MKE Tools

A comprehensive Houdini package providing utility tools and HDAs for VFX pipeline management and workflow optimization.

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Installation
• Tools
  • Python Scripts
  • HDAs (Houdini Digital Assets)
  • Shelf Tools
• Usage
• Project Structure
• Requirements
• Contributing

Overview

MKE Tools is a production-ready package designed to streamline VFX workflows in SideFX Houdini. It includes project setup automation, texture conversion utilities, version control helpers, and specialized LOP (Lighting/USD) nodes for modern USD-based pipelines.

Installation

1. Download/Clone the MKE_Tools package to your Houdini packages directory:

   $HOUDINI_USER_PREF_DIR/packages/MKE_Tools
   

2. Package Configuration: The package automatically configures the following environment variables:

   • MKETOOLS_DIR: Points to the package directory
   • HOUDINI_TOOLBAR_PATH: Adds the toolbar directory
   • HOUDINI_PATH: Adds config/icons directory
   • PYTHONPATH: Adds scripts directory

3. Restart Houdini to load the tools.

Tools

Python Scripts

🏗️ Project Setup (projectSetup.py)

Purpose: Automated project structure creation with industry-standard folder hierarchy.

Features:

• Interactive GUI for project configuration
• Customizable folder structure with presets for:
  • ASSET, CHARACTER, ENVIRONMENT, FX, RND projects
• Automatic environment variable setup ($JOB, $HIP, $CACHE)
• Initial .hip file creation with version naming
• Configurable cache directory location

Typical Folder Structure Created:

ProjectName/
├── 3D/
│   ├── CACHES/
│   └── SCENES/
├── USD/
├── PIPELINE/
├── REFERENCES/
├── _DAILIES/
├── IN/
│   ├── ASSETS/
│   ├── PROPS/
│   ├── CHARACTERS/
│   ├── ENVIRONMENT/
│   ├── CAMERAS/
│   └── TEXTURES/
└── OUT/
    └── [PROJECT_TYPE]/

💾 Save Up (saveUp.py)

Purpose: Intelligent version increment for Houdini scene files.

Features:

• Automatic version number detection (e.g., _v0001, _v0002)
• Increments version and saves new file
• Handles unsaved scenes gracefully
• Maintains file naming conventions

🎨 RAT Converter (ratConverter.py)

Purpose: Batch conversion of texture files to Houdini's RAT format for optimized rendering.

Features:

• Multi-threaded processing for fast conversion
• Recursive subdirectory scanning
• Progress tracking and cancellation support
• Automatic thread count optimization
• Support for common texture formats

🔗 Houdini VSCode Integration (houdiniVSC.py)

Purpose: Generates VSCode configuration for Houdini Python development.

Features:

• Exports Python interpreter path
• Configures Python analysis paths
• Enables proper IntelliSense for Houdini modules
• JSON output for direct VSCode settings integration

HDAs (Houdini Digital Assets)

All HDAs are LOP (Lighting/USD) nodes designed for modern USD workflows:

📦 MKE Import (lop_MKE.dev.mke_import.1.0.hdalc)

• Specialized USD import node with enhanced pipeline integration
• Supports development workflow features

💾 MKE File Cache (lop_MKE.mke_filecache.1.0.hdalc)

• Enhanced USD file caching with pipeline-aware features
• Optimized for production file management

🎭 MKE Preference Assign (lop_MKE.mke_pref_assign.1.0.hdalc)

• USD preference and metadata assignment
• Streamlined attribute management

🎬 MKE Render Layer (lop_MKE.mke_render_layer.1.0.hdalc)

• Advanced render layer management for USD
• Multi-layer rendering workflow support

🚀 MKE Submitter (lop_MKE.mke_submitter.1.1.hdalc)

• Render farm submission integration
• Batch processing and queue management

Environment Variables

The package sets up the following variables:

• $CACHE: Cache files directory
• $MKETOOLS_DIR: Package installation directory

Project Structure

MKE_Tools/
├── MKE_Tools.json          # Package configuration
├── README.md               # This file
├── config/
│   └── icons/             # UI icons and logos
├── otls/                  # Houdini Digital Assets (HDAs)
├── scripts/
│   └── python/            # Python utilities
│       └── ui/            # UI components
└── toolbar/
    └── mke_utils.shelf    # Houdini shelf definition

Requirements

• Houdini 20.0+ (tested on Houdini 20.0 & 20.5)
• Python 3.7+ (included with Houdini)
• PySide2 (included with Houdini)

Contributing

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Make changes and test thoroughly
4. Submit a pull request

License

This project is part of the MKE Tools pipeline package.

Support

For issues, feature requests, or questions:

• Create an issue in the repository
• Contact me