Modeler 26.5 for Houdini released with Houdini 22 support

Alexey Vanzhula announced version 26.5 of Modeler, his plugin for Houdini, on 5 October 2026. The update’s highlights are Houdini 22 compatibility and adjustments for changes to how the software displays subdivision geometry. Modeler is a toolset that supports direct modeling workflows in Houdini, offering polygon and subdivision modeling as well as retopology tools.

Adapting to Houdini 22’s SubD changes

According to the update notes, Houdini 22 performs subdivision calculations on the GPU and allows isoparms to be edited in the viewport. Modeler 26.5 reworks the subdivision modeling workflow to work with these changes.

Tools related to the display of subdivision geometry have been grouped in a single radial menu. A dedicated SubD Proxy mode has also been added to make it easier to work on a model’s subdivision cage. The Crease tool has also been reorganized and moved to the new Subdivision Surface radial menu. These changes aim to bring the relevant tools together in one menu, particularly when working with a control cage.

Holes and PolyPen updates

The new Holes tool in Modeler 26.5 creates holes from selected vertices. The update also includes improvements to the PolyPen tool; however, the published article does not list these additional changes individually and refers readers to the changelog for details.

PolyPen is described as a context-sensitive, general-purpose tool for mesh editing and retopology. In the previous version, Modeler 26, the tool gained features such as extending edges by pulling them out from existing geometry and deleting geometry corresponding to a UV island in a single operation. These are not new features in 26.5; they belong to the plugin’s earlier release history.

Compatibility and licensing information

The update note in the source article states that Modeler 26.5 is compatible with Houdini 22. The pricing and system requirements section on the same page, however, lists Houdini 21.0 and later for Modeler 26. Before purchasing or upgrading, users should therefore verify the requirements and licensing details specific to 26.5 in the current changelog and the developer’s store.

The prices listed on the page are $100 for an individual floating license and $500 for a Studio license with unlimited seats. The article does not say whether these amounts have changed specifically for version 26.5. No separate price or new licensing terms for Modeler 26.5 have been announced.

Impact on architecture and visualization workflows

Modeler is aimed at users who create and edit geometry in Houdini. For architecture and interior visualization teams, tools for working with a SubD cage, editing meshes and managing geometry through layers can be used to prepare organic forms or custom model components. The update does not, however, announce direct integration with architectural software or a new export feature.

For artists using Houdini 22, the first thing to check is compatibility; they should test how 26.5 works on their current workstation and review the upgrade terms for their license. Houdini 21 users should consider both the general requirements listed on the page and the statement that 26.5 is compatible with Houdini 22, and confirm the details with the developer. They should also clarify whether the listed license prices apply to the current version before making a decision.