VaraVision 1.3.0 · Native Houdini measurements and annotations
VaraVision
Measurements and annotations that stay with your Houdini scene, all the way to the final image.
Measure distances, angles and selected geometry. Add arrows, circles and callouts, keep everything organized in the VaraVision Outliner, and export a clean overlay from your render camera.
See what's new in 1.3.0The complete workflow
See VaraVision from first measurement to final render
Keep measurements inside Houdini, from first check to final delivery.
Get VaraVision for $24.95- VaraVision 1.3.0
- Targets Houdini 20.5+
- Windows · macOS · Linux
- Fully local · No account
VaraVision is for measurements you need to keep, present and deliver, not just a quick ruler check. Keep measurements and annotations in your hip file, organize them by context, and project them from the render camera as a crisp 2D overlay.
VaraVision 1.3.0
Take a look at the latest release
See some of the new measurement and annotation features in VaraVision 1.3.0.
How it compares
More than a quick ruler check
Houdini already has a useful ruler for quick checks. VaraVision is for measurements you need to keep, present and deliver.
- Saved with the scene. Reopen your hip file with your measurements, annotations and groups ready to use.
- Available in Solaris. Work in OBJ, per-object SOP and Solaris Stage scopes, including through a USD camera.
- Visible in the final image. Place measurements and annotations over the completed beauty render, or export them onto a transparent background.
- Ready to style and export. Control colors, labels, line width and unit suffixes, then export values, coordinates and group information to CSV.
Three quick examples
See VaraVision in action
Jump into the part of the workflow that matters to you. Each clip is short, focused and plays only when you choose it.
Keep the measurements, not another manual annotation pass.
Get VaraVision for $24.95Key features
Measure, organize and explain inside Houdini
Place measurements precisely
Click points for distances and three-point angles. Snap to geometry or existing measurement points, hold Shift to constrain a line to an axis, and press F to cycle axis choices. Move endpoints, name measurements, and undo or redo changes.
Measure selected geometry
Capture edge lengths, point-to-point distances, polygon area and perimeter, or selection bounds. Width, Height and Depth guides follow the camera-facing corner as you tumble the viewport.
Organize in the Outliner
Rename, reorder, hide or delete measurements and annotations in one panel. Drag items into nested groups, lock an item or a whole group, and Alt-click an eye to temporarily isolate it.
Add visual explanations
Highlight details with arrows, curved lines, camera-facing circles and text callouts. Adjust endpoints, bend curves and resize circles, with the same grouping, visibility and locking controls as measurements.
Keep guides in view
Guide geometry stays visible when you leave the tool, and Houdini's native snapping can use measurement guides to align geometry. Re-enter VaraVision for labels and editing. Everything stays in the hip file without adding scene nodes.
Keep each context separate
Independent OBJ, per-object SOP and Solaris Stage scopes keep guides with the context they belong to. VaraVision runs locally with no account or internet connection required.
Style the presentation
Adjust colors, label size, line width, marker size, decimals, ruler ticks, unit suffixes and offsets. Settings stay open while you measure, with live viewport updates and Cancel to restore the previous styling.
Render and export
Render measurements and annotations over a beauty pass or onto a transparent background using an Object or Solaris USD camera. Export names, values, coordinates, visibility and group information to CSV, including face measurements and annotations.
Selection measurements record the geometry as it was when measured. If the model changes, take a new measurement. Unit suffixes describe scene values without converting the scene scale.
Who it is for
Built for measurements you need to present
For Houdini artists who need to show real world dimensions to clients, supervisors or collaborators without recreating annotations by hand.
Requirements
What you need
- Targets SideFX Houdini 20.5+
- Windows, macOS or Linux
- OBJ, SOP or Solaris Stage viewport
Release 1.3.0 automated checks were run on Windows with Houdini 21.0.729 and 22.0.429. Other versions and platforms have not been verified for this release.
