Loop Overview

Deborah R. Fowler

Houdini Looping - Copy Options, For-Each including Variation, Wrangles and Python

Posted Aug 11 2019
Updated Aug 2 2024

Houdini is multilingual. In particular, you can communicate with hscript, vex, vops (pictoral vex), python and less commonly C++ (HDK). If you are not familiar with the concept of looping, please see my introduction to programming.

There are many ways to create loops in Houdini including the for-each loop. This is a very powerful node, however it is also useful to understand the copy nodes beforehand. Wrangle nodes require some coding knowledge.
Instancing will be discussed separately.

copy family:

copy and transform

copy to points

Below is a video that covers copy to points variation - very quick overview of N, orient and point overrides

also on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c4p5I4t7IM

copy to curves

copy with stamp (deprecated but important)

for-each

wrangle nodes and examples

Below is a video that covers how to convert a for-each to a wrangle

also on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R4BTd5sWyw&t=217s

In addition to the above sections, I also have covered how to build a snowman using hscript, vex (wrangle) and python nodes. It is advised you review the above sections first, however these are gentle introduction to these topics.
Click the link to see either a description or the video. The hscript version is not as useful as the pointwrangle section. Wrangle nodes (vex snippets) or python are the preferred methods over hscript.

Building a Snowman (hscript, vex (wrangle)) and Corresponding video

Building a Snowman (python) and Corresponding video

Other examples such as using a circle of sphere and the phyllotactic pattern in point wrangle and python can be found on my website as well.

Houdini Resources

Deborah R. Fowler

Houdini Looping - Copy Options, For-Each including Variation, Wrangles and Python