This page gives an overview of V-Ray's UI integration into Houdini.
Overview
In order to use V-Ray in Houdini, the batch file included in the download must be run to set the required environment variables.
Adding the V-Ray Shelf
To add the V-Ray tab into your Houdini UI after the first time you run the batch file, follow the steps below:
- Click the + button at the far right of the Houdini Shelf Dock.
- Go to the Shelves sub-menu and choose V-Ray to add a check to that shelf option.
For more details on the tools available from the shelf, please see the V-Ray Shelf page.
Integrations
Menus
V-Ray adds a number of items to the Houdini menus. This includes a V-Ray section in the TAB menu, where all V-Ray nodes are stored.
V-Ray Shelf
V-Ray includes a shelf that houses many quick shortcuts to some of the most commonly used V-Ray components. This shelf looks and functions like other shelves in Houdini, so if you would like to add more tools you use while rendering with V-Ray, you can. For more information, see V-Ray Shelf.
Tool Windows
The following V-Ray come with the installation, each with its own dedicated interface window.
V-Ray Frame Buffer
V-Ray allows you to render to a V-Ray virtual frame buffer, which has some additional capabilities. Including allowing viewing of all render elements in a single window; keeps the image in full 32-bit floating point format; allows simple color corrections on the rendered image; allows choosing the order in which the buckets are rendered; can store a list of recently rendered images and allows you to switch between them easily, and also allows the application of lens effects to the rendered image. For more information, please see V-Ray Frame Buffer page.