Modeler 2022 for Houdini has been released with a redesigned plugin core and improved user experience, especially for tablet users. Key improvements are highlighted below:
- Modeling tools and Houdini shelf tools are now conveniently collected in the Python panel. This panel includes a Favorites section for storing custom user scripts and shelf tools.
- When Modeler is activated, a new toolbar called “Viewbar” appears above the viewport, streamlining the modeling workflow, particularly on tablets.
- Modeler no longer uses its own separate shelves.
- Any Modeler Python panel button can now be assigned a custom hotkey.
- The Houdini window can be set to translucent, facilitating modeling on top of reference images from the operating system desktop.
- Pen double-clicking in the viewport functions more intuitively, differing from the standard behavior.
- The viewport camera can now be manipulated using the right mouse button.
- Modeler is streamlined to include just one radial menu, encompassing the most crucial direct modeling and retopology tools. In addition to hotkeys, this menu can be accessed with the right mouse button.
- To repeat the EdgeLoop viewport state, simply click the left mouse button.
- Selection tools offer enhanced functionality, allowing modification of components within the reselect mode of SOP nodes.
- A new “Group Hard Edges” tool simplifies the selection of hard edges.
- As part of improvements focused on tablet devices, empty selections are now interpreted by tools as a selection of the entire object.
- The “Drop Selection” tool (Escape key) has been removed. Component selection modes (points, edges, and polygons) should be used instead.
- PolyPen has received new modeling features and is further optimized for tablet use.
- “Push” has been renamed to “Magnet”.
- A new “Polygons” tool enables rapid polygon drawing and retopology workflows.
- Extrude, Bevel, and Bridge now utilize standard Houdini nodes.
- A new “Bevel Pro” tool facilitates the creation of bevels with a variable radius.
- To constrain middle mouse button transformations (Grab state), click the left or right button while moving the mouse.
- Modeler incorporates its own VDB Remesh node and tool.
- The Hose tool has been enhanced.
- The QPrimitive node now features an input connector designed for automatic orientation and scaling, mirroring the behavior of standard primitive nodes.
- Primitives can be created within the same geometry container.
- The Fill tool reconstructs selected polygons using the new Quadrify node.
- “Preview Subdivided” includes an additional mode to display SubD isolines.
- A new UDIM Export node simplifies the creation of complex UV maps.
Source: CGPress