Houdini 20.5 is another significant update with new tools for all production pipelines, from asset development to shot layout and rendering. Key highlights include a new Multi Material MPM solver, enhanced features in the character rigging and animation system KineFX, and updates in the Karma renderer. The update also introduces COPERNICUS, an experimental new context for COP compositing nodes in Houdini, merging 2D and 3D workflows. Below you can find the main changes and features showcased in the video.

Unusually for a Houdini update, a large portion of the new features are not simulation-related, despite the addition of the new Material Point Method (MPM) solver. Similar to the existing Vellum solver, MPM can simulate various types of materials, as demonstrated in the video with objects moving through granular materials like sand and snow.
Instead, the most significant new set of tools is COPERNICUS - a "completely re-engineered and reimagined context" for COPs (Compositing Operators) in Houdini. It features a "flexible architecture blending 2D and 3D," and most of the features showcased in the video focus on material creation and object distribution on surfaces. The initial release supports only "the most basic" compositing capabilities. Key capabilities include new workflows for creating 3D textures, as well as new options for NPR (Non-Photorealistic Rendering) and toon shading for geometry and volumetric effects.

KineFX is a new framework in Houdini for rigging and character animation, which has reached Beta 2 with new capabilities including non-destructive layer animation workflows. Karma CPU and XPU versions of the Houdini rendering engine, for CPU-based and CPU/GPU-based path tracing, have approached feature parity thanks to significant updates to XPU.

The new Vulkan viewport, introduced in Houdini 20.0, is nearly on par with the old OpenGL viewport in terms of capabilities and is now the default option. Houdini's support for AI workflows continues to evolve with the addition of a new ONNX output node and "a specialized set of SOP and TOP tools for ML training automation."

Regarding 3D modeling and retopology, the following capabilities can be noted:
- Fast sculpting using a set of "brush" tools for high-resolution meshes,
- Working with SOP planes for "soft" geometry,
- Four-dimensional remeshing with directional control elements.

The release of Houdini 20.5 is scheduled for mid-July. The current stable release, Houdini 20.0, is compatible with Windows 8 and above, macOS 11.0 and above, as well as various Linux distributions. The software is available in multiple editions:

- **Houdini FX**, the full version with node-locked licenses priced at $4,495 and floating licenses at $6,995. It includes advanced simulation tools.
- **Houdini Core**, which lacks advanced simulation tools, costs $1,995 for node-locked licenses and $2,995 for floating licenses.
- There is also a **free educational edition**, Houdini Apprentice, and a more affordable rental-only edition called **Houdini Indie**. Both versions save files in different formats.