Houdini Hair & Fur Grooming¶
Last Updated: 2026-04-30
Source: June Chevalier - "The Only HAIR GROOMING Tutorial You Need!"
Complete Workflow¶
1. Importing Mesh (01:02)¶
- Import character mesh into Houdini
- Ensure proper scale and orientation
- Check normals are pointing outward
2. Masking (03:42)¶
- Define hair growth regions using masks
- Paint or procedural masks to control density
- Separate scalp from face/body
3. VDB (07:44)¶
- Convert mesh to VDB volume
- Use VDB for density distribution
- Control hair placement volumetrically
4. Making the Guides (09:56) — Most Critical Section (~16 min)¶
- Create guide curves manually
- Guides control the overall shape and direction
- More guides = more control but more work
- Use interpolation between guides for coverage
- Key: Guide placement determines final hair quality
5. Generating the Hair (25:36)¶
- Generate actual hair strands from guides
- Control strand count, length, and thickness
- Use skin surface as growth mesh
6. Hair Clumping (29:46)¶
- Group strands into realistic clumps
- Control clump size and tightness
- Essential for realistic hair — real hair never falls as individual strands
7. Adding Noise (39:30)¶
- Break up uniformity with noise
- Per-strand noise for natural variation
- Control noise frequency and amplitude
8. Adding Stray Hairs (40:50)¶
- Add flyaway/stray strands for realism
- Lower density, more variation
- These sell the "natural" look
9. Tip (51:00)¶
- Workflow optimization advice
- Non-destructive approach recommended
10. Timelapse (52:35)¶
- Full grooming process sped up
- Good reference for timing expectations
Key Houdini Nodes for Grooming¶
| Node | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Guide Groom | Paint/shape guide curves |
| Hair Generate | Create strands from guides |
| Clump | Group strands together |
| Noise | Add natural variation |
| VDB from Polygons | Volumetric density control |
| Scatter | Point distribution on surface |
| Attribute Paint | Manual mask/weight painting |
Free Tool¶
Houdini Apprentice — https://www.sidefx.com/download/
Fully functional, non-commercial license. Includes all grooming tools.