GSOPs 2.9.0 Release

- Add `GSOPS_USER_DATA_DIR` env var support to customize config location
(for pipeline)
- Add support for H21 (installer, precompiled binaries, package)
- Add `gaussian_splats_convert` SOP to seamlessly work with both GSOPs and
native H21 splat attributes/conventions (thank you Dominik Lange for the assist!)

Author: david-rhodes

.gsops/config.json

@@ -1,14 +1,14 @@
 {
     "ophide_levels": {
         "0": {
-            "Lop": [
-                "*gaussian_splats_import*"
-            ],
             "Sop": [
-                "*gaussian_splats_enhance*",
                 "*gaussian_splats_histogram*",
+                "*gaussian_splats_sharpen*",
                 "*gaussian_splats_mirror*",
-                "*gaussian_splats_sharpen*"
+                "*gaussian_splats_enhance*"
+            ],
+            "Lop": [
+                "*gaussian_splats_import*"
             ]
         }
     },

README.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-# GSOPs 2.8 (Gaussian Splatting Operators) for SideFX Houdini 20.5
+# GSOPs 2.9 (Gaussian Splatting Operators) for SideFX Houdini 20.5 and 21.0
 
-[Watch the GSOPs 2.5 Sizzle Reel](https://youtu.be/-_gqsi6NYcY)
+[Watch the GSOPs Sizzle Reel](https://youtu.be/-_gqsi6NYcY)
 
 [Watch the GSOPs Showcase](https://youtu.be/XZUUATb1u28)
 
@@ -50,15 +50,19 @@ As a token of our appreciation, you'll gain access to [exclusive content](https:
 Need support, private modifications, or commercial usage? Custom site licenses tailored to your studio’s needs are available upon request. Contact us at gsops.project@gmail.com for more information.
 
 ## Installation
-1. Clone this repository (use the `develop` branch for the latest and greatest).
-    * **[Using Git CLI]** `git clone https://github.com/cgnomads/GSOPs`
-    * **[Using [GitHub Desktop](https://desktop.github.com/download/)]** Clone repository with URL: `https://github.com/cgnomads/GSOPs.git`
-2. Install and configure the GSOPs Houdini package by opening the `hip/gsops_installer.hip` file in Houdini, selecting the `INSTALL_GSOPS` node and clicking `INSTALL`.
+Clone this repository (use the `develop` branch for the latest and greatest).
+* **[Using Git CLI]** `git clone https://github.com/cgnomads/GSOPs`
+* **[Using [GitHub Desktop](https://desktop.github.com/download/)]** Clone repository with URL: `https://github.com/cgnomads/GSOPs.git`
+### Automatic
+1. Install and configure the GSOPs Houdini package by opening the `hip/gsops_installer.hip` file in Houdini, selecting the `INSTALL_GSOPS` node and clicking `INSTALL`.
 
     <img width="548" alt="419229706-0c526dae-0ed9-4ab0-b986-9924f29c1481" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a0a08d0a-f6ea-491b-9419-a2e9e0fc706b" />
-    
-3. The installer will ask if you want to download sample data. Select "Yes" if you're interested in exploring our example content (recommended).
-4. **[Optional]** Install the latest SideFX Labs release.
+2. The installer will ask if you want to download sample data. Select "Yes" if you're interested in exploring our example content (recommended).
+### Manual
+1. Copy the `packages` directory from the cloned repo location to your Houdini user preferences directory. 
+2. For each version of Houdini you want to use with GSOPs, change the "GSOPS" environment variable in the `.json` to your GSOPs clone location. (e.g., in `GSOPs_20.5.json` or `GSOPs_20.1.json`). 
+3. [Optional] Change the `GSOPS_USER_DATA_DIR` value as you see fit. This is where GSOPS configuration data will be stored--it needs to be a writeable location!
+4. [Optional] Download sample data using the GSOPs shelf button.
 
 ### Early Access Supporters
 Activate your license using the GSOPs shelf button.    
@@ -87,16 +91,19 @@ Activate your license using the GSOPs shelf button.
 
 GSOPs is packed with features. For more information regarding any of the nodes shown above, please check the [wiki](https://github.com/cgnomads/GSOPs/wiki/GSOPs-Nodes) and reference the built-in help cards.
 
-## [NEW & EARLY ACCESS] Support for Compressed Splats
+## [NEW] Houdini 21 Native Gaussian Splatting Interoperability
+Houdini 21 has native Gaussian Splatting, but SideFX uses different attribute data conventions. Use the `Gaussian Splats Convert` SOP to convert between GSOPs and Houdini's native conventions. 
+
+## [EARLY ACCESS] Support for Compressed Splats
 In addition to `.ply`, import `.splat` and `.spz` file formats.
 
-## [NEW & EARLY ACCESS] Configurable Viewport Renderer
+## [EARLY ACCESS] Configurable Viewport Renderer
 Unlock "live compositing" (traditional geometry and splats with proper depth sorting), "depth" and "worldPos" render modes.
 
