Compose through movement
Projection aware framing evaluates the subject in image space, so target size, screen position, headroom and composition can remain directed while the camera and lens continue to move.
Nodely Tool 01
Procedural camera system
Direct the shot. Keep the camera editable.
Build the move once as a connected camera system. Change framing, lens, focus, timing or operator performance without rebuilding the shot, then keep it procedural or deliver an editable OBJ, Solaris, USD or Alembic camera.
Camera Operator
01410
Executable camera presets
0240
Movement families
0358
Multi stage camera moves
046DoF
Layered operator motion
Why Camera Operator
Less setup.
More direction.
Camera Operator is not a library of fixed animation clips. Its 410 presets describe shot purpose, point of view, composition, timing, lens and focus as one adjustable system. The camera evaluates base placement, movement, aim, operator offsets, shake and optics in a deliberate order, so artists can change one decision without dismantling the rest of the shot.
Shot blockingCinematic camera movementLens and focus choreographyAdjacent shot continuityOBJ and Solaris camera delivery
Inside the system
Built around
the real workflow.
Every layer is designed to shorten repeated setup while leaving the final Houdini result available for the artist.
Perform the camera
Motion Mixer combines the authored move with deterministic body, breathing, gait, correction, impact and settle layers, each with its own timing and intensity.
Choreograph lens and focus
Direct optical zoom, dolly movement, dolly zoom and rack focus as distinct behaviors. Lens and focus are evaluated with the same camera sample instead of added as a disconnected layer.
Carry continuity forward
Match transform, lens and focus at a cut while preserving the destination shot motion. Snapshot fallbacks protect the result when a source camera is later disconnected.
Direct paths as well as presets
Use catalog movement or load a Houdini curve, reverse it, sample it by arc length and control the movement over the shot range or a custom frame range.
Deliver only the resolved camera
Keep the rig procedural through iteration, then bake a separate OBJ camera, author a standard camera in Solaris or export camera only USD with lens, focus, shutter and time data.
The workflow
From first input
to native result.
Choose the intent
Start from a movement family and preset that matches the role of the shot.
Bind the composition
Set the subject, framing, timing, lens and focus behavior.
Refine the performance
Layer operator motion, events and continuity without rebuilding the camera.
Deliver the camera
Render from the final camera, bake a sibling OBJ camera or author the result to USD.
Native by design
The setup helps.
The result stays yours.
Nodely tools create results that remain part of the Houdini scene. Inspect them, adjust them and hand them forward without turning the product into the only place where the work can live.
01Stable final Houdini camera output
02Separate editable baked OBJ camera
03Standard camera authored in Solaris
04Camera only USD delivery
05Alembic camera delivery
06Reusable user presets
Compatibility
Know the setup
before you buy.
- Version
- 1.3.0
- Houdini
- 20.5, 21 and 22
- System
- Windows
- Contexts
- OBJ and Solaris
- Native result
- Houdini camera and USD camera
- Renderer workflow
- Karma with camera profiles for Redshift, Arnold, RenderMan, V Ray and Octane
Questions
Before the
first shot.
01Does Camera Operator replace the final Houdini camera?
No. The procedural rig remains available for iteration and can create a separate editable Houdini camera when the shot is ready.
02Can the same workflow be used in Solaris?
Yes. The native Stage version authors a standard camera directly in Solaris and preserves the incoming layer stack.
03Are the presets fixed animation clips?
No. They are executable shot systems with narrative intent, framing, timing, lens, focus and operator layers that remain adjustable.
04Does Camera Operator create image based lens effects?
No. Lens character fields provide creative guidance. Camera Operator animates supported camera and focus behavior, but those metadata fields do not synthesize flare, anamorphic distortion or other image based lens effects.
04How does the annual license work?
The annual license renews automatically each year until canceled and includes product updates and supported Houdini builds while active.
Camera Operator annual license
Direct the shot. Keep the camera editable.
$99 / year