The Gnomon Workshop has released the RIGID BODY DYNAMICS training DVD by Houdini veteran Craig Zerouni. Houdini is an effects powerhouse tool used by leading visual effects studios to achieve realistic physics-based animation. This training DVD is a comprehensive overview of the tools and techniques available in Houdini for producing interactive simulations.
"Craig has more years of vfx experience than he will readily admit to. Not only can he find his way out of a production tight spot, he also knows how to guide others to do the same," states Judith Crow, senior production consultant, Side Effects Software.
Zerouni has been coaxing images from computers for more than 20 years. In that time, he has written animation and rendering software, created shaders, helped build a motion control rig, animated sequences for numerous commercials and feature shots, and even directed a couple of commercials. His feature film credits include DAREDEVIL, FIRST KNIGHT and BEYOND RANGOON.
Zerouni began his career by starting CFX Assoc. in London, where he spent 15 years doing effects and animation for commercials, television idents and feature films. His company was the first customer for Side Effects Software's PRISMS animation software, and he has been using that, and then Houdini, since those products were released. He also spent several years managing the development of Chalice, a high-end compositing package.
Zerouni works for Side Effects as a production consultant, where he has written documentation and run training courses on the Houdini Dynamics system. He also writes a monthly column for 3D WORLD, has contributed to VFXWORLD's The Digital Eye column and is writing a book on Houdini.
HOUDINI: RIGID BODY DYNAMICSCOMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW WITH CRAIG ZEROUNIHoudini's dynamics system (DOPs) is a very powerful tool that allows users to not only simulate physics, but to interact with the simulation in order to make an impossible looking effects shot look realistic. This is what has made DOPs the dynamics software of choice for high-end feature effects in a very short time. This DVD covers the rigid body dynamics (RBD) features of Houdini, as well as the controls and forces that are common to RBD, cloth and hair systems (though cloth and hair are not covered in this DVD). Houdini's rigid body dynamics have been used to make characters run through walls (X-MEN: THE LAST STAND), crumble to pieces (Gatorade commercial), and to make objects on a cruise ship fly around as the ship capsizes (POSEIDON). This disc is a comprehensive reference, covering features in great detail through many simplified examples, as well as completed case studies of a bowling ball, dominoes, an exploding building and a crashing train.
Since 2000, The Gnomon Workshop (www.thegnomonworkshop.com) has provided artists and students with the educational resources they need to succeed as artists in the entertainment industries. Whether they're interested in design, modeling, effects, animation, storytelling or matte painting, these DVDs provide a valuable educational resource for students around the world. The Gnomon Workshop is the sister company of The Gnomon School of Visual Effects, which provides professional caliber visual effects instruction to students and professionals in Los Angeles, California.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
