Houdini Apprentice Too Small for Indie Users

As an avid user of Houdini, I want to express my gratitude to SideFX for their generosity in offering the apprentice version of their software. However, I strongly recommend that anyone interested in trying out Houdini should first familiarize themselves with the limitations and potential issues that come with using the apprentice version.

My personal experience has been a frustrating one, as I've encountered numerous crashes and rendering issues while attempting to use the apprentice version. Despite my decent graphics card (NVIDIA Titan) and latest drivers, the software seems to be plagued by GPU-related problems. This is particularly disconcerting, considering that SideFX explicitly states on their website that 'Workstation-class OpenGL graphics cards, such as NVidia Quadro and AMD Fire Pro, are required for professional use in production.'

Moreover, I've noticed that even entering my license key (HKEY) crashes the software, often resulting in menu and UI issues. This has been a source of significant frustration, wasting an entire day and potentially more time trying to get the software up and running.

While it's not surprising that SideFX would prioritize their professional users with powerful workstation-class GPUs, I believe that indie users should be aware of these limitations before investing in the apprentice version. In my opinion, the packaging is geared towards mainstream users who may not have access to such high-end graphics cards.

I'm not alone in my experience; others have reported similar issues and crashes while using Houdini apprentice. As someone who has had a decent experience with the software in the past (albeit with occasional crashes), I'm disappointed that this version is so problematic.

In conclusion, if you're an indie user considering trying out Houdini, I strongly recommend playing around with the apprentice version first to get a feel for its limitations. It may be worth exploring alternative solutions that better meet your needs and budget. As a fan of SideFX, I hope they take these concerns seriously and continue to improve their software to make it more accessible to a wider range of users.

Houdini apprentice too small