Installing Arnold and its plugin in Houdini
TECH
1/23/20251 min read
Fixing Arnold for Houdini Setup Issues (HtoA) on Windows
If you're having trouble setting up Arnold in Houdini (HtoA), follow these steps to solve it.
Step 1: Download the Right Versions
Go to the Arnold Download Page and log in to Autodesk.
Download Arnold that matches your version of Houdini.
Step 2: Install Arnold for Houdini (HtoA)
Run the Arnold installer.
Find your Arnold installation folder. For example, mine is located at:
C:\Users\YourUsername\htoa\htoa-6.3.2.2_r5cd9303_houdini-20.5.278.py310
Make sure your folder contains the correct subfolders like:
arnold
config
scripts
This will ensure you're in the right directory for HtoA.
Step 3: Configure Houdini to Use Arnold
Option 1: Edit houdini.env
Go to C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents\houdini20.5\houdini.env.
Add these lines, but replace YourUsername with your actual Windows username and replace the path htoa-6.3.2.2_r5cd9303_houdini-20.5.278.py310 with the actual path where Arnold for Houdini (HtoA) is installed on your system.
For example, if your Arnold for Houdini is installed in:
C:\Users\YourUsername\htoa\htoa-6.3.2.2_r5cd9303_houdini-20.5.278.py310
The lines should look like this:
HOUDINI_PATH = C:/Users/YourUsername/htoa/htoa-6.3.2.2_r5cd9303_houdini-20.5.278.py310/htoa-6.3.2.2_r5cd9303_houdini-20.5.278.py310;&
PATH = $PATH;C:/Users/YourUsername/htoa/htoa-6.3.2.2_r5cd9303_houdini-20.5.278.py310/htoa-6.3.2.2_r5cd9303_houdini-20.5.278.py310/bin
Option 2: Use htoa.json (Package System)
Go to C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents\houdini20.5\packages.
Create or edit htoa.json with the following, but replace YourUsername and the Arnold path htoa-6.3.2.2_r5cd9303_houdini-20.5.278.py310 with your actual paths:
For example:
{
"env": {
"HOUDINI_PATH": "C:/Users/YourUsername/htoa/htoa-6.3.2.2_r5cd9303_houdini-20.5.278.py310/htoa-6.3.2.2_r5cd9303_houdini-20.5.278.py310;&",
"PATH": "C:/Users/YourUsername/htoa/htoa-6.3.2.2_r5cd9303_houdini-20.5.278.py310/htoa-6.3.2.2_r5cd9303_houdini-20.5.278.py310/bin;$PATH"
}
}
Step 4: Restart Houdini
Close and reopen Houdini.
Check if Arnold is available in Render Settings.
Conclusion
Follow these steps to get Arnold working in Houdini. If issues persist, double-check your installation paths and license.
For more detailed information, check the official Arnold for Houdini installation guide.
For more info, visit the Arnold Download Page.