node under wave node
            range: -1, 1
                    0, 480

        then go to object, transform node -> rotation field
            right click -> expression -> edit expression

            chop("../SHOP/_out/rx")   (network, node, channelname)
            chop("../../../ch/ch1/_out/rx")


        in CH network -> add noise node and set display flag
            name: r[xyz]   (crates 3 channels)
            name channel -> seed: $C  (to randomize each channel)

        underneath add math node -> multi-add tab 
            multiply: 2
            
        add limit node (to clip top/bottom)
        add filter node (to smooth it out again)

    
        (for many object add a pack node, makes it much faster....)



    src

        essential training 2017 (chop networks)




VOPs
 

    (distort geo)
    add point VOP node
    go inside node
    add curl noise node
        wire p into pos
        
    add add node
        wire noise output into add input2
        wire p into add input1
        wire sum into last p

    noise -> reduce distance to surface and amplitude





custom shaders
 

    in mat network, add fresnel node (next to pricicled shader mat)
    then connect it to emit color channel of principled shader


    to get dots/stuff

        use this nodes:
            fresnel
            ramps
            cellnoise
            splatter



    rough plastic with dark parts

        add mix layer node,
        feed in plastic and concrete shader
        change both colours to turquise







switching geo
 

    add 3 trees of geo

    add switch node at the end

    select all nodes (exept first input node) -> add to subnet (shift-c)

    add transform node after switch node: $CEZ or $CEX to center

    rightclick on subnet -> parameters and channels -> edit parameter interface

    (click on subnet -> create digital asset)
        (save it on $JOB/hda  usw.)
        
        parameters -> drag extrude thickness here, set range

        find ordered menu in left window
            label: bevel

            menu tab:
                0   large
                1   small
                2   none

            channels tab: drag select input (from switch node) here





switch color VEX
 


    switch node only has 11 inputs, so just use VEX:

    add attribute wrangle node

        // initialize variables R,G,B as float
        // divide by 255 to get houdini RGB values
        // example:
        // @Cd = set( 0.219608,0.65098,0.188235 ) ;
        // @Cd = set( (float) 56 / 255, (float) 166 / 255, (float) 48 / 255 )

        if( ch("../newparameter2")=="001" )
        {
            f@R = 228 ;
            f@G = 140 ;
            f@B = 197 ;
            @Cd = set( (float) @R / 255, (float) @G / 255, (float) @B / 255 ) ;
        }
        else if( ch("../newparameter2")=="002" )
        {
            f@R = 56 ;
            f@G = 166 ;
            f@B = 48 ;
            @Cd = set( (float) @R / 255, (float) @G / 255, (float) @B / 255 ) ;
        }








material setups
 

    play with roughness, to make it more shiny

    displacer map
    
    mat -> add fresnel node
    in first out create ramp node, define gradient here
    out from ramp -> in from principled shader surface color











alembic export
 


    export

        add ROB alembic Output node
        then click Render to Disk button
        then just open it in C4d


    import

        add alembic node, select file






new project settings
 



    set up recent project (if red render)

        file -> set project -> select HoudiniProject



    Usage with materials/hdrs usw 

        first set working project
            file -> set project -> select HoudiniProject
            this sets the $JOB variable to HOudiniProject
            when selecting materials, just click $JOB -> tex -> select here



    check here

        render -> preflight 
        (to go up $JOB/../pic/mandril.pic)



    setup new project

        file -> new project
            uncheck 
                simulation
                alembic
                flipbooks
                scripts
                composites
                desktops

        (then when opening files/assets click on $JOB to see current stuff)

    then just use $JOB variable for ALL things
        for example in lights:
            $JOB/tex/bathroom_4k.hdr




    problem: red render

        just point project to current:
        file -> set project -> select HoudiniProject








instances
 

    add pack node
    it's packing geo, making reuse super fast
    but no more single points can be edited






edge loop
 

    in perspective view (with a cube) -> tab -> edge loop







polysplit
 

    select poly -> polysplit -> click -> ENTER 







houdini dropship modeling course
 


    hda usage

        file -> import -> houdini digital asset

        material palette (tab) -> Utility -> drag Constant

            doubleclick on it, duplicate it 3 times
                name them: front, side, top

            click -> surface -> color map -> select ref img here



    setting up the ortho_grids

        add geo node, name it ortho-grid
            delete file node
            
        add grid node
            set rows 2 and columns 2

        add uv project node
            initialize tab -> initialize

        (verify by adding temporarly quick shade node)

