How to Install Houdini on Ubuntu 20.04 Easily

August 11, 2025 | By the+gnu+linux+evangelist.

How to Install

2. Extract Houdini Archive

Extract the downloaded Houdini tarball:
```
tar -xvf ~/Downloads/houdini-*.tar.gz
```
(In case first see: Terminal QuickStart Guide.)
But if you are in Trouble to Find it out on Terminal then See: How to Access Downloads Folder from Browser.
3. Change Directory

Move into the extracted Houdini directory:
```
cd houdini-*
```
4. Run the Houdini Installer

Run the installation script with root privileges:
```
sudo ./houdini.install
```
Follow the CLI Wizard and possibly choose the available Options:
5. GPU Drivers — Check, Install & Troubleshoot

Verify GPU drivers and OpenCL/CUDA support so Houdini can use hardware acceleration. Run these checks and follow the TutorialforLinux guides for installation or updates.

Identify GPU and current driver
```
lspci -nnk | grep -i vga -A3
```
```
sudo lshw -c display
```
NVIDIA — quick checks
```
nvidia-smi
```
```
lsmod | grep nvidia
```
Install/upgrade NVIDIA drivers using the TutorialforLinux guide:

TutorialforLinux — Install NVIDIA drivers

AMD — check & OpenCL
```
lspci -nnk | grep -i amd -A3
```
```
which clinfo || sudo apt install -y clinfo
```
```
clinfo
```
Follow this TutorialforLinux guide for AMD driver and OpenCL setup:

TutorialforLinux — Install AMD drivers

Intel integrated GPUs — check & OpenCL
```
lspci -nnk | grep -i intel -A3
```
```
which clinfo || sudo apt install -y clinfo
```
```
clinfo
```
Intel driver and graphics instructions:

TutorialforLinux — Install Intel graphics driver

Secure Boot
```
which mokutil || sudo apt install -y mokutil
```
```
mokutil --sb-state
```
If Secure Boot is enabled and proprietary modules fail to load, either disable Secure Boot in your firmware or follow module-signing instructions from the vendor/TutorialforLinux guide.

Quick diagnostics & restart
```
dmesg | grep -i -E "nvidia|amdgpu|radeon|gpu|opencl|cuda"
```
```
sudo journalctl -b | grep -i -E "nvidia|amdgpu|radeon|opencl|cuda"
```
```
sudo reboot
```
5. Setup Houdini Environment

Before launching Houdini, set the environment variables for your current session:
```
cd /opt/hfs20*
```
Possibly fix the above this your Houdini version.
```
source ./houdini_setup
```
To make this permanent, append the command to your shell config (~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc):
```
echo "source /opt/hfs20*/houdini_setup" >> ~/.bashrc
```
6. Launch Houdini

After installation, start Houdini by running:
```
houdini
```
How to Create App Launcher on Main Menu

Make desktop Launcher for Menu Guide

Create Linux desktop Launcher.
7. Setting Up Houdini License

After installing Houdini, launch it and choose License type.

Follow the on-screen prompts to use an Apprentice free or Paid license.

The Apprentice license allows you to use Houdini with full features for learning and non-commercial projects.

Finally you’ll be able to Install and Enjoy Houdini! :)
8. Houdini Getting Started Guide

Getting Started with Houdini on GNU/Linux

Houdini Quick Start Guide

Getting Started with Houdini on Linux Tutorial.