Python: User Interface

This technical breakdown explains how a custom user interface for Houdini was implemented using Python.

Function: This is a tool which creates allows the user to create generative constructs in various shapes, size, type, fonts, variations and colors to create still images or further animations. This tool provides an advantage of creating small scale to large scale generative customizable constructs in just a click.

Note: This tool will work only on Houdini 18 or above.

Back to VSFX 705 page

User Interface Overview

Following are the UI inputs in which the user can create the generative construct:

Box

Cone

Wireframe

Sphere

Torous

Type

Koch Curve

Building

Input Geometry

Input geometries(Customizable)

Play Video

Input geometries video

This tool randomly juxtaposes the inputs into the selected shape/type of the appropriate size/font respectively. Following are the default inputs used.

User Instructions

Step 1: Installation

Note: This tool will work only on Houdini 18 or above.

Given the constraint of time, I have come up with a little roundabout way of installing this tool. Following are the steps:

i. Download this Python code in the notepad file here (its a long code).

ii. Select and Copy all the Code.

Step 2: How to launch

To launch following are the steps:

i. Open Houdini (18 or above) and open a node called "Python Script" (in Houdini, press TAB and write and open Python Script Node)

ii. Paste the code in the Python Script Node.

iii. Middle click on the node!

iv. This will generate the Matrix Tool.

Step 3: How to Use

Controls and Functions

After Adding Random Color