Storytelling with Materials and Lighting Simon walked us through his lighting choices, emphasizing the power of a well-placed light and the impact of silhouette. He discussed his preference for minimal lighting setups, allowing the story to dictate the illumination. He also showcased his use of Greyscalegorilla materials, like hammered metal and performance fabrics, adapted and blended to create unique textures and effects, even incorporating live data feeds into his materials. The Houdini Revelation Simons journey from Cinema 4D to Houdini wasnt just about switching toolsit was about breaking past creative limitations. While he was always at the forefront of C4Ds capabilities, pushing Xpresso and dynamics to their limits, he found himself constantly running into walls with complex procedural setups. The turning point came when he worked on a project involving dynamic subdivisions. After painstakingly building it in Cinema 4D with Xpresso, he saw how effortlessly the same system was replicated in Houdinionly faster, more flexible, and instantly reusable. That was the moment Simon realized the power of Houdinis procedural workflow. It wasnt just about speed; it was about future-proofing his work, creating tools that could be reused effortlessly. While Cinema 4D has evolved significantly, incorporating more procedural elements, Simons shift to Houdini allowed him to build the kinds of modular, scalable systems that define his signature work today. The Power of Curiosity Simon Holmedals journey is an inspiration to aspiring 3D artists everywhere. His willingness to experiment, embrace new technologies, and share his knowledge makes him a true innovator in the field. Manifold is a testament to the power of curiosity and the transformative potential of Houdini. Inspired? Check out the full version of Manifold and discover more of their captivating work.