                             |
            -----------------|--------------
            |                               | 
        transform node                  transform node
            x direction                     y direction
            |                               |


        add merge node, merge all 3 together

        add group node after sideview transform node
            group name: $OS, then rename node: sideview
                (this just sets the groupname to same as node name)
            toggle group icon (below lamp on right side of viewport) to verify

        add material node after merge node

        material palette (tab in node window) -> scroll to Utility -> drag Constant
            rename it sideviewMat
        
        material node -> Material: mat/sideview_mat

        material palette -> sideview_mat -> surface -> color map -> select IMG

        add transform node under each group to rotate it

        material palette, duplicate sideview_mat to topview and frontviewmat

        add another material node select top group
            adjust other views and materials, add transform nodes to rotate them



        adjusting opacity of ortho grids

            just after the merge, add a attribute wrangle node

            in code editor write: 
                @Alpha = 0.5;
                    (help-> type geometry attributes)


                or

                @Alpha = chf("Opacity");
                then click slidericon next to it to active slider
                    then slide a value :D


        creating a HDA (Digital Asset) out of it

            in nodes -> go to top level -> right click on ortho node
                -> create Digital Asset

                detroy spare paramters

                (then Operator type properties window will pop up)
                /files/3d_presets/hda

                go to parameters tab -> select all -> check invisible
                    right side, click invisible to hide other stuff

                go back into asset -> find material path
                    alt+middlemouse click auf Material
                    (it will be then in UI)

                    alt + middlemouse click auf Opacity (in attribute wrangle
                    node)


            update:

            to make it work with front/side/top sliders just create the UI
            manually and reference the values -> copy parameters/paste ref usw


            to save it, right click  -> save node type
                                   . -> match current definition

            to use the HDA, right click in node window -> Digital Assets -> ortho

                




    blocking out the body part

        add box node, space + g to zoom in
        hit ENTER key to get arrows/gizmo
        space + 4 to get into side view


        press S to get components menu
            1 points (=vertices)
            2 edges
            3 faces (=primitives0
        
        select a face, click C -> navigate to polyextrude

        or

        select a face, tab -> polyextrude (probably fastest/easiest...)


        bevel with increaing size, controlled with gradient

            select edges -> polybevel
            add attribute wrangle node
            vex code:

            vector min = getbbox_min(0);
            vector max = getbbox_max(0);
            
            // here the color to visualize it
            //@Cd = fit(@P.z, min.z, max.z, 0, 1);

            // putting it into a variable bevelsize
            //f@bevelsize = fit(@P.z, min.z, max.z, 0, 1);
            
            // create gradient options window to make changes, 
            // click slider icon afterwards to update option!!
            //f@bevelsize = chramp("bevelsize",fit(@P.z, min.z, max.z, 0, 1));

            polybevel node -> Offsetting -> point scale -> enter: bevelsize



    subdividing mesh

        add subdivide node, depth: 2
        add edge loops in middle

        

    mirroring

        add clip node
            direction:      1       0       0
        add mirror node
        add a fuse node
            (to make sure center points are merged together)
            



    knifing tube and bevel

        add tube node
        add knife node
            HIT ENTER then knife circles show up
            Direction:      1       0       0


        select the cut procedurally

            add group node under knife node
                group type: edges 
                check Enable Keep in Bounding Regions

                (go to knife -> distance, copy parameter)
                Keep in Bounding Regions -> Center:     
                    centroid("../tube1", D_X) + ch("../knife1/dist")
                    centroid("../tube1", D_Y) 
                    centroid("../tube1", D_Z) 

                    (so if there are changes to knife/height/segments!!)

