Houdini

Houdini was created in 1996 by Side Effects Software, a company founded by Kim Davidson and Greg Hermanovic. It was developed to provide a powerful, procedural approach to 3D animation and visual effects, allowing artists to create complex simulations and effects more efficiently than traditional methods. Over the years, Houdini became a staple in the film, television, and gaming industries for its robust capabilities and flexibility.

Houdini's strengths include its procedural workflow, powerful simulation tools, and flexibility for complex effects. Weaknesses are its steep learning curve and high system requirements. Competitors include Autodesk Maya, Cinema 4D, and Blender.

A Houdini expert must have proficiency in procedural modeling, knowledge of VEX and Python scripting, expertise in dynamics and simulation (fluids, particles, destruction), experience with shading and rendering using Mantra or other render engines, and familiarity with node-based workflows.