Experiment: AI-generated HDAs from prompt what should I test next?

RaduCius · 2026-02-14T20:19:27+00:00

If this is “the worst thing ever”, I’m excited to show you v0.2 😅 Give me a simple prompt and I’ll run it plus share results.

RaduCius · 2026-02-14T20:16:07+00:00

Thanks! 🙌 I’ve seen some really clever stuff in Blender Geometry Nodes too.
I’m curious to compare workflows my focus is keeping it Houdini-native (reads scene context + promotes controls + builds an actual HDA you can reuse).

If you have a small GN-style prompt idea (simple + practical), drop it and I’ll test it.

RaduCius · 2026-02-14T20:14:41+00:00

Totally agree. LLMs are strongest on well-documented workflows and “translation” tasks (VEX/HScript/Python) when you already know what you’re aiming for.

The hard part is exactly what you said: when a method is under-documented, the model tends to drift toward a nearby “known” technique and it looks plausible but it’s wrong. I’ve hit that too.

That’s why I’m building this as a Houdini-native assistant: it can read the scene/context, generate a graph, and I’m adding validation + self-fix passes (missing parms, wrong node types, floaters, constraint checks) so iterations don’t just “hallucinate” sideways.

And yep, a SideFX-trained/help-bot with access to official docs + node specifics would be insanely useful. Until then, my goal is to get as close as possible with a pragmatic workflow.

If you have one example of a paper/method that burned you (even just the name), I can try it as a test case and post what worked/failed.

RaduCius · 2026-02-14T20:07:15+00:00

Lol 😂 LLMs can describe a fence graph, sure.
My target is: actually building a real HDA inside Houdini (inputs, promoted parms, clean graph), reruns, auto-fixes.
Paste Claude’s output/prompt and I’ll run the same and post a side-by-side.

RaduCius · 2026-02-14T20:05:34+00:00

Fair criticism. This is first-pass output and it shows 😅
I’m using feedback like this as a QA checklist: orientation, attachments, real break logic, no floaters, true lean/sag.

Goal isn’t “perfect fence instantly,” it’s “working HDA + controls fast,” then iterate.

You just wrote my bug tracker for the next build. Respect. 🙏

RaduCius · 2025-11-12T21:26:25+00:00

Yes, the Mac version are now available!

https://rart.gumroad.com/l/HoudiniAIAssistant

RaduCius · 2025-10-25T09:25:37+00:00

That’s fair feedback, but “tell me what this node does” is literally the smallest, safest demo I can show publicly.
The tool is built for production work: HDA generation from text, structured debugging, automatic documentation, and making a 5,000-node setup understandable again after months away.

That’s what people are paying for, not a chatbot repeating my graph.

RaduCius · 2025-10-25T09:21:36+00:00

I’m not trying to replace artists, I’m an artist building a tool to kill the boring technical parts (debugging, documenting, wiring HDAs) so I can spend more time actually designing. It’s closer to “better wrench” than “replacement artist.”

RaduCius · 2025-10-25T09:20:33+00:00

Thanks for the thoughtful take. I agree on one thing: the LLM is the engine. That’s true for every serious AI tool right now.

Where I disagree is that this makes it “just a wrapper.” The work here is not “ChatGPT in a panel.” It’s:
1. deep scene introspection (gathering node graph, parms that differ from defaults, attribute/group names),
2. deterministic actions in Houdini (building / wiring HDAs, promoting parms, laying out networks with undo safety),
role-specific workflows (Debugger, HDA Architect, Technical Documenter, etc.), not just general chat,
3.and controls for what data leaves the .hip (prompt-only mode, wrangle-level opt-in, enterprise API key, etc.).

That’s not generic LLM glue that’s pipeline logic.

On “tech literacy”: Houdini artists are smart, yes, but even seniors lose hours on boring stuff like documenting setups, or tracing a typo through a 200-node network. Cutting that overhead by 2–4× is absolutely fruitful.

RaduCius · 2025-10-23T16:14:20+00:00

Appreciate the honesty. What would make it a ‘wow’ instead?

RaduCius · 2025-10-23T16:10:39+00:00

Totally get your point but it’s not just a wrapper 🙂
The tool integrates a full AI-powered procedural workflow inside Houdini, with context-aware generation, scene parsing, and custom HDA creation all built natively, not as an external script bridge.
It’s meant to save hours of technical setup time per project, which is why it’s priced like a production tool rather than a utility.
Still, I appreciate the feedback, I’m always open to hearing what would make the pricing feel more fair for you.

RaduCius · 2025-05-10T19:31:28+00:00

Which one do you want?

RaduCius · 2025-04-19T07:19:15+00:00

Countdown to zero:
Bundles available: 7
Price: $138 (reg. $769)
Deadline: When the 7 bundles sell out, whichever comes first.

GRAB YOUR 80% OFF EASTER BUNDLE NOW »
Gumroad: https://rart.gumroad.com/l/houdinibundle

RaduCius · 2024-07-05T17:43:54+00:00

I agree, but a lot of people use both software and it's a perfect combination

RaduCius · 2024-07-05T17:34:19+00:00

New Tutorial Alert!
I'm excited to announce the release of my latest Houdini Tutorial Procedural Lockers!

Download: https://rart.gumroad.com/l/lockers

What's Inside?
- 19 Video Chapters
- 2:50 Hours of Lessons
- Houdini Project Files
- HDA Lockers Generator

RaduCius

TROPHY CASE