If you are looking for a new fast particle renderer for Nuke, you should take a look at “Point Render” from Higx: The renderer is based exclusively on BlinkScript and enables the creation of various particle effects. In the past, the developer responsible has repeatedly released (free) BlinkScript-based tools for Nuke –more on this below…
Point Render – Feature Overview
In contrast to other particle renderers for Nuke, the Point Render uses image data instead of geo data, which means that the setups can also be edited with simple 2D nodes.
The Point Render comes with a range of nodes, including generators, modifiers, shaders and utilities that allow you to quickly create and render complex looks. Generators allow you to create points based on predefined shapes (Plane, Sphere, Cylinder, Grid etc) or your own imported geometry. Modifier nodes allow you to influence the generated points – with Fractal Transformations, Fractak Evolution, Force, Transform or Twist, among others. Shader nodes can then be used for the look of the points. The shading is created based on the distance, point lights, normals or motion vectors, for example.
A detailed description of all nodes can be found here.
Requirements & availability
The Point Renderer is available from Nuke 9 (Windows) and Nuke 10 (Linux and Mac OS) for 30 euros on Gumroad. The tool was only created with native Nuke nodes and should therefore work with every Nuke version without the need for updates. Point Render is not GPU based, so it does not require a special graphics card. You can findout more here.
More interesting Nuke tools from Hagbarth
The man behind Higx – Mads Hagbarth Damsbo, VFX Supervisor and Technical Director – has already released several Nuke Tools (BlinkScripts and Gizmos). While some are still in testing phases, you can already find many of them as free downloads on Nukepedia:
- PixelSort – with the well-known Pixel Sort effect for Nuke
- Silk – 2D processing tool to create “laser spaghetti” effects
- Gif Writer – FFmpeg Wrap to export GIF data directly into Nuke
- Gradient Editor – create custom gradients
- FrameMedian – Clean Plates based on temporal medians – e.g. for snow or rain
Further information: To the Higx website and the Mad Hagbarth blog
