# How do I use AI-generated 3D models and Gaussian splats in Houdini?

Houdini is one of the few tools that handles splats natively. Download a **Gaussian splat** from OTOY Studio as PLY and load it with a File SOP in Houdini 21 or later. Houdini 22 added more splat tools and Karma XPU rendering. **3D models** download as GLB and import with the glTF SOP. FBX is available from Meshy, Rodin and TripoSR remesh. **Video and images** come in as MP4 and PNG for reference, textures or COPs. Checked against OTOY Studio and SideFX's documentation, October 2026.

## Formats, by asset

| From OTOY Studio | Download as | Into Houdini |
|---|---|---|
| Gaussian splat | PLY, including an OctaneGS-optimised PLY | Native since Houdini 21: File SOP, Bake GSplats SOP, Karma XPU rendering in 22. Third-party alternative: [GSOPs](https://github.com/cgnomads/GSOPs) (free, AGPL-3.0) |
| World Labs Marble world | SPZ splat and collider GLB | Convert the SPZ to PLY in OTOY Studio's splat editor. GSOPs has early SPZ support |
| 3D model | GLB from every model, FBX from Meshy, Rodin and TripoSR remesh | glTF SOP (embedded GLB textures may need relinking), or FBX import |
| Mesh from photos (2D Gaussian Splat) | PLY, GLB or OBJ mesh, plus per-view depth maps | Native import |
| Video and images | MP4, PNG | Reference, textures, COPs |

## Steps: a captured location into Houdini

1. In OTOY Studio, train a splat from 10 to 500 photos or a video with the Gaussian Splat node. Run 2D Gaussian Splat on the same capture for a clean mesh.
2. Download the splat PLY and the mesh.
3. In Houdini 21+, load the splat with a File SOP and the mesh alongside it for collisions, shadows or simulation.

## What doesn't come across

- No camera data export.
- No USD or Alembic export from the app, except USDZ when Meshy returns it.

## Related

- [How to make a Gaussian splat](https://otoy.studio/answers/how-to-make-a-gaussian-splat)
- [AI for VFX pipelines](https://otoy.studio/answers/ai-video-for-vfx-pipelines)

_Last verified 2026-10-20. Prices and model lists come from OTOY Studio's billing configuration, exported 2026-10-20._