The Parametric Hairstyle Generator is part of the MetaHuman Groom Tools for Houdini. It is an experimental grooming system designed to simplify the creation and iteration of hairstyles by combining pre-built guide data and category-driven style parameters for control over hairlines, follicles, guides, and strands through adjustable, slider-based workflows that replace complex node graph setups.
The parametric tools allow artists to explore and refine hairstyles using sliders and procedural regions instead of manual guide grooming. This makes it easier to experiment with broad changes, such as adjusting overall shape or hairline position, without rebuilding the groom manually.
Both non-specialists and technical artists can use the Parametric Hairstyle Generator to block out and refine hairstyles with minimal setup time. The result is a faster approach to hair creation inside Houdini.
A streamlined two-click import/export process using MH Groom Export ensures compatibility between Houdini grooms and Unreal Engine’s MetaHuman framework.
Houdini Compatibility
MetaHuman Groom Tools are supported in Houdini 20.5 and later, as part of the MetaHuman in Houdini. For installation and setup instructions, please refer to the MetaHuman Groom Tools Setup Guide. This page provides detailed steps for downloading, installing, and configuring the HDAs within your Houdini environment.
Houdini Terminology
Object Network: The Object or “Scene” level (/obj/) contains the “top-level” objects of your scene (geometry objects, groom workspaces, lights, cameras). For more information see: Object Nodes.
OBJ level MH Groom tools Geometry (SOP) networks: A Geometry object at the object level contains a geometry (SOP - Surface Operator) network inside. This network holds the geometry nodes that control the flow of geometry through the nodes, from nodes that generate new geometry through nodes that modify the geometry. For more information see: Geometry Nodes.
SOP level MH Groom Hairstyle Generator: The Hairstyle Generator operates at the SOP level within Houdini.
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MH Groom Hairstyle Generator
Parametric Hairstyle Generator used to simplify MetaHuman hair creation in Houdini.
MH Groom Hairstyle Generator
Parametric Hairstyle Generator used to simplify MetaHuman hair creation in Houdini.