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In this course, you'll learn how to create custom tools, optimize workflows, and solve production challenges.
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Want to see what Python for Houdini Artists is all about? Check out the course trailer to see what you'll learn in this exciting VFX course.
SKILL LEVEL
INTERMEDIATE
SOFTWARE
HOUDINI
LOCATION
100% ONLINE
CIRO CARDOSO
GENERALIST ARTIST
Ciro Cardoso has worked on major projects like Steelhunters, Secretlevel, and Blade (Marvel), developing pipeline tools, material management systems, and Python scripts.
OUR STUDENT REEL. 100% CREATED IN OUR COURSES.
This course is designed to empower Houdini users with the knowledge and skills to create their own tools, streamline workflows, and tackle real-world production challenges.
Whether you're a complete beginner to programming or have some Python experience, this course will help you with any Houdini workflows, whether it's for FX, Asset creation or just tool development. This structured and practical course provides a comprehensive approach to learning.
You will gain foundational Python skills and practical techniques for custom tool creation and workflow automation in Houdini, while also acquiring knowledge applicable to software like Maya, Nuke, and Substance 3D.
Through real-world examples and a gradual learning curve, the course covers essential programming concepts, pipeline development, and advanced topics like MaterialX, HDAs, and Solaris workflows.
In this first week, you will learn the basics of Python and how to use it within Houdini through the hou module. You will create two simple yet practical tools: an asset batch importer and a geometry splitter based on attributes. This foundational week will give you a solid start in scripting with Houdini.
This week dives deeper into Python, covering more advanced topics such as Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), using classes, modules, and functions. You will also explore the Houdini Packages system, laying the groundwork for creating your own reusable toolset within Houdini.
Building on the fundamentals, this week introduces essential Python modules like os and json to create the foundation of a simple yet functional pipeline by developing a tool to create and set up projects.
Picking up where we left off in the previous week, we will build on the knowledge acquired working with the os and json modules to check, load, unload, and delete projects. We will extend the functionality by adding the option to work with subfolders and creating a list of files available for each loaded project.
This week, you'll apply your skills to build practical tools in Houdini. We'll enhance the Project Manager with file saving and auto-versioning, then create a Cache Manager to scan scenes, extract cache data, and generate reports — all using the hou module.
This week, you'll build advanced tools using custom Python modules and UI frameworks like PySide2 or PyQt5. You'll focus on sorting textures, detecting texture sets and types, extracting UDIMs and sizes, and using regex to handle variations from different suppliers.
This week, we continue building our tool with more advanced Python, adding methods to create MtlX shaders, assign textures, and adjust setups for UDIMs. We'll use tools like imaketx for tx conversion and dive into subprocesses, logging, and threading to handle large asset batches efficiently.
This week, we’ll explore ParmTemplates and how to use Python to manage parameters in HDAs. You’ll build a camera tool while learning to use HDA Event Handlers for actions like creation and deletion events.
In this week, we will cover the powerful Python Viewer States to create interactive tools. Many tools in Houdini use Python Viewer States, like the Vellum Brush. You can create custom Python Viewer States to incorporate into your tools, making interaction easier. To help with this, we will create a tool to interactively place lights and learn how we can express mathematical formulas using Python code
This week introduces Solaris and Python for USD workflows. You’ll use the Pixar USD API to build tools that import assets, auto-assign materials, set up lights, and create a turntable camera for 360° renders—applying everything learned so far.
5,000+
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WORLDWIDE
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INSTRUCTORS
IN THE INDUSTRY
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COUNTRIES
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We've designed a custom platform specifically for helping VFX artists learn as efficiently as possible. This is the best VFX course experience in the world.
THE WORLD'S BEST VFX SCHOOL
We don't want to just teach you a single concept. We're your new partners in your VFX career. From 1-on-1 guidance to customized learning tracks, we are passionate about helping you get into the industry and progress in your career.
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3 PAYMENTS OF $250
2 PAYMENTS OF $375
1 PAYMENTS OF $749
WHEN DOES IT START?
SPRING SESSION
MAY 8, 2026
SUMMER SESSION
AUG 7, 2026
FALL SESSION
NOV 6 , 2026
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USE FOR UP TO 15% OFF FUTURE COURSES
We don't want to just teach you a single concept. We're you're new partners in your VFX career. From 1-on-1 guidance to customized learning tracks, we are passionate about helping you get into the industry and progress in your career.
Get exclusive software discounts for being a Rebelway student. We've partnered with SideFX and Foundry to bring you reduced pricing for student licenses of their tools.
