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Contents 1 Downloading Houdini from Side Effects 1.1 How it works 1.2 Daily Builds 1.3 Production Builds 1.4 FAQ 1.4.1 Which build should I download for Windows? 1.4.2 Which build should I download for Linux? 1.4.3 Which build should I download for Mac OSX? 1.4.4 Ok, I've downloaded Houdini. How do I install it? 1.4.5 Can I install more than one version of Houdini at the same time? 1.4.6 Does SESI love me?

Downloading Houdini from Side Effects

Side Effects Software Inc allows both the non-commercial HoudiniApprentice and HoudiniApprenticeHD versions as well as the full commercial license version to be downloaded from their site - actually from the same exact place.

However, first time Apprentice applicants should go read the HoudiniApprentice page and follow instructions on SESI's website. New commercial license customers should follow instructions from their customer representative at SESI.

After doing this, you can go directly to their direct-download page for Production and Daily Builds:

Houdini Download Page - for commercial and non-commercial Houdini builds

How it works

SESI make daily builds of Houdini available to all Apprentice and commercial license users. The advantage of this is that users can update as often as they like to the latest and greatest versions of Houdini. Bug fixes and small enhancements are continually committed to the current versions of Houdini. Houdini users can check the daily DevelopmentJournal to see which bugs have been addressed. If a bug fix or issue is a deep problem and/or a fix might potentially cause more instability, SESI might elect to hold over the bug fix until the next minor or major version of Houdini which is in (closed) parallel development.

Info from SESI on Software Updates

Daily Builds

The Daily Build on their download page is the latest version of the software, and should be the greatest since it contains all the bug-fixes, but occasionally something slips up and makes the build unusable. SESI do try to guard against this but it still happens... but do not fear - there are always a few versions back available for download, one of which will be stable. Or just look for the latest Production Build, as this build has been deemed safe to use and you can get direct support for it. On the SESI Download page, try to avoid the builds which are marked pink, as these builds have failed some automated regression tests and might sport a new accidentally-introduced bug which may or may not affect you. To download the daily builds, you must be logged into the sidefx.com website. Registration is free.

Production Builds

The Production Build on the download page is the latest, most-tested version that the SESI support staff use as their current base support build. They will still report further bugs in the Daily Build but will always want you to be using the Production Build so that both you and they will have the same version and so can establish reliable workarounds until your reported bugs can get fixed by the development staff. Larger facilities tend to rely on this more than the individual or the smaller shops, naturally.

FAQ

Which build should I download for Windows?

If you are running Windows XP (or Vista) 64-bit, then you should download the 64-bit build. Otherwise, download the Windows 32-bit (VC8) build. Don't download the VC7 builds unless you want to run HDK nodes compiled using Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003. Note that VC7 builds do NOT have FBX support.

Which build should I download for Linux?

Pick the closest thing to your distribution listed. If you're running a distribution that is a later version than the one listed, then try the next closest version. The surefire way to make sure you download the right build for Linux is to first run "uname -m" in a Terminal. This tells you whether you should download an i686 or x86_64 build. Then run "gcc -v" in a Terminal to determine your gcc version number. Download the distribution that has the closest gcc version.

Which build should I download for Mac OSX?

First thing, make sure that you have a Mac that runs on an Intel 64-bit chip. Houdini only supports that Mac platform. As of Houdini 10.0, there's only once choice: 64-bit Leopard.

Ok, I've downloaded Houdini. How do I install it?

Please see InstallingHoudini

Can I install more than one version of Houdini at the same time?

Yes, you can. Installing and uninstalling multiple versions of Houdini won't affect each other. Just be sure to install them into new directories.. don't attempt to install them into the exact same directory- and thus overwrite them. That will only bring you pain.

Does SESI love me?

Yes. SESI does love you. Very much.