FRIEDRICHSDORF, GERMANY — Side Effects Software and Maxon (www.maxon.net), based here, have announced the availability of a public beta of the Houdini Engine for Cinema 4D. The Houdini Engine was introduced in 2013 on SideFX Labs and is designed to allow Houdini’s procedural technology to work inside other digital content creation applications. Studios can build custom effects using the Houdini Engine API and give access to artists using Maxon Cinema 4D.
The connectivity of the Houdini Engine with Cinema 4D brings two applications together with individual strengths in different sectors. Houdini offers new possibilities for Cinema 4D users for simulations, creating and using complex digital assets and procedurals, and node-based workflow. Houdini users will benefit from Cinema 4D’s intuitive workflow, interoperability leading applications, ease of use, speed and dependability.
Optimized effects and objects for Cinema 4D are available for free from Side Effects in the Orbolt Store, the online marketplace for Houdini Digital Assets (HDAs). Artists with no experience working with Houdini can access these assets directly so they can see which possibilities this new integration has to offer.
“Before the Houdini Engine is integrated as an integral component in Cinema 4D we want to offer Cinema 4D and Houdini users the possibility of thoroughly testing this new workflow,” notes Oliver Meiseberg, Maxon’s director product and partnership management. “We are looking forward to welcoming a wide range of users to our Open Beta Program. After thorough testing by the teams at Maxon and Side Effects, we want our users to put this new integration through its paces in their everyday workflows and to send us their feedback so we can fine-tune it to perfection and offer all artists a dependable product that can handle tough production environments.”