We have great relationships with studios around the world. Through our partnerships, we are able to bring our students exclusive job opportunities and connections that aren't available anywhere else.
Our network of over 5,000+ practicing artists is one of the biggest active groups of FX artists on earth. This is your shot to network with artists locally and globally.
A NEW ALTERNATIVE TO VFX SCHOOL
Want free sample lessons from this course? No problem. Just fill out the form below to immediately get access to all of the week #1 content.
Students should have an intermediate understanding of Houdini before taking this course. As a result, we recommend the following courses as a prerequisite:
If you have a foundational understanding of Houdini you will succeed in this course.
If you are unsure if you are best suited to take this course, please reach out to us at info@rebelway.net.
This course will require 5-10 hours a week with 50-100 total hours of active learning and practice by the end of the course.
Your exact time commitment per week will vary based on the topic, assignment, and personal learning style. We strongly recommend dedicating time each week to learn and practice. If you ever fall behind, don’t worry, you will have lifetime access to the lessons.
We have an interactive quiz that you can take to figure out the best course for your skill level. You can take the quiz here.
If you are a beginner or new to VFX, we recommend taking our Houdini Fundamentals course.
If you are already familiar with Houdini, we recommend taking Introduction to Houdini for FX. This course is designed to be an overview of the essential techniques required to work on realistic FX in a modern studio pipeline. By the end of this course, you will have an intermediate level of Houdini knowledge.
If you are an experienced Houdini Artist, or if you already have an intermediate-level knowledge of the software, you can pick and choose any course on the site. Most of our courses are designed to give you specific skills required for different VFX projects (Water, Magic, etc.). So feel free to pick and choose as it makes sense for you.
However, if you ever have questions about which course is right for you, please reach out to our Student Assistance Team by emailing info@rebelway.net. We’ll happily recommend the best course for you.
Our online program is designed to help aspiring VFX artists have a successful career in FX & CG. Unlike other online schools, our affordable courses are exciting and tactical. Through our courses, you will gain the exact skills you need to work on Hollywood-level VFX projects.
In fact, many of our alumni go on to get jobs working for studios such as DNEG, Blizzard, Framestore, Disney, and more.
No, our lesson content is not streamed live. This means you can take the course at your own pace. We’ve designed our program to work around busy schedules.
We recommend the same specs listed by SideFX on this page.
It would be helpful if you could have 32GB of RAM or more, but it isn’t 100% necessary. ]
Many Rebelway students take multiple courses at once. While you could certainly sign up for as many courses as you want, we don’t recommend taking more than two courses at a time. A typical course will take anywhere from 5-10 hours a week to watch and practice, so depending on your schedule you can determine if it is feasible for you to take multiple courses at once.
Also, you will have lifetime access to the course lessons. So if you decide that the course becomes too much to follow, you can always follow along at your own pace if you fall behind.
You’ll also have lifetime access to the discord channel so you can get feedback on your projects and work even after the course has ended.
Yes! We are an online VFX school that delivers actionable and relevant FX education to the world.
Our online system allows us to deliver affordable education to aspiring CG artists around the world.
After successfully placing the order, you will receive an email with complete instructions on how to access your courses and private chat group.
The Rebelway online learning platform gives you lifetime access to all the videos and material provided with the workshops. You will also gain access to a private chat system forever. Once a rebel, always a rebel.
Every class has a dedicated professional instructor who will help you through lectures, project feedback, and Q&As. Every session is designed based on the needs of the student. As a result, every session is unique and updated with the latest FX techniques.
In our courses, you will have full-time support from our FXTAs (FX Technical Assistants). These artists will answer any questions you may have during the duration of the course.
Yes, we do offer Certificates of Completion with all our courses.
Using Paypal Credit you can split the payments of your courses into 24 or 4 payments. To choose this option, select Paypal at checkout using pay-in-full, in the popup window, scroll to the bottom and select either the 24-month option or 4-pay.
This option is only available for residents of the USA, UK, Canada, Germany, Spain, France, and Italy.
You may request a full refund within 14 days of the course start date. Email info@rebelway.net to request a refund. Our team would be happy to help.
You have lifetime access to the course. So if your schedule gets busy, you can always watch your material on your own time. You can see our full refund policy on this page.
Yes, click here to download a free PDF with information regarding our courses, time commitment, and program features.
Our courses are designed to guide you through different modules at a comfortable and exciting pace. As a result, modules unlock on a weekly basis. Once purchased you will immediately have access to week #1.
If you purchased any of our short formed mini-courses, you will receive access to every lesson immediately.
Rebelway does not currently offer subtitles.
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