After years in Cinema 4D, I hit a ceiling and decided to dive headfirst into Houdini. So I took a month off and reverse-engineered Buck’s “Truly” spot as my crash course. With their creative and art direction as a guide, I zeroed in on the how—fluid sims, particle rigs, procedural textures, and lighting passes. It was one of the steepest technical climbs I’ve tackled, but it paid off fast. Not only did I end up with a piece I’m proud of, but I came out the other side with Houdini as my go-to tool. This was the project that rewired how I think—and work.