Install Natsura (Package Method)

Before you start

This is a Windows-only, step-by-step guide for installing Natsura by hand using Houdini’s package system. It produces the same result as answering Yes to the package prompt in Installation; you're just writing the package file yourself.

For which Houdini versions each Natsura build supports, see Requirements.

Natsura supports Houdini 20.5 and Houdini 21.0. This guide uses 20.5 in all example paths. If you are installing for Houdini 21.0, replace every houdini20.5 with houdini21.0 and every 20.5 with 21.0 throughout.

You should be able to say "yes" to all of these:

• You’re on Windows 10 or 11
• You have the SideFX Houdini Launcher installed
• You have Houdini 20.5 or 21.0 – Python 3.11 (production build) installed from the SideFX launcher
• Houdini starts without license errors

Step 1 – Install Houdini 20.5 or 21.0 (Python 3.11)

1. Open the SideFX Houdini Launcher.
2. Install Houdini 20.5 – Python 3.11 or Houdini 21.0 – Python 3.11 (production build).

Step 2 – Run Houdini once

1. In the SideFX launcher, start Houdini 20.5 or 21.0 – Python 3.11.
2. Confirm:
   • Houdini opens.
   • No license error windows appear.
3. Close Houdini.

This creates the folder:

C:/Users/yourwindowsusername/Documents/houdini20.5/

If your name is aHamerRocks, the path should look like this:

C:/Users/aHamerRocks/Documents/houdini20.5/

Step 3 – Download and unzip Natsura

1. Go to https://natsura.com.
2. Log in / create an account.
3. Download the latest Natsura build for Windows (ZIP).
4. In File Explorer, create this folder:

C:/Users/yourwindowsusername/Documents/natsura

5. Unzip the Natsura ZIP into that folder.

You should now have:

C:/Users/yourwindowsusername/Documents/natsura/houdini20.5/
C:/Users/yourwindowsusername/Documents/natsura/houdini20.5_UI/   (optional)

Example on Windows (what it should look like):

Step 4 – Open the Houdini preferences folder

In File Explorer, go to:

C:/Users/yourwindowsusername/Documents/houdini20.5/

You’ll put the Natsura package file in here (next step).

Step 5 – Create the packages folder

Inside:

C:/Users/yourwindowsusername/Documents/houdini20.5/

you must have a folder named packages.

If it doesn’t exist, create it:

C:/Users/yourwindowsusername/Documents/houdini20.5/packages/

Step 6 – Create natsura.json

Now you tell Houdini where Natsura lives.

1. Open:

   C:/Users/yourwindowsusername/Documents/houdini20.5/packages/
   

2. Right-click → New → Text Document.
3. Name it exactly: natsura.json
   (not natsura.json.txt – enable file extensions if needed).
4. Open natsura.json in your text editor.
5. Paste the block that matches your Houdini version:

Houdini 20.5:

{
  "path": ["$NATSURA", "$NATSURA_UI"],

  "load_package_once": true,
  "enable": true,
  "version": "20.5",

  "env": [
    {
      "NATSURA_ROOT": "C:/Users/yourwindowsusername/Documents/natsura"
    },
    {
      "NATSURA": "$NATSURA_ROOT/houdini20.5"
    },
    {
      "NATSURA_UI": "$NATSURA_ROOT/houdini20.5_UI"
    }
  ]
}

Houdini 21.0:

{
  "path": ["$NATSURA", "$NATSURA_UI"],

  "load_package_once": true,
  "enable": true,
  "version": "21.0",

  "env": [
    {
      "NATSURA_ROOT": "C:/Users/yourwindowsusername/Documents/natsura"
    },
    {
      "NATSURA": "$NATSURA_ROOT/houdini21.0"
    },
    {
      "NATSURA_UI": "$NATSURA_ROOT/houdini21.0_UI"
    }
  ]
}

Screenshot example of the correct place:

1. In File Explorer, go to the Natsura folder:

   C:/Users/yourwindowsusername/Documents/natsura
   

2. Click once on the address bar at the top.
   It becomes plain text like:

   C:\Users\yourwindowsusername\Documents\natsura
   

3. Press Ctrl + C to copy it.
4. In natsura.json, replace the NATSURA_ROOT line with the correct path:

   "NATSURA_ROOT: C:\Users\yourwindowsusername\Documents\natsura"
   

5. now, you must change the slashes from \ to /

"NATSURA_ROOT": "C:/Users/yourwindowsusername/Documents/natsura"

Step 7 – Start Houdini and check Natsura

Now we do the first and only check.

1. Start Houdini 20.5 or 21.0 – Python 3.11.
2. Watch the startup:
   • No license errors.
   • No Python/Qt errors mentioning Natsura.
3. When Houdini is open, it should look similar to:

You’re done if:

• Title bar says Houdini 20.5.x – Py3.11 or Houdini 21.0.x – Py3.11.
• You see a Natsura menu / shelf.
• The Simulate node works without Python/Qt errors.

Your folders and file should look like:

The first time Natsura runs, it will ask for your Natsura license key:

1. Go to https://natsura.com.
2. Open your dashboard.
3. Paste your license key into the prompt in Houdini.

If Natsura does not appear, go to Troubleshooting.

Troubleshooting

C:/Users/yourwindowsusername/Documents/houdini20.5/
# or for Houdini 21.0:
C:/Users/yourwindowsusername/Documents/houdini21.0/

C:\Users\yourwindowsusername\Documents\natsura

"NATSURA_ROOT": "C:/Users/yourwindowsusername/Documents/natsura"