-## [NEW & EARLY ACCESS] Gaussian Splats Histogram
+## [EARLY ACCESS] Gaussian Splats Histogram
 Plot and edit splats in histogram space based on any floating point attribute. This provides a fun and intuitive way to apply targeted edits to your scene.
 
-## [UPDATED & EARLY ACCESS] Gaussian Splats Enhance
+## [EARLY ACCESS] Gaussian Splats Enhance
 Add feature attributes to your splats, generate and/or improve normals, and add ambient occlusion and roughness approximations. These attributes can now be used by the `Gaussian Splats Relight IBL` node. 
 
 ## [EARLY ACCESS] Gaussian Splats Sharpen
@@ -112,13 +119,13 @@ Mirror your splats while preserving proper view dependent effects (spherical har
 The `Gaussian Splats Import` SOP now accepts [2DGS](https://github.com/hbb1/2d-gaussian-splatting) models!
 
 ## Coarse Meshing
-GSOPs 2.5 introduces dependency-free coarse meshing for 3D Gaussian Splatting. Coarse meshes are an effective "sparse node graph" for splat editing operations.
+GSOPs 2.5 introduced dependency-free coarse meshing for 3D Gaussian Splatting. Coarse meshes are an effective "sparse node graph" for splat editing operations.
 
 * [Coarse Meshing Utilities](https://github.com/cgnomads/GSOPs/wiki/GSOPs-Nodes#coarse-meshing)
 * [Coarse Meshing Guidelines](https://github.com/cgnomads/GSOPs/wiki/Coarse-Meshing-Guidelines)
 
 ## Splat Animation Sequences
-* It's possible to create, import, edit, and export splat animation sequences (one .ply per file). You can load and render these in [Postshot](https://www.jawset.com/), [SuperSplat](https://playcanvas.com/supersplat/editor/), [Brush](https://github.com/ArthurBrussee/brush), and [Unity](https://github.com/cgnomads/GSOPs/blob/develop/extra/UnityGaussianSplatting/INSTRUCTIONS.md).
+* It's possible to create, import, edit, and export splat animation sequences (one .ply per file). You can load and render these in [Postshot](https://www.jawset.com/), [SuperSplat](https://playcanvas.com/supersplat/editor/), [Brush](https://github.com/ArthurBrussee/brush), and [Unity](https://github.com/cgnomads/GSOPs/blob/develop/extra/unity/UnityGaussianSplatting/INSTRUCTIONS.md).
 
 ## Synthetic Training Data
 * You can use Houdini renders from procedural and manually generated camera poses (in COLMAP format) to convert your CG scenes to 3D Gaussian Splats. The `generate_training_data` SOP supports PNG image output, which enables the trainining of alpha-masked 3DGS models, which produces cleaner reconstructions.

hip/gsops_installer.hip

@@ -1,26 +1,26 @@
 {
-    "date" : "2025-09-08",
+    "date" : "2026-01-08",
     "popup" : {
-        "title" : "GSOPs 2.8 by CG Nomads",
-        "content" : "Thank you for installing GSOPs, Where Magic Meets Reality.\n\nThis update includes new viewport settings (live compositing with geometry, depth, SH order, max splat count), and Splat Histogram--a fun and intuitive way to perform selective scene edits. We now also support compressed splats in the .splat and .spz formats!\n\nGSOPs is trusted by professional artists and studios worldwide. While we're proud to keep the core experience open source, this is only possible thanks to contributions and commercial licensing. Consider becoming an Early Access member to unlock premium features and support GSOPs' ongoing development in the process.\n\nPlease enjoy!",
+        "title" : "GSOPs 2.9 by CG Nomads",
+        "content" : "Thank you for installing GSOPs, Where Magic Meets Reality.\n\nThis update includes support for Houdini 21 (installer, precompiled binaries, and a node to toggle between Houdini native and GSOPs splat conventions). You can now customize the GSOPs configuration directory (see README for more information). We strongly recommend you run the gsops_installer.hip again.\n\nGSOPs is trusted by professional artists and studios worldwide. While we're proud to keep the core experience open source, this is only possible thanks to contributions and commercial licensing. Consider becoming an Early Access member to unlock premium features and support GSOPs' ongoing development in the process.\n\nPlease enjoy!",
         "buttons" : [
             {
                 "text" : "Visit CG Nomads",
                 "action" : "open_url",
                 "url" : "https://www.cgnomads.com/"
             },
             {
-                "text" : "Support GSOPs and Unlock Early Access Features",
+                "text" : "Donate",
                 "action" : "open_url",
                 "url" : "https://buymeacoffee.com/gsopsproject"
             },
             {
-                "text" : "See Complete Changelog",
+                "text" : "Changelog",
                 "action" : "open_url",
-                "url" : "https://github.com/cgnomads/GSOPs/releases/tag/v2.8"
+                "url" : "https://github.com/cgnomads/GSOPs/releases/tag/v2.9.0"
             },
             {
-                "text" : "Join Discord Sever",
+                "text" : "Join Discord Server",
                 "action" : "open_url",
                 "url" : "https://discord.gg/bwsvvRYNJa"
             },