Simple play icon Course
Skills Expanded

Image-based Rigid Body Destruction in Houdini

by Jeff Wolverton

Throughout this course we will discuss how realistic destruction can be done in a quick and easy way by using Houdini's Make Breakable shelf tool comibned with the Voronoi SOP leading to pre-fractured objects. Software Required: Houdini 14

What you'll learn

Throughout this course we will discuss how realistic destruction can be done in a quick and easy way by using Houdini's Make Breakable shelf tool comibned with the Voronoi SOP leading to pre-fractured objects. We will discover a new method to pre-fracture an object based simply on an image whether it be a photograph or image such as a brick or stone wall. We will then create the stone and mortar assets from the original geometry by prepping them to retain texture, break into clusters or bits, and have a layer of fine dust for the final effect that will be encapsulated in a digital asset with a variety of parameters. Software Required: Houdini 14

About the author

Jeff Wolverton has been working on visual effects for major motion pictures for over 15 years, having created signature effects for Sony Pictures Imageworks, Digital Domain, Rythym & Hues, Framestore, MPC, Disney, and Dreamworks. He specializes in unique and unusual procedural effects, as well as the standards (fire, water, smoke, destruction, dust, fluids and atmospheric effects). He was also the screenwriter for the Academy Award-winning animated short, The ChubbChubbs!

Ready to upskill? Get started