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Super3D Import & Export .Hiplc

by shouwang·Workflow

Images © shouwang. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Super3D Import & Export .Hiplc earns its place in the superhive library as a focused single-format bridge — it does one job, moving .hiplc scenes between Houdini Indie and Blender, rather than bundling formats you may not need.

What is Super3D Import & Export .Hiplc?

Super3D Import & Export .Hiplc is a Blender add-on for working with .hiplc files, the scene format produced by Houdini Indie. It adds dedicated File menu entries for importing and exporting this format, and runs conversion through the Super3D cloud service, so Blender stays lightweight and no SideFX Houdini Indie installation is required — only Blender and an internet connection.

On import, you pick a .hiplc file from File → Import, the add-on uploads it to the Super3D service, and the converted result is downloaded and merged into your active scene. Cooked geometry from display SOPs and camera or light transforms are preserved where present, while procedural networks flatten to baked geometry. On export, the scene is written to OBJ on the main thread, converted to .hiplc, and saved to disk as geometry-only output with no procedural rebuild.

Packaged as a focused add-on with GPL licensing, it is tested on Blender 4.2 through 5.1 and installs alongside other Super3D format add-ons without conflicts.

Who is Super3D Import & Export .Hiplc best for?

Super3D Import & Export .Hiplc is best for indie FX artists opening their own .hiplc work in Blender, freelance studios receiving .hiplc deliveries from a Houdini Indie collaborator, and students carrying a portfolio between Houdini Indie and Blender.

How much does Super3D Import & Export .Hiplc cost?

Super3D Import & Export .Hiplc is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Dedicated Blender File menu entries for importing and exporting the .hiplc format
  • Cloud-backed conversion through the Super3D service, keeping Blender lightweight
  • Import uploads the .hiplc file and merges the downloaded result into the active scene
  • Preserves cooked geometry from display SOPs and camera or light transforms where present, though procedural networks flatten to baked geometry
  • Export writes the scene to OBJ, converts it to .hiplc, and saves it to disk as geometry-only output
  • GPL-licensed add-on tested on Blender 4.2–5.1 that installs alongside other Super3D format add-ons without conflicts

Tags

#Blender#Houdini Indie#hiplc#import-export#format conversion#round-trip#cloud conversion#Super3D

Frequently asked questions

Do I need SideFX Houdini Indie installed to use Super3D Import & Export .Hiplc?

Super3D Import & Export .Hiplc does not require SideFX Houdini Indie to be installed. Conversion runs in the cloud through the Super3D service, so you only need Blender and an internet connection. When you import, the add-on uploads the .hiplc file to the Super3D service, and the converted result is downloaded and merged into your active scene. On export, your scene is written to OBJ on the main thread, then converted to .hiplc through the same service and saved to disk.

Which Blender versions does Super3D Import & Export .Hiplc support?

Super3D Import & Export .Hiplc is tested on Blender 4.2 through 5.1, while the legacy bl_info entry covers Blender 4.0 and later. It ships as a focused add-on with GPL licensing. Within the tested range, the import and export menu entries appear under Blender's File menu. For versions outside that range, behaviour is not confirmed here, so check the developer's page before relying on it in production work.

Can I install Super3D Import & Export .Hiplc alongside other Super3D format add-ons?

Super3D Import & Export .Hiplc installs alongside other Super3D format add-ons without conflicts. Each format ships as a separate extension with its own ID and operator names, so multiple Super3D bridges can coexist in the same Blender installation. This add-on covers the Houdini HIPLC (Indie) format specifically. Functionally the conversion matches the regular HIP add-on; this version exists so Indie users can match their license tier when working with .hiplc files.

Will Houdini FX or Houdini Core open the .hiplc output from Super3D Import & Export .Hiplc?

Super3D Import & Export .Hiplc produces geometry that Houdini FX or Houdini Core can read. The .hiplc license tag affects opening the file in Houdini, not the geometry inside it, so the geometry itself is portable. Keep in mind the export is geometry-only, with no procedural rebuild, and the procedural setup stays in the original Houdini Indie file. On import, procedural networks likewise flatten to baked geometry.

Is Super3D Import & Export .Hiplc free to download?

Super3D Import & Export .Hiplc is listed as free in this catalog. Licensing can change over time, so check the developer's page for the current terms before you download. The add-on carries GPL licensing and is packaged as a focused single-format extension for the Houdini HIPLC (Indie) format. According to the vendor, a portion of orders is donated to the Blender Foundation to support its continued open-source development and the community around it.

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