Alexey Vanzhula releases Modeler 2025 for Houdini
Picture created utilizing Modeler for Houdini by Philipp von Preuschen.
Alexey Vanzhula has launched Modeler 2025, a serious replace to the modelling toolkit for Houdini.
The replace reworks the add-on “from scratch” to make it really feel extra like a local a part of Houdini, and provides new instruments for retopologizing fashions to create even all-quad geometry.
A traditional exhausting floor and Boolean modelling toolkit for Houdini
First launched in 2018 underneath the title Direct Modeling HDA, Modeler is a ‘traditional modelling surroundings’ for Houdini, supposed to make workflow extra like that in different DCC apps.
It encompasses a vary of instruments for polygonal and subdivision modelling, and for retopology.
Modeler 2025: redesigned to really feel extra like a local a part of Houdini
Modeler 2025 is a serious structural replace, rewriting “virtually all” of the add-on’s Python and VEX code, and redesigning all of its HDAs.
Vanzhula says that the work has been executed to make Modeler really feel much less “like a separate program working inside one other”, and extra like a local a part of Houdini.
Customers now not must activate a separate Modeler mode to make use of its instruments, and all of these instruments at the moment are saved on cabinets, making it attainable to assign hotkeys to them in the usual approach.
As well as, the contextual menus have been redesigned to look extra like Houdini’s interface, and could be indifferent and repositioned wherever within the viewport.
The add-on additionally comes with seven readymade radial menus, to entry show choices and key toolsets.
New and up to date retopology instruments
Modeler 2025 additionally introduces new retopology instruments, together with Draw Patch, which makes it attainable to cowl a floor being retopologized with uniform all-quad geometry by drawing the boundaries of the patch instantly onto its floor, utilizing a workflow much like instruments like TopoGun.
The prevailing PolyPen software has been redesigned for “much more handy topology enhancing”, significantly when utilizing a stylus.
Adjustments embody assist for symmetrical modeling, automated welding of edges and loops, and the choice to flatten edge loops right into a line based mostly on the viewport digicam.
The Face software, for creating polygons from chosen factors or edges, has additionally been redesigned to make it simpler to fill in gaps in curved polygonal cages, as proven within the video above.
Different new and up to date instruments
Different new instruments embody Sculpt Transfer and Sculpt Chill out, which use the reworked Sculpt SOP launched in Houdini 20.5, however respect symmetry settings.
There are additionally new Linear Falloff and Radial Falloff instruments “much like these present in Modo“.
Modeler 2025 additionally options updates to lots of key present instruments, together with Bevel, Thickness, Join and Knife. You’ll find a full checklist of modifications through the hyperlinks on the foot of the story.
Pricing and system necessities
Modeler 2025 for Houdini is suitable with Houdini 20.5. Particular person floating licences value $100; unlimited-seat Studio licences now value $500, up $100 for the reason that earlier launch.
Read a full list of new features in Modeler 2025 in the online changelog
Read more about Modeler for Houdini on Alexey Vanzhula’s Gumroad store
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