Experiment: Blending Houdini and Blender
Testing a hybrid pipeline using Houdini for generation and Blender for final artistic touches.
CG
Carlos Garcia on September 28, 2025 
The Idea
What if we use each tool for what it does best?
Houdini: Procedural generation, simulation, technical heavy lifting
Blender: Artistic refinement, shading, final renders
The Test
Building a procedural city generator:
- Houdini handles building placement, road networks, utility distribution
- Export to Blender for material work, lighting, final composition
Initial Results
Pros:
- Faster iteration in Houdini
- Better artistic control in Blender
- Leverages strengths of both tools
Cons:
- Transfer overhead
- Need to maintain two files
- Version sync challenges
Current Status
Still experimenting. The workflow shows promise but needs refinement. Considering building custom exporters to smooth the transition.
Next Steps
- Test with larger scenes
- Automate the export/import process
- Document best practices
This is a work in progress. Updates coming soon.