Install Natsura (Package Method)

This guide is for Windows. It gives the same result as choosing Package install in setup: Natsura loads every time you start that Houdini version.

Before you start

You need a production build of Houdini that starts without licence errors. Natsura is built for Houdini 20.5 (the Python 3.11 build); setup marks 21.0 as relatively tested, and 0.7.3 runs in Houdini 22. The examples use houdini20.5 for Houdini's own folder; for another version, use its folder instead, such as houdini21.0.

1. Run Houdini once

Start Houdini from the SideFX launcher, check it opens without licence errors, and close it. This creates Houdini's user folder:

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

2. Unzip Natsura

Log in at natsura.com, download the build for your Houdini licence, and unzip it somewhere you will keep it, such as:

C:/Users/yourname/Documents/natsura/

It contains Natsura.json, houdini20.5/ and houdini20.5_UI/, among other files. The folders are named houdini20.5 whichever Houdini version you run.

3. Add the package file

Create a packages folder inside Houdini's user folder if there isn't one (lowercase, exactly that name), and copy Natsura.json from the Natsura folder into it:

C:/Users/yourname/Documents/houdini20.5/packages/Natsura.json

Open the copy in a text editor and replace both NATSURA/INSTALL/PATH with the path to your Natsura folder, using forward slashes:

{
  "path": "$NATSURA;$NATSURA_UI",
  "load_package_once": true,
  "env": [
    { "NATSURA": "C:/Users/yourname/Documents/natsura/houdini20.5" },
    { "NATSURA_UI": "C:/Users/yourname/Documents/natsura/houdini20.5_UI" }
  ]
}

If you copy the path from the File Explorer address bar, it comes with backslashes (C:\Users\...). Change every \ to /.

Keep both paths. houdini20.5_UI starts Natsura when Houdini's interface is ready: the session log, the Natsura desktop and the upgrade of older scenes on open all depend on it.

4. Start Houdini

Start Houdini normally. Natsura is running when there is a Natsura menu in the main menu bar and the Welcome Screen opens. Natsura asks for your licence key the first time a Natsura node cooks; copy it from your dashboard on natsura.com. To change it later, use Natsura > Change License.

Troubleshooting