As I have began the process of learning a few simulations (the jelly and water drop) through youtube tutorials, I am becoming more familiar with using the softwares interface as I go along. This being said, I felt that in order to create more intricate simulations, I want to be more confident when navigating around the interface of the software. In order to increase my knowledge on this, I went back onto the ‘Lynda.com’ website that provides information on this aspect (and more).
https://www.lynda.com/Houdini-tutorials/Navigation/571627/629709-4.html?autoplay=true
Below is a time lapsed video that I uploaded to youtube which evidences me learning the interface through Lynda. When I get stuck, I can referring back to this video/back to Lynda.com’s interface section to keep working efficiently on my work.
The headings that make up this sections of the interface contents is:
Navigation: explores the different ways to move around in the viewport
Viewport and display modes: shows the different types of geometry for the objects in the viewport
Panes: How to expand the different sections i.e. making the node section more visible and removing unnecessary tabs
Desktops: How to safe different desktops in the software
Preferences: How you wish to work and what you can adapt in the software depending on your project
Display options and visualisers: explores scene customisation and texture settings
Global animation options: setting up the overall parameters of the scene
Nomenclature: talks about the key words and names in the software i.e. ROP, VOP, VEX
Network view: Area where to build scene and explains how to go in and out of nodes (‘i’ to go inside and ‘u’ to go up)
Node flags: the areas surrounding the node on the right and left
Geometry spreadsheet: learning about points, verbs and primitives
Treeview: being able to see a breakdown of what in the scene
Shelf tools: exploring the tools displayed on the software (i.e. the box, sphere, grid etc)
I feel that when learning through Lynda, my work ethic is more efficient. Therefore, when I attempt a new simulation I will see whether there are any tutorials to follow on Lynda that can improve my work.