Archive republication: This article was originally published on 8 December 2020. It has been translated into English and lightly updated for clarity while preserving the original reporting and context.
After several years of comparatively modest releases, Maya 2020.4 delivered a substantial Bifrost update.
Maya curve support allowed curves to be dragged directly into Bifrost graphs, where they were converted into Bifrost strands for building curve-based assets and tools. Artists could generate procedural roads, buildings and other assets along Maya curves. Bifrost graphs could appear as either DG or DAG objects in the Outliner, with DAG becoming the default.
A new field system introduced user-defined 3D scalar and vector fields with effectively unlimited resolution and, according to Autodesk, minimal overhead. These fields could drive particles, cloth and gas simulations without requiring artists to edit an FX compound.
Scatter Pack
Higher-level scattering and instancing compounds were added, including blue-noise scattering integrated with the field system. Artists could also press Escape to interrupt a slow-running simulation.
Arnold 6.1
Arnold 6.1 added post-processing nodes called Imagers. These let users adjust exposure, colour correction, white balance, tone mapping and vignetting inside the renderer.
Nested dielectrics introduced a priority system for overlapping transparent objects, designed to produce more physically accurate reflections and refractions.
Plugins
The Motion Library plug-in gained improved character previews with orbit and zoom controls. Substance Engine 8.0.3 was integrated with Standard Surface support to improve interoperability between Maya and Substance tools.
Autodesk’s Bifrost team also scheduled an AMA on the VFX subreddit for 9 December 2020, followed by a livestream event.