                Keep in Bounding Regions -> Size:
                    1       1ch("../tube1/radscale")       1ch("../tube1/radscale")

                    (relative ref from tube radius, if there are changes to radius!!)
                
                rename group: knife-edges (rename inside!)

                add polybevel node under group node
                    select knife-edges group
                    output groups: check edge faces

                add polyextrude node under bevel node
                    select bevelprims group
                    now extrude!!


    hide/mask part of geometry

        add a clip node
        

    create boolean

        add curve node
        draw cutout shape, click Close
        add polyextrude node to create large volume
        add boolean node




    add procedural foot asset

        add line node
            (move points, edit node gets created)
        add carve node
            First U: 0.5 (this create 2 segments procedurally!)
            check Keep outside

        add a circle node
            type: polygon
        then add a sweep node
        add skin node afterwards 



    dynamically move object on points

        add group range to define start/end point
        add copytopoints node to get objects to appear there :D



    adding wiring 

        in sideview
        add a curve node
            (press ENTER)
        add resample node
            (display points in viewport)
            (display normals in viewport)
            uncheck maximum length
            check maximum segments
            treat polygon as: subdivision curves
        add polyframe node   (to fix normals)
            entity: points
            style: two edges
            uncheck normal name
            Tangent Name: N
            uncheck Bitangent
            uncheck Make Frame Orthogonal

        add circle node 
            type: polygon

        add sweep node
            check angle fix (so it keeps its volume)
            output tab -> output: skin with auto closere

        add normal node (or just add it before last big merge node!)


        to test UVs

            add uvflatten node  (under sweep)
                flattening constraints -> click white arrow, press ENTER
                then double click in viewport on a line (=edgeloop), to create a seam
                 
            add UV quickshade node



    add cuts with boolean


        add box node (will be used as cutter)

        add boolean node
            operation: shatter  Pieces of A
            check Output Edge Groups: A-B Seams

        add polybevel node
            select A-B Seams group

        then just merge this cube with other cubes for the cuts



    hypernurbs weighting

        add group node with selected edges (which need to stay sharp)
        add crease node and select group
        add subdivide and depth 3



    smoothing und VDB

        use instead of booleans, when geo too complex....


        basic vdb

            add vdbfrompolygons node under geo
                voxel size: 0.02

            add vdbsmooth SDF node to get nicer surfaces
                (sdf is smoother than normal one...)

            at the end, add convertvdb (polygons) node
                convert to: polygons
            


        super cool vdb

            add subdivide node first 

            then add vdbfrompolygons node 
                voxel size: 0.01

            add vdbsmoothSDF node to get nicer surfaces
                (sdf is smoother than normal one...)
                Operation: Gaussian
                FilterVoxelRadius: 1
                Iterations: 10

            add convertvdb (polygons) node
                convert to: polygons
                adaptivity: 0.005 (reduces polycount)
                check: compute vertex normals
            
            add normal node
                cusp angle: 20
                weighting: each vertex equally

            add smooth node
                strength: 10
                filter: 2



        cache VDB

            add primitive node under convertvdb
            add file cache node -> file mode: write
                then write out file (remove $OS $F usw.)
            add another file cache node -> file mode: read
                then just disable VDB nodes (and all others above)



        cockpit cutouts

            add curve node, close it

            add polybevel node
                group type points
                click white arrow (next to group)
                select the corner points (which should not be smoothed!), ENTER
                    (points numbers should show up in group field: 0-1, 3 usw)
                shape: round
                set offset to something

            add resample node
                check resample by polygon edge
                uncheck maximum segment length
                check maximum segments
                Treat polygon as: Subdivision Curves

            add polyextrude node

            add boolean node
                

        offset the original shape

            add peak node (= shift normals)
            (to move the cockpit glass inwards)
        


        try smoothing


            in boolean -> output edge groupe -> check AB seams
            under the boolean node add polybevel node, select the group here
                uncheck allow vertex split

            add crease node
                select edge selection here (made in polybevel..)

            add subdivide node

            add vdb from polygons node
                0.005   (it's rasterizing... too slow...)

