POP

I just wanted to animate a chewing gum, but I'm always trapped in the obligation of creating a story instead. So, I built this animation around the idea of how fast life goes. Each shot represent Birth, life, and Death. Having a story makes easier to know where to go with the animation, where to finish it.

Nov 2025 | #houdini #redshift #personalProject #pop

This started a while ago when I ran into this image on Pinterest. I saved it because I saw potential in this, and I knew eventually I would do something about it. Maybe a year later, I decided it was time. I'm always revisiting these refs, trying to connect them with an idea.

(I couldn't find the source to credit them.)

Does it fly?

I always need to start with a simple test. In this case, it's just a box with a bunch of layered textures. But I need to see it done by myself to decide whether worth keep moving forward or save it for later. 

← Actual first thing I did for this project.

Multi Simulation

In order to speed the process up and to have more control, I prefer to make every piece of simulation on its own, and then use it to interact with the next simulation instead of putting all together and waiting for the best. This way, I can move forward and avoid ruining one simulation by trying to fix another one.

Packaging: I'm using the cloth setting, but it needs to behave more rigind and with none stretchiness.

Packaging: I'm using the cloth setting, but it needs to behave more rigind and with none stretchiness.

Packaging: I'm using the cloth setting, but it needs to behave more rigind and with none stretchiness.

Packaging: I'm using the cloth setting, but it needs to behave more rigind and with none stretchiness.

Packaging: I'm using the cloth setting, but it needs to behave more rigind and with none stretchiness.

Packaging: I'm using the cloth setting, but it needs to behave more rigind and with none stretchiness.

The gum-splitting was a real headache. Having those polygons pull inward gave away the division before it actually happened. I tried so many settings to solve the Normal issues and the geo-overlapping problem. I think it ended up being a good trick.

I always start with a simple test. This is just a box with bunch of texture layered to recreate the gum. this is when I decide if it worth keep going or leave the idea for later. 

When I work for studios, there is always someone providing this kind of design for packaging or UI. Now I had to pretend I'm a designer. That's why I only took care of what the camera sees and put whatever on the back side.