oh yeah. the plugin needs to be copied manually into UE and then it can load the otl files houdini saves.
tried a marketplace asset and it works like a charm. basically all of the parameters chosen to be live in houdini can be edited in unreal.
its ridiculously fantastic.
and houdini engine is not dependent on standalone app but is used as a “player” for the files. if you want advanced editing ofcourse you need the standalone.
once the asset store is well populated, people will be able to use and customize assets like fire and smoke without needing to know deeper levels of houdini. (as i am doing). houdini store is called orbolt but its not exactly poppin over there.
this marriage is something incredible and imo you all should try it out.