            add vdb smooth node

            add convert vdb node to convert it back to polygons
                convert to: polygons
                adaptivity: .01



    skylight

        add skylight node
        enable high res light (2nd plus bulb icon)


    

    add UVs


        manual process with defining seams

            select the original body shape (without bevels, cuts usw)
            add uvflatten node  (under sweep)
                flattening constraints -> click white arrow, press ENTER
                then double click in viewport on a line (=edgeloop), to create a seam
                    use shift + a to select long lines and distances between
                 
            add UV quickshade node to test and see
            (when done remove quickshade node again)

            ... do this for all the elements and parts ...

            add a UV Layout node  (at end of all nodes) 
                check scale Islands to Match their surface areas
                search resolution: set texture size here!


        automatic uvs

            add UV unwrap node  (on all last nodes..)
            add UV layout node  (at the end one time, after normals node)
                check scale islands to match their surface areas
                (change iterations/Planes to pack it even better!)



    src

        https://www.udemy.com/vehicle-modeling-in-houdini-16-scifi-dropship/ 












rembrandt low poly
 


    add grid node
        row: ch("sizey")*100       (so it always has squares!)
        columns: ch("sizex")*100

    add attribute from map node
        image settings tab -> check invert V coord
        texture map: select image

    (rightclick on light -> disable specular)
    (shading -> flat shading)

    add scatter node

    (press d -> geometry -> increase point size)

    add triangulate node

    add attribute promote node
        Original Name: Cd
        Original Class: Point
        New Class: Primitive

    copy grid and attribfrommap nodes
        grid2: copy relative width/height values from grid1

    add add node
        check Delete geometry but keep the points

    add merge node 
        merge scatter1 and add1

    scatter node: 
        check density attribute: Cd
        uncheck Relax iterations
        force total count: 409 (PLAY WITH THIS VALUE!!!!!)


    add spray paint node before scatter node
        disable scatter node
        select then handle (red/green arrows left edge menu)
            then paint!



    src

        https://vimeo.com/169433155





polybridge
 

    add 2 objects, connect them with a merge node
    select merge node, then select edges or faces of both objects

    add polybridge node
        maybe check reverse on/off to correct






creating a new material
 

    managers -> add material network node
        go into node -> shaders -> principled shader

    add material node after the box node
        path: (print icon) -> Matnet -> principledshader 



    to shade MAT inside AND outside

        (for stuff inside a box setups usw)
        material -> surface tab -> 
            check shade both sides as front








basic lights
 


    finding lights angles

        in viewport -> click No Cam icon -> select the light here -> click lock
            now we are viewing through the light
        in parameters -> light tab -> enable/disable


    super fast GI setup

        addd sky light
        skylight node -> sun tab -> change rotation
            





model a glass/goldring
 

    (model inner AND out wall!)
    
    add curve node, close it

    add polybevel node
        group type points
        click white arrow (next to group)
        select the corner points (which should not be smoothed!), ENTER
            (points numbers should show up in group field: 0-1, 3 usw)
        shape: round
        set offset to something

    add resample node
        check resample by polygon edge
        uncheck maximum segment length
        check maximum segments
        Treat polygon as: Subdivision Curves

    add revolve node
        divisions: 24
    
    add subdiv node
        depth 2



    add glass and gold material

        grab principal shader, there is a preset in there!!
        find the wheel icon on top!!
        same for gold
    



    add lights

        add envlight
            set HDR here

        add area light
            type grid
            intensity: 2

            area light options tab
                area size:  3     3

        add caustic light
            light mask: select area light here
            photon count: 500 000
            filter samples 200




    rendersettings for glass/gold

            (maybe render without caustics light
            to save rendertime)


        low settings

            sampling tab
                min samples:    1
                max samples:    15
                noise level:    0.001

            limits tab
                reflect limit:  4
                refract limit:  4
                diffuse limit:  1
                sss limit:      1

            in caustics light:
                photon count: 200000
                filter samples: 100


        high settings

             sampling tab
                min samples:    15
                max samples:    21
                noise level:    0.001

            limits tab
                reflect limit:  9
                refract limit:  6
                diffuse limit:  2
                sss limit:      1
 
            in caustics light:
                photon count: 500000
                filter samples: 300

