Sidefx Houdini 20.5.278 ✯ [ ORIGINAL ]

The Vulkan-based viewport is now the default, offering improved performance and geometry rasterization compared to the older OpenCL viewport. Workflow & Modeling Updates

| User Type | Recommendation | | :--- | :--- | | | Yes. The sparse solver is stable and memory efficient. | | Lighting/Lookdev (Karma) | Yes. 20.5.278 is the most stable XPU build for production. | | Character TD (APEX) | Cautious. APEX is powerful but still changing. Use for new work, not legacy pipelines. | | Houdini Engine / Pipeline TD | Yes. USD 24.08 fixes many plugin crashes with Maya/Unreal. | SideFX Houdini 20.5.278

In Houdini, you start by creating a new project and setting up your scene. You begin by adding a simple sphere object, which will serve as the base for your effect. The Vulkan-based viewport is now the default, offering

: While 20.5 pushes Vulkan, it is noted as "buggy" in this specific early build, occasionally causing selection issues for grooming guides in the viewport. Reverting to in preferences is a common troubleshooting fix. Known Issues in Build 278 | | Lighting/Lookdev (Karma) | Yes

Build 278 showcases the continued integration of APEX, SideFX’s new motion design and character animation framework. Unlike traditional keyframe editors, APEX uses a layered, node-based system that mirrors Houdini’s procedural logic. In version 20.5.278, the APEX graph editor experiences improved undo handling and faster evaluation for complex character rigs, finally making it a viable alternative to native DCC tools for walk cycles and crowd variations.