Installation
Two simple ways to install
Drag the HIP file into Houdini
Drag the included INSTALL.hip file into an open Houdini session, click Install, restart Houdini, then enable the VaraVision shelf.
Use the Python installer
Run the included one line Python installer from a terminal. Houdini does not need to be open during installation.
The tool runs from its own folder. If you move that folder later, install again from the new location. A PDF guide is included.
Why it exists
Created for real Houdini work
VaraVision is made by House of Visions, a 3D visualization studio. We built it for our own Houdini work, then prepared it for other artists. See the studio portfolio, or get in touch if you need help.
FAQ
Questions before you continue
What is VaraVision?
VaraVision is a native measurement and annotation tool for Houdini. Measure distances, angles and selected geometry, add visual callouts, and organize your guides in the Outliner. Everything saves with the hip file and can appear over your final render.
Which Houdini version does VaraVision need?
VaraVision targets Houdini 20.5+ on Windows, macOS and Linux. Automated checks for 1.3.0 ran on Windows with Houdini 21.0.729 and 22.0.429. Other versions and platforms have not been verified for this release.
Does VaraVision send anything online?
No. VaraVision runs locally without an account or internet connection. Measurements and annotations stay inside your hip file, with no extra scene nodes.
Does VaraVision work in Solaris and Stage?
Yes. VaraVision has independent OBJ, per-object SOP and Solaris Stage scopes. Each context keeps its own measurements and annotations, and overlays can use an Object or Solaris USD camera.
Can measurements appear in the final render?
Yes. Render measurements and annotations as a 2D overlay over a beauty pass or onto a transparent background for compositing.
Does the overlay require a specific render engine?
No. The guides render as a separate 2D overlay, so the beauty pass can come from the render engine you already use.
What units does VaraVision measure in?
VaraVision uses scene values. A suffix such as m labels those values without converting the scene scale. CSV exports include measurement and annotation names, values, coordinates, visibility and group information.
Do selection measurements follow changes to the model?
Selection measurements capture the geometry at the time you measure it. They do not update automatically after model edits. You can move measurement endpoints manually or measure the selection again.
Are guides visible when I leave the tool?
Yes. Guide geometry remains visible, and Houdini's native snapping can use measurement guides to align geometry. Re-enter VaraVision to see labels and edit your guides.
Where can I see the current price?
Current pricing and any available offer are shown on the VaraVision product page on Gumroad. VaraVision is a one time purchase with no subscription.
Can I get a refund if it does not fit my pipeline?
Digital product sales are final. If VaraVision is not working as described, contact House of Visions and we will help you troubleshoot the issue.
Changelog
What changed in VaraVision
1.3.0: Measurements, annotations and organization
- Separate measurement scopes for OBJ, per-object SOP and Solaris Stage contexts.
- VaraVision Outliner with nested groups, drag-and-drop ordering, locks and solo visibility.
- Measure Selection for edges, point distances, polygon area and perimeter, and selection bounds.
- Arrows, curved lines, camera-facing circles and text callouts.
- Persistent viewport guides and snapping to measurement guides.
- Render Overlay and CSV exports expanded to include annotations, face measurements and groups.
- Performance improvements and fixes for Stage selection, viewport guides and annotation handles.
1.2.0: Snapping and editing
Synchronized Houdini and VaraVision snapping controls. Disabling snapping also disables measurement endpoint snapping. Improved constrained-placement indicators, added Snap Circle Size settings and F to switch axes while holding Shift, and introduced undo and redo for measurement changes.
1.1.1: Styling and snap feedback
Added snap indicators for geometry and measurement endpoints, plus styling sliders with live viewport updates. Settings can stay open while measuring, and Cancel restores the previous settings.
1.1.0: Names and settings
Added distance line names to viewport labels, rendered overlays and CSV exports. Moved styling controls into Settings and added viewport shortcut hints toggled with Shift+F1.
Ready when you are
Keep your measurements and annotations with the Houdini scene.
Measure the details, explain them with callouts, and bring your guides into the final delivery.
Get VaraVision for $24.95