          
    



houdini basic lighting and rendering
 



    add camera

        add sample scene with some primitives
        add camera node (top level of geo)
        then in view, change to camera
        click lock icon (to stay in view and move it)
        (set resolution here in camera, not render settings)



    area lights

        shadows quality/sharpness -> area light options tab:
            uncheck Normalize Light Intensity to Area
            then adjust area size

        check edge falloff
            set some width and rolloff
            (this simulates nice studio lights seen in       
            reflections)
            


    geometry lights

        add light node
        type: geometry
        (check render light geometry)
        area light options -> select geometry object
        check transform into this object

        add a new material (principal)
            apply it to torus (or the object...)
            add a UV texture node to the torus, before the mat

        then in the geolight -> area light options -> material:
            add the mat here too
        
        go into the material -> textures tab -> check emission
            dir: $HFS/houdini/pic/Mandril.pic

            surface tab -> emission color:  1   1   1  
                           emission intensity: adjust here!!

                           base color: 0.02    


    adding HDR / environment light

        add environment light (from shelf)
        Environment Map: set HDR here
        check/uncheck render light geometry to show HDR
        use for HDR

        is just a giant sphere wrapped around the scene




    adding a portal light

        add env light -> render options -> check portal
            add a grid and select the gridgeo here




    add a backdrop + studio lights

        add box node
        delete all faces, except bottom and back
        add polybevel node for the edge to make it round
        add reverse node to get normals


        add area light

            check render light geometry
            uncheck normalize light intensity to area
            check self shadow
            texture map: /files/Soft Box A.exr

            sampling count: 2 (removes noisy shadows)

        then add one GI light (speeds up render!!)
            photon count: 200000
            filter samples: 100




    hollywood portrait lighting

        place background image in nodes window as reference 
            (node view port -> tools)
            shift + i

        add area light
            uncheck normalize light intentity to area

        add null object

        topshelf: constraints tab -> look at constraint
            then select in viewport the area light, ENTER
            next select the null (also in the viewport), ENTER

            deselect, press ENTER a third time (no up needed)

        now just move null object


        to get that look with sharp shadows:
            light type: disk
            area light options -> area size
                0.02    0.02

            enable spotlight, to get more control
                and place parts in the dark



        light through fog

            add box and boolean for window
            add another big bounding box around the scene
            add iso offset node

            mat -> shader -> pyro -> choose smoke preset here
                density: scale 0.15
            in scene -> create material node -> apply material
            


        add point light

            control sharpness with cone delta




    shadows exclude object

        in mask field: * ^/obj/grid1       (all except grid1)


    focus and f/stop

        camera -> view tab -> focal length
                  sampling tab -> f-Stop

        ACHTUNG: aperture = sensor size!! not f/stop
        set resolution too, not in render settings


    motion blur

        camera -> view tab -> shutter time


    depth of field

        in perspective view, rotate to see the cam
        click on camera node, press ENTER
        now there should be a blue line towards the object
        the first part is the focus, control here!

        also set very low f/stop: 0.1

        in out channel put down mantra node
        mantra1 -> rendering tab -> enable depth of field



    render snapshots

        just click on photo icon below render to create 1
        


    Render settings

        in out channel put down mantra node
        mantra1 -> rendering tab 
            engine:     Physically based rendering

            sampling tab ->
                min samples         1
                max samples         24
                noise level:        0.001

            limits tab ->
                diffuse limit:      4 (reduce for testing!!)


