Productivity AutomationVerified

Reviewed and published by trentmaziarz, April 22, 2026. Discovered and drafted by our automated research pipeline.

Houdini offers a machine learning–based character deformer that artists can train inside the software to produce more realistic skin and tissue movement than traditional bone-based animation methods. The tool, introduced with Houdini 20 and expanded in Houdini 20.5 and 21, lets artists train and apply the model entirely within Houdini's node network without writing custom code.

Details

The ML Deformer works by generating random character poses, running a physics simulation on each pose to capture realistic skin deformation, then training a neural network to predict those deformations at playback speed. The trained model is stored in the ONNX format, which Houdini loads at runtime via its built-in ONNX inference engine. In Houdini 21, new nodes (ML Deform SOP and APEX Add ML Deformer SOP) allow the trained model to be applied in both standard geometry and character rig contexts, and SideFX ships a pre-trained deform model trained on its 'Otto' human character.

Products affected

Houdini FXHoudini ApprenticeHoudini IndieHoudini Education

Sources & Evidence

News Article

SideFX just released Houdini 21: check out its five key features

CG Channel·Aug 2025

https://www.cgchannel.com/2025/08/sidefx-just-released-houdini-21-check-out-its-5-key-features/

Company Disclosure

Company DisclosureVerified

What's new Machine learning – Houdini 21

SideFX·Aug 2025

https://www.sidefx.com/docs/houdini/news/21/ml.html

Company DisclosureVerified

ML Deformer H20.5

SideFX·Jul 2024

https://www.sidefx.com/contentlibrary/ml-deformer-h205/

Cite this record

Trace Foundation. (2026). SideFX (Houdini): Houdini offers a machine learning–based character deformer that artists can train inside the software to produce more realistic skin and tissue movement than traditional bone-based animation methods. The tool, introduced with Houdini 20 and expanded in Houdini 20.5 and 21, lets artists train and apply the model entirely within Houdini's node network without writing custom code (data as of 2026-04-22) [Data set record]. AI Trace. https://www.aitrace.org/r/practice/066a87ae-21ea-42e1-a8e8-61454ac09985. Accessed September 11, 2026.

Stable link: https://www.aitrace.org/r/practice/066a87ae-21ea-42e1-a8e8-61454ac09985
Data as of: April 22, 2026
Last verified: April 22, 2026

How to cite AI Trace

Other practices by SideFX (Houdini)

ProductivityHoudini 21 offers an ML Train Style Transfer node that trains a machine learning model to apply visual style from one class of images to another, enabling artists to automate the transformation of textures or rendered images to match a target aesthetic.Data AnalysisHoudini offers a platform for creating large volumes of labeled synthetic data — artificially generated images and 3D scenes — that other companies and researchers can use to train machine learning models. SideFX also partnered with Endava in April 2025 to publish a suite of computer vision tools in SideFX Labs that automate the creation of annotated training datasets.ProductivityHoudini 21 offers an ML Volume Upres node that uses a pre-trained machine learning model to upscale low-resolution fire and smoke (pyro) simulations, adding fine detail without changing the overall shape of the simulation. Artists can use SideFX-supplied pre-trained models or train their own.

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