1. Installation
Rocket Pyro can be downloaded from www.creativevisionvfx.com/scad, or https://napalerm9.wixsite.com/creativevisionvfx/scad. The tool comes packaged as an Houdini Digital Asset (HDA) with the file name Nicholas_Palermo_Rocket_Pyro_WINTER_2020.hdanc, plus five clips showing the tools functions and operations.

When operating in the Houdini interface, users can simply use the following steps to initialize the tool:

 

• File, import Houdini Digital Asset…

 

• With the ‘Install Digital Asset Library’ pop up window present, users may navigate to the tools download source on their machine, then ‘Install and Create’

 

• Upon install, users will note the ‘Rocket_Pyro_subnet’ network will load onto the ‘obj’ level of the Houdini interface.

 

2. User Interface
After installation, users can navigate the tools auto-generated node systems with preloaded example to begin utilizing for their production needs. As discussed in this paper, the tool loads with intuitive instructions to follow. The Houdini viewport will present a visual representation of their simulation; though artists should take note, that assigning a shader or texture is necessary for rendering the tools simulated results. The assigned material will only show in render, but not in the applications viewport.


3. Customization
With Rocket Pyro being an HDA, the tool is not restricted only toward being used as an propulsion system, rather the ability for artists to navigate the tools preloaded Houdini standardized solvers is encouraged. With this noted, users may notice the preloaded example as a structure for them to customize settings for their production needs.
 

4. Functions
The asset has a POPNET system sourcing into the pyro solver DOPNET system. Users can follow the preloaded instructions to navigate the structure, where necessary, for the artist to modify operations to fit their simulation.

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* See below video-clip for an example to install Rocket Pyro HDA