Houdini (software)

Houdini is an application developed by Toronto SideFX, who originally adapted it from the PRISMS suite of procedural generation software tools. The procedural tools can be used to produce a broad range of different types of data, such as 3D models, animation, many types of simulations, game level/environment layouts, rendered images/footage, USD assets, task-scheduling setups, and completely custom solutions to nearly any problem in VFX/CG/synthesis as long as it is well-understood by the artist/operator. Some of its procedural features have been in existence since 1987. Houdini is most commonly used for the creation of visual effects in film and television. It is used by major VFX companies such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures, DNEG, ILM, MPC, Framestore, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Illumination Studios Paris, Eyeline, Polygon Pictures, Marza Animation Planet, Method Studios, RSP and The Mill. It has been used in many feature animation productions, including Disney's feature films Fantasia 2000, Frozen, Zootopia, Raya and the Last Dragon and Wish, the Blue Sky Studios film Rio, C.O.R.E. Feature Animation's The Wild, and DNA Productions' Ant Bully. SideFX also publishes Houdini Apprentice, a limited version of the software that is free of charge for non-commercial use.