Houdini Path Replace Tool

Simple Houdini shelf tool script for previewing and replacing file path prefixes on selected nodes.

Year

2024

Role

Tool Development

Software

Houdini • Python

Techniques

Path replacement • Batch utility workflow • UI scripting

This tool was built to speed up a small but repetitive production task inside Houdini: updating file path prefixes across selected nodes without manually editing each parameter.

What It Does

The tool opens a lightweight dialog where you define an old path prefix and a new one. It scans the selected nodes, previews the matched changes, and applies the replacements only after confirmation.

Why It Is Useful

In production, path structures often change because of versioning, folder reorganization, or handoff requirements. This script reduces manual cleanup and makes it easier to update multiple nodes in a controlled way.

Workflow

Select the Houdini nodes you want to process
Run the shelf tool
Enter the old and new path prefixes
Review the preview list of detected changes
Confirm to apply the replacements

Implementation Notes

The script targets string parameters that use file path types
Matching is based on startswith, so the old prefix must begin at the start of the path
Example:
- Correct: $HIP/2D to $HIP/3D
- Incorrect: 2D to 3D

Installation

Open Houdini
Open the Shelves toolbar
Create a new shelf tool
Set the language to Python
Paste the script contents into the tool
Save it to your preferred shelf

Repository

The source code for this tool is available on GitHub:

houdini-path-replace-tool