        Global Illumination

            (don't use for animation, flickering!)
            set diffuse=1, place a GI light:
                add a GI light from shelf
                    this will make area lights emitt photons!
                    photon count: 500000
                    filter: 300


        disable grainy preview renderings

            click green/yellow little icon on top
            this makes sure only sharp rendered parts
            are shown


    render region

        shift drag in render (to enable)
        (shift drag outside the image to disable)


    see reflections/diffuse channels separated

        mantra -> images -> extra images planes 
            check combined lighting (per component)
            check direct lighting (per component)


    alpha channel

        mantra -> images -> extra images planes 
            add extra image plane
            VEX variable Af






       

    custom shadow catcher


        add mainobject
        add grid/bg apply shadowmatte (from utilities)

        add 2 mantra render nodes (name it main, AO)

        in first node, OBJECTS TAB -> exclude GRID (or bg object)
            (this renders the main object with alpha)

        in second node, OBJECtS TAB -> force phantom -> select MAINOBJECT here
            (this renders only the gridobject/bg with the shadow of main
            object

        to avoid the cropped renders:
            rightclick on mantra node -> parameters and channels -> 
                edit parameter interface -> (left) render properties tab
                find exr data window

            drag this into META tab on right side
            now it should be in META settings in the mantra node
        
            uncheck it to get full width renders


            src

                http://yoong-cut-and.blogspot.com/2015/12/houdini-rop-not-crop-exr.html





        v2

        use a plane (grid)
        add white bg materials
        place it underneath object

        then go one node up (to geo node)
        check matte shading (this will hide it in render!)

        use this to toggle the shadow plane and object!!!!
        super fast easy shadow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        force phantom: add ring/geo here,   
                        it excludes it and just renders shadow!!



    shadow catcher

        mantra -> objects -> force/matte
            select "kreisding" objects here
            (it will be excluded from rendering then,
            so shadow is visible)

        materials -> utilities -> shadow matte
            apply this to the ground grid

        then set grey BG in render view (to see shadow!!!)


    src

        http://www.helloluxx.com
        http://www.makehumancommunity.org





    render queue

        out -> after mantra node add hqrender node
        select node and click submit job
        open browser: http://localhost:5000/


        src

            http://www.madguru.com/learn/working-with-houdini-hqueue-windows 




    exclude objects in render (but still have it's shadows)

        in render settings -> objects -> forced matte -> select here!




    change render background

        click on long vertical bar on right side of render view
            this opens up -> click EYE icon for options

        shortcut D

        also toggle transparency shift cmd d











basic rendering settings
 

    change right dropdown to out

    render -> add mantra node

    select mantra1 node
        images tab
            (for srgb PNG)
            output picture: $HIP/$HIPNAME.$OS.$F4.png
            output device:  infer from filename  

        images tab
            (for multipasses)
            output picture: ip (so it opens ins viewer)
            output device:  Open EXR  
            extra images planes tab: check direct lighting
                                     check indirect lighting
                                     (will output multichannel render)

        Renderings tab -> Engine: Physically based rendering
            Pixel Samples:  3  3  is low, better 6   6   
                            (fields must always be same!
                            adjust noise level

        Limits tab -> Reflect: reduce to 3 (to make it faster...)
                      Refract: reduce to 3

        Click Render to Disk or Render to MPlay
        (open new tab: Render Scheduler to see list mit progress, 
        if rendering to disk)

        (to view passes from EXR, Render -> Mplay -> load from disk)



    then export TIFF, 32bit

    in PS convert 32bis to 16bit, 
        method Exposure and Gamma







export obj
 

    last node (maybe create NULL node) -> right click save -> export as IGES/OBJ/DXF usw






sphere distributed on a grid
 


    add a sphere in a geo node
        make it smaller

    add grid and click on points tool

    add copytopoints node
        feed sphere and grid
        check stamp inputs
        variable: scale     Value: rand($PT)

    turn on numbers (next to point display)

    add transform node under the sphere 
        uniform scale: stamp("../copy1", scale, 1)
            (copy1 node is name of copy stamp node)

    add sort node under grid node 
        point sort: random
        then play with seed



    give them each a different colour


        add ADD_node (after grid node)
            check Delete Geometry but keep the points

        add points node (old!)
            use Add Color, right click on "Color" -> delete the channel
            in the color fields: rand($PT)  rand($PT5)     rand($PT2) 

            to get b/w greyscale just use:
                rand($PT)  rand($PT)     rand($PT) 

        click on copy node -> attribute tab -> 
            check Use template points attributes



    add variety with mountain node

        add mountain node
        in roughness channel write:

