Texturing in COPs – The lost alien project by Rohan Dalvi

On April 27, 2026

Author:Rohan Dalvi

Duration:8 hours 10 minutes

Actual Duration:6h 47m

Release date:2024, October

Publisher:Rohan Dalvi

Skill level:Intermediate

Language:English

Exercise files:Yes

Software:Houdini, Karma XPU, MaterialX, KineFX

Course URL:https://www.rohandalvi.net/texturing-in-cops

Learn to texture a complete alien project from scratch in Houdini 20.5 using the new COPs nodes, covering modeling, rigging, FX, and rendering.

This course is your ticket to mastering texturing in Houdini 20.5, using the brand-new COPs nodes on a complete project from start to finish. You’ll build an entire scene, from modeling and rigging to VFX and final rendering, all within Houdini.

🎯 What you’ll learn

Model a detailed alien character and spaceship interior/exterior.
Rig the alien using KineFX for posing.
Create complex textures using COPs and MaterialX.
Simulate pyro effects for spaceship exhaust.
Light and render the entire scene with Karma XPU.
Understand a full CG pipeline from scratch.

✅ Requirements

Skills: Basic working knowledge of Houdini.
Tools: Standard 3D modeling tools.
Hardware: A computer capable of running Houdini and Karma XPU smoothly.

📝 Description

This training dives deep into texturing using Houdini’s new COPs (Compositing Operators) in version 20.5, but it’s way more than just texturing. You’ll follow along as we build a complete project from the ground up: “The Lost Alien Project.” This means we’ll cover everything from initial character modeling and hard surface modeling for the spaceship, to rigging the alien with KineFX. We’ll then move into UV unwrapping and dive headfirst into COPs for all the texturing work, creating unique looks for the alien, spaceship, and environment. You’ll also learn to set up MaterialX shaders and even handle pyro simulations for exhaust effects. Finally, we’ll bring it all together in Solaris for lighting and render the entire scene using Karma XPU. This course is designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of a full CG pipeline within Houdini.

🧑‍🎓 Who this course is for

Intermediate Houdini users looking to explore texturing with COPs.
Artists who want to learn a complete CG pipeline from modeling to rendering.
Anyone interested in creating detailed character and environment assets.
Professionals looking to update their skills with Houdini 20.5 features.

🧑‍🏫 About the Author

Rohan Dalvi is a seasoned 3D artist and educator known for his in-depth tutorials on Houdini. He has a knack for breaking down complex workflows into digestible steps, making advanced techniques accessible to a wider audience. His expertise spans modeling, VFX, texturing, and rendering, with a particular focus on practical, project-based learning.

🏁 Final Result

A portfolio-ready scene featuring a textured alien character posed inside a detailed spaceship, complete with VFX elements and professional lighting, all rendered in Karma XPU.

Curriculum

📋 Course content

Alien Model: Model the alien using VDB and poly modeling tools.
Alien Rig: Generate bones for the alien model using KineFX.
Model Spaceship Seat: Use polyextrude and poly slice to model the seat.
Spaceship Body Interior: Use standard poly modeling tools to build the ship interior.
Control Panel and Joysticks: Build the controls for the spaceship using interior curves.
Pose the Alien: Use the KineFX setup to pose the alien inside the spaceship.
Exterior Spaceship Body: Model the exterior using curves and revolve.
Headlights: Model the headlights for the spaceship using basic spheres and the clip node.
Environment: Model the sign and grass for the environment.
Alien Texturing Setup: Set attributes on the alien body for texturing.
Alien COPs Setup: Texture the alien using attributes and fractal noise in COPs.
Alien Eye COPs Setup: Build the eye texture using custom UVs, noise maps, and ramps.
Spaceship Body COPs Setup: Texture the spaceship using noise maps and the stamp points node.
Control Panel COPs Setup: Build a UI for the control panel using SDF shapes.
Number Plate COPs Setup: Create a phone icon for the number plate using SDF shapes.
Headlights COPs Setup: Make a normal map for the headlights using the tile pattern node.
Cow Sign COPs Setup: Create a complex farm sign and cow logo using SDF shapes.
Solaris Setup and Lighting: Import models into Solaris and light the scene.
Shader Setup: Build all shaders for the scene using textures created in COPs.
Pyro Sim and Shader Setup: Create a simple pyro sim for the spaceship exhaust and set up its shader.