FRIEDRICHSDORF, GERMANY – Maxon, a developer of professional 3D software solutions for modeling, painting, animation and rendering, has partnered with Side Effects Software, a leader in 3D animation and visual effects software, on a plug-in that gives Cinema 4D users access to the Houdini Engine.
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 plug-ins using the Houdini Engine API now, and soon artists will have access to plug-ins for products such as Cinema 4D.
This bridge between the two applications offers Cinema 4D artists direct access to Houdini Digital Assets with an integrated procedural workflow that does not require baked-out data.
“Creating a bridge to Houdini Digital Assets for Cinema 4D artists underscores Maxon’s commitment to provide our customers with an efficient pipeline to other digital content creation tools,” said Harald Egel, co-founder and CEO, Maxon Computer GmbH. “Integrating Houdini’s procedural workflow and VFX tools inside Cinema 4D will offer our users a streamlined experience to collaborate with Houdini artists and create inspiring content.”
“We are very excited to partner with Maxon to bring the Houdini Engine to Cinema 4D artists,” said Kim Davidson, co-founder, President and CEO, Side Effects Software. “These artists can now use Houdini Digital Assets inside Cinema 4D making it easier to add the flexibility and power of Houdini’s procedural tools to their existing creative process.”
The collaboration gives Cinema 4D users direct access to Houdini Digital Assets for a more integrated procedural workflow.
The plug-in for Cinema 4D is expected to be available by the end of the year. Houdini Engine for Maya will be going into beta on May 1. A plug-in for Unity is in development.
Artists with Houdini or Houdini FX licenses will be able to run the Houdini Engine with their existing keys. For those who need to work in a host application, a new Houdini Engine license has been created. Houdini Engine Workstation licenses will be available for $495 annually.