ATEC 6351.001
Procedural
Animation
Introduction to Procedural
Methods in 3D Computer
Animation
Dr. Midori Kitagawa
In class
 Pay
attention
 Take notes
 Learn
 Be ready for a pop quiz
Lecture 1: Introduction
 Why
Houdini?
 History of digital computers and human
computer interface (HCI)
 Program vs. script
 Scripts vs. graphical user interface (GUI)
 So, why Houdini?
History of digital computers and
human computer interface (HCI)
 1946
The first programmable generalpurpose computer ENIAC was revealed.
Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer
ENIAC
 Occupied
1,000
square foot
space.
 Performed 5,000
operations per
second.
Programming
ENIAC
 Plugs
and switches
were used to rewire
and restructure the
machine.
ENIAC’s I/O
 Punched
cards were used for
input/output.
ENIAC’s HCI
 The
user punched
binary code on
punch cards.
 ENIAC read and processed the cards and
punched results on other punch cards
 The user deciphered the output on the
cards.
IBM SSEC (1948)
Selective Sequence Electronic Calculator
 Equipped
with paper
tape readers and a
printer.
BNIAC Binary Automatic Computer (1948)
Manchester Mark I (1949)
 Used
teleprinters (electro-mechanically
controlled typewriters) for input and
output.
MIT Whirlwind (1951)
 Debuted
with a cathode ray tube and
magnetic tape.
1970’s
 Keyboards
were
introduced to
mainframe computers.
Macintosh 128k (1984)
 128
KB memory
 400 KB single-sided 3.5” floppy disk drive
 B/W monitor resolution 512 x 342
 Single button mouse
 Keyboard with no arrow
keys, function keys or
numeric keypad
 Ignited desktop publishing
PC, Mouse and GUI
 Introduction
of PC, mouse and GUI
(graphical user interface) accelerated
the development of sophisticated
graphical applications in late1980’s.
 Photoshop 1988
 Wavefront 1988
Program vs. script
 Difference
between program and script is
becoming blur.
 Program’s source code (ASCII) is
complied into the executable in binary
format.
 Script is interpreted but not compiled.
 Script runs inside a program.
Script vs. GUI
 Both
script and GUI are ways that the user
communicate with software (OS and
applications).
User
Scripts
GUI
Applications
OS
Hardware
Script vs. GUI for common
graphics applications
script
GUI
form
text
graphics
Input
keyboard
mouse, pen,
tablet
repeatability of
complex
procedure
high
low
automation
easier
harder
customization
easier
harder
Houdini’s node based approach
bridges between scripting and GUI
script
node based
approach
GUI
form
text
text, graphics
graphics
Input
keyboard Keyboard,
mouse
mouse, pen,
tablet
repeatability high
of complex
procedure
high
low
automation
easier
easier
harder
customization
easier
easier
harder
Why Houdini?

Houdini’s node based
approach allows the
user to create a
complex procedure
by building a network
(chain) of nodes that
looks like a flowchart
by connecting a node
to other nodes using
GUI.
Why Houdini?
 Houdini’s
node networks can be linear or
non-linear. Non-linear networks allow
procedures to be more complex than
linear networks.
Why Houdini?
 Node
network can be automated and
repeatable.
 Node network can be easily modified to
produce variations.
 Houdini is highly customizable.
Why Houdini?
 Houdini
has a higher learning curve than
other comparable 3D animation tools
(e.g. Maya) due to its node based
approach.
 Benefits outweigh drawbacks especially in
the special effect industry where
procedural methods prevail.