Junichiro Horikawa shows how to create impossible Penrose objects and animate them in Houdini.

Penrose objects represent a physical impossibility in reality. But in the 3D world, well, anything is possible. In his latest SideFX Houdini tutorial, Junichiro Horikawa shows how to create a 3D impossible object and animate it in an optical illusion.

Impossible Penrose Objects in Houdini.

“I saw many people modeling this geometry with engaging animation, so I challenged myself, making one in my way,” Horikawa says. He’s right, I’ve posted a tutorial from Pedro Alpiarça, who shows how to create an impossible triangle in Houdini. Others, like Motion Array, have created a similar effect in After Effects.

Junichiro Horikawa’s Algorithmic Design Workbook.

If you like this type of generative artwork, you should check out Horikawa’s Algorithmic Design Workbook. It has twentyone various exercises with two solutions for each. The book allows you to explore multiple possibilities in the procedural modeling process.

Algorithmic Design Workbook covers topics from “look at target” to “attractor transformation” and Particle morphing.

The book is available in both English and Japanese.

About Junichiro Horikawa.

Born in Tokyo / Japan. MSc in Meiji University. March in Columbia University AAD. Worked in Noiz Architects for 4 years and working as a freelance right now, mostly in the architectural / IT field. Junichiro Horikawa works with algorithmic and parametric design in architecture. He takes an interest in VR, AR, Games, and other media. Mostly interested in crossing those two fields together to create a better design system.