FXPHD – RND211 – RenderMan for Houdini Solaris

This comprehensive workshop introduces artists and technical directors to Solaris and RenderMan’s deep integration with USD workflows inside Houdini. Designed for both newcomers and seasoned users, it explores how to harness RenderMan’s latest capabilities to build, light, and render scenes using the USD framework.

Beginning with an overview of navigating the USD scene in the Solaris stage, the course walks through essential RenderMan geometry settings, shader assignment using the preset browser, and material workflow fundamentals. Members will gain practical experience with camera setup, including film back, depth of field, bokeh, and motion blur in Class 5, before diving into advanced lighting techniques using Solaris’ native lighting tools and RenderMan’s Hydra render delegate. The course covers light creation, parameter tuning, exposure control, and mixing. Artists will also explore light linking and using light filters such as barn doors and gobos to achieve nuanced, cinematic lighting effects.