In nuce: Foundry releases Nuke 13.2 According to Foundry, the most exciting new features include NewTek Network Device Interface (NDI) and OpenTimelineIO (OTIO). There are also improvements in terms of pivot point workflows and CopyCat performance. Incidentally, Nuke 13.2 marks the final release in the Nuke 13 product series. All three Nuke versions are affected by the new features – Nuke, NukeX and Nuke Studio.
Faster rendering: According to internal tests carried out by Foundry, script rendering should now be an average of 20 per cent faster than before. In some places, script rendering should even be 150 per cent faster at peak times compared to Nuke’s previous version.
Pivot point workflows: As mentioned above, Nuke version 13.2 offers the so-called pivot point workflow. How does this work in practice? Quite simply: Users set the pivot point of a 3D object to a selected vertex. This should make it easier to position pivot points with pinpoint accuracy. The pivot points can be controlled both in the properties panel and directly in the viewer. According to the press release, this innovation also means that Nuke’s 3D system will be more closely aligned with other existing DCC tools. It is also intended to strengthen the uniformity between Nuke and Katana, particularly in terms of geometry transformations.
Nuke 13.2 | Adjust Geometry Faster with Improved 3D UX
Reposition Geometry Easily with 3D Pivot Points | Nuke 13.2 3D Workflow Tutorial
Machine learning: Utilises the NukeX ML Research toolset, which, according to the press release, should result in a significant increase in speed. This extra power, provided by improvements to the CopyCat single GPU, ensures an increase in speed of up to 30 per cent – and CopyCat can now also use multiple GPUs simultaneously. Users can now train more than four channels simultaneously. Tip: It makes sense to use machine learning to automate repetitive tasks – such as rotoscoping or removing markers.
Nuke 13.2 | Faster Machine Learning with Multiple GPUs
NewTek Network Device Interface (NDI): Is therefore also supported by Nuke. What’s the benefit? Well, thanks to NDI, users can stream from their Nuke or Nuke Studio viewer to other users within a local network. As each viewer in Nuke 13.2 has its own independent monitor-out functionality, multiple monitor-out setups can also be implemented. Vulgo: Multiple NDI streams can now be used simultaneously.
Nuke 13.2 | NDI Streaming & Multiple Monitor Out
Streaming for Reviews & Multiple Outputs with NDI | Nuke & Nuke Studio 13.2 Tutorial
Stencil layer picking interface: The stencil layer picking interface has also been updated. For example, users are now allowed to display selected layers as a preview – or you can add or remove selected elements via a layer list. No less convenient: the rearranged grouping of parameters using new tabs should allow users to access the desired content more quickly.
Unreal Engine: And last but not least: As part of the release of Nuke 13.2, the Unreal Reader feature will also be made available to Nuke Indie and non-commercial users of Nuke, which should please many VFXers. Version 13.2 also integrates Unreal Engine 5. By the way: Thanks to many workflow improvements, data can now be transferred faster from Unreal Engine to Nuke.
Nuke 13.2 | UnrealReader Workflow Enhancements
Faster Selection of Stencil Layers | Nuke 13.2 and UnrealReader Tutorial
Nuke 13.2 | Node Graph Rendering Performance Boost
OpenTimelineIO (OTIO): Nuke Studio and Hiero now both support OTIO – although the feature is currently still in the beta phase, it should already support the import and export of clips, tracks, linear transitions and linear retimes. For those who didn’t know, OTIO is Pixar’s new, open standard for editing data.
Nuke 13.2 | Import and Export Timeline Data with OTIO
Nuke 13.2 | Faster Project Loading & Non-linear Dissolve Support
Click further: You can find out all about Nuke 13.2 and the associated new features at foundry.com. Below we have linked a video that gives you an all-round view of the new features.
Nuke 13.2 | Features Overview
