Best for
- VFX artists and TDs who want to accelerate Houdini workflows with AI assistants
- Users needing procedural modeling and simulation setup
- Users familiar with Houdini but wanting to automate repetitive tasks
F
FXHoudini MCP Server
Community
The most comprehensive MCP server for SideFX Houdini
GitHub source repository ↗
65FMRS · C
This is a feature-rich MCP server that exposes Houdini's powerful capabilities through a natural language interface to AI. Its extensive toolset covers almost all major Houdini contexts, making it suitable for VFX artists and TDs. However, attention must be paid to security and performance overhead.
A comprehensive Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for SideFX Houdini. Connects AI assistants like Claude directly to Houdini's Python API, enabling natural language control over scene building, simulation setup, rendering, and more. Offers 188 tools, 8 resources, and 9 prompts serving 31 written workflow guides.
Tools
build_network
Build node networks with atomic validation.
verify_network
Verify network correctness and connectivity.
get_node_doc
Get documentation card for a node.
cook_profile
Profile node cooking performance.
cook_frame_range
Cook a frame range with per-frame evidence.
get_cook_status
Get cooking status of a node.
search_help
Full-text search over Houdini's official manual.
get_help_page
Retrieve a specific manual page.
open_scene
Open a Houdini scene file.
save_scene
Save the current scene.
import_scene
Import external files into the scene.
export_scene
Export files from the scene.
get_scene_info
Get basic scene information.
create_node
Create a node.
delete_node
Delete a node.
copy_node
Copy a node.
connect_nodes
Connect two nodes.
layout_nodes
Automatically layout nodes.
set_node_flags
Set node flags (e.g., display flag).
get_parameters
Get multiple parameters at once.
set_parameters
Set multiple parameters at once.
set_parameter
Set a single parameter.
get_parameter
Get a single parameter.
set_expression
Set a parameter expression.
set_keyframe
Set a keyframe.
create_spare_parameter
Create a spare parameter.
get_points
Get point information from geometry.
get_prims
Get primitive information.
get_attributes
Get attribute information.
get_attribute_stats
Get attribute statistics.
inspect_volume
Inspect volume data.
get_groups
Get group information.
sample_points
Sample points.
find_nearest_point
Find the nearest point.
get_stage_info
Get USD stage information.
get_prims_lops
Get USD prims.
get_layer_info
Get layer information.
edit_layer
Edit a USD layer.
set_variant
Set a variant.
create_light
Create a light.
get_sim_info
Get simulation information.
get_dop_objects
Get DOP objects.
step_simulation
Step the simulation.
reset_simulation
Reset the simulation.
get_memory_usage
Get memory usage.
cook_pdg
Cook a PDG graph.
get_work_items
Get work items.
list_schedulers
List schedulers.
get_dependency_graph
Get dependency graph.
create_cop_node
Create a COP node.
get_image_info
Get image information.
get_layer_info_cop
Get COP layer information.
get_vdb_info
Get VDB data information.
create_hda
Create an HDA.
install_hda
Install an HDA.
manage_hda
Manage HDAs.
get_hda_sections
Get HDA sections.
get_keyframes
Get keyframes.
set_keyframes
Set keyframes.
set_playbar
Set playbar position.
get_frame_range
Get frame range.
capture_viewport
Capture viewport image.
render_node
Render a node.
set_render_settings
Set render settings.
launch_render
Launch a render.
create_wrangle
Create a VEX wrangle node.
edit_wrangle
Edit a VEX wrangle.
validate_vex
Validate VEX code.
run_python
Execute Python code in Houdini.
run_hscript
Execute HScript in Houdini.
run_expression
Execute an expression in Houdini.
get_env
Get environment variables.
manage_pane
Manage panes.
set_viewer_context
Set viewer context.
verify_camera
Verify camera state.
verify_renderer
Verify renderer state.
screenshot
Take a scene screenshot.
detect_errors
Detect errors in the scene.
get_network_overview
Get network overview.
get_cook_chain
Get cook chain.
get_selection
Get current selection.
get_scene_summary
Get scene summary.
analyze_errors
Analyze scene errors.
setup_pyro
Set up Pyro simulation.
setup_rbd
Set up rigid body simulation.
setup_flip
Set up FLIP fluid simulation.
setup_vellum
Set up Vellum simulation.
setup_sop_chain
Set up SOP chain.
setup_render
Set up render configuration.
list_materials
List materials.
inspect_material
Inspect a material.
create_material
Create a material.
create_shader_network
Create a shader network.
get_channel_data
Get channel data.
create_chop_node
Create a CHOP node.
export_channels
Export channels to parameters.
list_caches
List caches.
inspect_cache
Inspect a cache.
clear_cache
Clear caches.
write_cache
Write a cache.
Setup
- Install via pip:
pip install fxhoudinimcp - Run the installer:
python -m fxhoudinimcp install - Restart Houdini and your MCP client.
- Check the MCP menu in Houdini's menu bar.
claude_desktop_config.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"fxhoudini": {
"command": "C:\\\\Program Files\\\\Python311\\\\python.exe",
"args": [
"-m",
"fxhoudinimcp"
]
}
}
}
Fit and risk
Not for
- Users without Houdini 20.5+
- Scenarios requiring real-time interactive operation with low latency
- Environments with strict security policies that cannot accept arbitrary Python execution
Required permissions
- Access Houdini's Python API to execute arbitrary hou.* calls
- Run code on Houdini's main thread, potentially blocking the UI
- Communicate with local Houdini over HTTP port (default 8100)
- May read/write files depending on tools used (e.g., rendering, caching)
Risks and side effects
- Arbitrary Python execution: improper AI instructions could damage scenes or systems
- Network port exposure: default binds to loopback, but widening could allow unauthorized access
- Performance overhead: each call has ~50 ms main-thread latency; many calls can slow Houdini
- Version compatibility: outdated plugins may cause malfunctions
Troubleshooting
- No MCP menu: check Houdini package log (set HOUDINI_PACKAGE_VERBOSE=1) to confirm package file loading
- Connection issues: run get_houdini_connection_status to check connection, ensure ports match
- Plugin not loading: check file paths in package file, avoid BOM encoding issues
- Port conflicts: if the port is occupied, Houdini adjusts automatically; client must scan ports
Use cases
Create a procedural rock generator with natural language
Set up a Pyro smoke simulation
Build a USD scene with camera, dome light, and ground plane
Create an HDA from a selected subnet
Debug why a scene has cooking errors
Supported clients
Claude DesktopFull support
Claude CodeFull support