        stamp("../copy2", fit(newroughvar,1,1000,0.01,0.99),1)
            (copy2 is name of copy stamp node,
            fit is range mapper, to map numbers 1-1000 to 0-1)



    to get 1000 new shapes for the spheres

        (it's slow, better use only 1 shape and rotate it)
        in copy stamp:
            newroughvar    fit($PT,1,1000,0,1)

            in mountain node:
            stamp("../objects",newroughvar,10)


    to rotate shapes for the spheres

        (it's slow, better use only 1 shape and rotate it)
        in copy stamp:
            rot1     fit((rand($PT)),0,1,1,360)
            rot2     fit((rand($PT)*0.1),0,1,1,360)
            rot3     fit((rand($PT)*0.01),0,1,1,360)

        in transform node:
            stamp("../copy2",rot1,1)
            stamp("../copy2",rot2,1)
            stamp("../copy2",rot3,1)








extrude operation
 

    polygon tab
    edge loop -> make a cut

    then S for select, 4 for faces and select them
    polyextrude tool

    bevel tool
    





center axis
 

    transform node -> pivot transform
        Pivot translate:    $CEX    $CEY   $CEZ
    rightclick -> click on wheel icon -> save as preset!






create digital assets
 


    edit asset

        type properties


    save asset

        save node type
        match current definition, locks it again and propagates



    fix shading issues (like repair phong!)

        add normal node
        weighting method: by face area



    extrude and bevel asset 

    
    add geo node
    (remove file node)
    space 4 to go into right view

    enable snapping to grid
    select curve tool and draw shape
        tool options icon (top of viewport): create in context

    add polyextrude node
        check output back (to close the hole)

    add polybevel
        check ignore flat edges
        turn up angle threshold (ca. 40)
        offset: fiexed distance
        make offset 0.30
        shape: chamfer

    copy the polybevel node
        make offset 0.15

    add switchnode

    to center it, add transform node
        Translate: -$CEX

    then select all nodes (not curve) 
        -> put into subnetwork (yellow little icon)

    name it: chunk
    right click -> create digital asset
        input/output tab: write "curve" or something
        parameters tab:
            drag distance field (from extrude) into Parameters window
                Label field: Thickness
                adjust minimum range to 0.001

            create parameter, find Ordered Menu, move it over
                write "bevel type" for label
                menu tab -> 0   Large
                            1   Small
                            2   None
                channel tab -> find Drop parameters field 
                    and drag "Select input" field from switch node here

                click Apply (field should become green)

        now it exists in TAB -> digital assets!!


    bool and bevel asset


    add bool node
    add box
    
    make a 'trapez' with top edges

    then feed box and other get into the bool
        output edge groups -> check A-B seams in bool tool

    add bevel tool
        press enter to see edges, that will be bevelled
        group: ABSEAMS
        check ignore flat edges

    add second bevel and set intersect
    add transform node

    merge bevel + transform node

    to package it, hold down y and cut the lines to first squares
    add 2 NULL nodes, original shape and cutting shape
    remove merge node and transform node

    select nodes and click yellow create subnet icon
    create links for input (2)
    add 2 output nodes on bottom, link both bools to it
        in second output node, change output index to 1 (in parameters)

    go one up,
    right click -> click create digital asset
        input/output tab:
            input1: original shape
            input2: cutting shape
            output1: substraction
            output2: intersection

    then add transform node and merge node
    link up bool with merge and same bool with transform, 
        feed transform to merge



    cut lines asset


    space 4 -> side view
    snap to grid

    draw line

    add transform node
    move curve out

    add mirror node

    add skin node (like a loft nurbs)
        in mirror node change reverse normals no

    add boolean
        set B: Surface
        Operation: Shatter
        check output edge groups: ABSEAMS

        feed skin node and orig geo

    add bevel







simple UVs
 

    add cylinder
    go into cylinder with i

    add UV texture node or  autoUV node
    (space + 5, to go to UV window)
    turn on display flag
        texture type: cylindrical
        check fix boundary seam
    
    add UV quickshade node (for preview)

    add UV transform node after UV texture node
        then fix distortion here

    (to flip text just change: scale: -1 in UV texture node)