Houdini 21: What’s New from SIGGRAPH 2025 in Animation, VFX and Machine Learning

At SIGGRAPH 2025, SideFX unveiled the innovations of Houdini 21 during a keynote packed with updates.
This release brings tools designed to simplify workflows and expand creative possibilities, ranging from animation to real-time rendering.

Smarter animation and rigging

With KineFX, animation becomes more flexible thanks to the new motion mixer, clip catalog, and Autorig Builder.
The muscle system now allows for faster setups, with many example rigs available.
Artists can also import MetaHumans from Epic Games directly into Houdini.

Next-generation effects and simulations

The Copernicus engine introduces a GPU solver for Pyro FX, interactive handles, and reaction-diffusion effects.
Terrain tools are enhanced with an advanced erosion node and improved heightfields.
On the VFX side, new presets for fire and smoke come with improvements to the MPM solver for complex materials.

Rendering and pipeline upgrades

In Solaris, new Shot Builder tools streamline scene organization, while Live Rendering provides instant gallery feedback.
Karma now supports Hydra 2 and Gaussian Splats.
Houdini 21 also integrates Vulkan for real-time effects such as Ambient Occlusion and Geometry Lights, with extended support for macOS via MoltenVK.

Machine Learning for artists

One of the most exciting additions is the native integration of Machine Learning tools: from Style Transfer to organic tissue deformation, and from point cloud surfacing to Pyro upresing.
Users can even train models with their own datasets using the included node setups.

Availability

Houdini 21 will be available in late August 2025.

For more informations click here