Handcrafted AI: Building a Neural Network in Houdini with VEX | Ivan Rys | Houdini Horizon

In this talk, we’ll explore the fundamentals of neural networks, starting with a brief introduction to their core concepts and mathematical foundations. We’ll then dive into building a perceptron - the simplest building block of a network - entirely within Houdini using VEX. From there, we’ll expand this structure into a basic neural network capable of recognizing handwritten digits from the MNIST dataset. You can now download the project file and inspect it for yourself here --- - - - - - - - - - - - - Ivan Rys is a digital artist and 3D Motion Designer based in Toronto. His work blends mathematical algorithms, natural phenomena, and digital artistry to explore the complexity of the world around us. With experience in film, TV series, projection mapping, and advertising, Ivan is currently focused on 3D Motion Design and expanding his practice as a multimedia artist.