Theory Accelerated has released a sneak peek at Axiom 4.0, the next version of its GPU-accelerated sparse volumetric fluid solver for Houdini.

The update, which promises an overall performance boost of 5-15%, focuses on improving the accuracy of complex simulations, streamlining the user workflow, and further solidifying Axiom’s role as a faster, GPU-centric alternative to Houdini’s native fluid solvers.

A Faster Approach to Smoke and Fire Simulation

First released in 2020, Axiom is a GPU-accelerated sparse volumetric fluid solver designed to outperform Houdini’s built-in Sparse Pyro solver. Like its native counterpart, Axiom is built for fast simulation of smoke and fire for VFX, animation, and game development.

However, Axiom is engineered to run almost entirely on the GPU, drastically improving performance. This design allows artists to work interactively on low-resolution previews and then generate the final high-resolution version in minutes, rather than hours.

The software is hardware-agnostic, supporting OpenCL and CUDA on Windows and Linux, and Metal on macOS. Axiom has already been adopted by major players, including Riot Games, Valve, and Muse VFX.

Axiom 4.0: Better Collisions and Streamlined Workflow

Axiom 4.0 introduces several key changes that improve both the final simulation quality and the artist experience.

Enhanced Collision Accuracy

One of the most significant updates is the improvement in collision accuracy between the fluid (smoke or fire) and surrounding objects. This update better preserves the fluid’s volume and energy during complex interactions. 

A comparison video above showed a marked reduction in volume loss when smoke flowed through a pipe, demonstrating its utility for effects like wind tunnels.

Streamlined Workflow and UI

The workflow has been significantly refined:

• Sourcing Redesign: The entire sourcing process has been “completely redesigned” to streamline the workflow and give users more control over their simulations.

Source: Theory Accelerated

• UI Improvements: The user interface has been reorganized, most notably the Output tab, which now provides more granular control over simulation output.

Overall Performance Boost

In addition to specific workflow improvements, the solver is now “5-15% faster overall.” 

For performance on the CPU (if the solver falls back or is run there), Axiom 4.0 now uses Intel’s Threading Building Blocks by default, further enhancing multi-threading performance.

Licensing and System Requirements

Axiom 4.0 is compatible with Houdini 20.0+ running on Windows, Linux, or macOS.

• Commercial Licenses: A commercial node-locked license costs $199.
• Indie Edition: The Indie edition, which works only with Houdini Indie, costs $99.
• Trial Mode: The software can also be used for free in trial mode with Houdini Apprentice.

Want to render faster? Choose 3S Cloud Render Farm.

While Axiom 4.0 accelerates the simulation process on your local machine, generating the final high-resolution output requires significant rendering power. For complex volumetric renders in Houdini, the processing demands can quickly outstrip a single workstation.

3S Cloud Render Farm provides the on-demand resources necessary to handle your final render. Our platform is fully compatible with complex Houdini pipelines, supporting a wide range of industry-standard render engines:

• Native & Built-in: Mantra, Karma
• Third-Party GPU: Redshift (versions 3.0, 3.5, 3.6, 2025), Arnold, V-Ray (versions 5, 7)

Beyond Power: Why Artists Trust 3S Cloud

• No Storage Fees: Unlike many other services, we do not charge storage fees, allowing you to upload even the largest Houdini projects without worrying about extra costs.
• Cost Efficiency: Access immense GPU power, including multiple high-end cards, on demand for a fraction of the cost of buying and maintaining the hardware yourself.
• Seamless Workflow: Our platform operates as a SaaS (Software as a Service) render farm, offering a simplified interface where you just submit your job and monitor progress easily.

Ready to see how fast your Houdini projects can render? 

Sign up for a $5 Free Trial and experience the difference today.