Boris FX has released Silhouette 2025, the latest version of its VFX, paint, and rotoscoping toolset. While still focused on high-end compositing and roto workflows, this release leans heavily into AI-based fixes and expanded 3D handling. Spoiler: yes, you can now import FBX and Alembic files.
3D Scene: Now in Three Dimensions
The new 3D Scene node lets artists import Alembic or FBX files, allowing cards to be placed in 3D space. Once imported, 3D tracks can be solved into a plane and cards positioned accordingly. Use these cards in the Transform node for insert shots, match moves, and stabilization. You can unproject images, paint or composite on them, and then reproject the results – paint strokes transform along with their associated cards, which you can also converted into roto layers. The viewer supports unprojection and stabilization directly using cards, and for when 2D is still enough: 3D trackers can be converted into traditional 2D point trackers.
PowerMesh Morph: Paint Organics Without Pain
Built around Mocha Pro’s PowerMesh tracking, PowerMesh Morph allows frame-to-frame morphing across warped or organically deforming surfaces. Artists can paint directly on undistorted footage and create morphs between painted keyframes. The Data output from Mocha Pro plugs directly into the PowerMesh Morph Data input, using sub-planar tracking data to drive the morph.
Matte Refine ML: Goodbye Hairy Edges
Matte Refine ML does what previously took hours of tedious work: it converts hard mattes into natural, soft-edged transitions with semi-transparency. Details like hair, fur, feathers, or any fine texture are preserved with minimal effort. As a bonus, it pairs well with Matte Assist ML to generate the initial hard matte before refinement.
Depth Map ML: One-Click Depth Control
Depth Map ML uses AI to instantly generate grayscale depth maps from a scene. The model offers two different AI types and built-in matte controls to refine the results. Once generated, the depth data can be used with other elements in the Depth node, or to drive blur and color corrections, or even to create mattes by isolating particular depth zones.
Compound Nodes: Group Hug for Your Graph
Compound Nodes combine multiple nodes into a single supernode with parameter grouping for easier management. Users can add, remove, or rename nodes and ports, hide unnecessary parameters, and publish the node group. The compound is stored externally and can be shared or reused across projects or systems. Your future self will thank you.
Updated Nodes: Sapphire, Mocha Pro & Particle Illusion
Silhouette 2025 integrates the 2025 editions of Boris FX’s sibling tools:
- Sapphire includes a new VHS Damage effect, cinematic lens flares, and curated presets.
- Mocha Pro adds two new AI-based masking/tracking tools, improves 3D camera solving, and makes data export less of a ritual.
- Particle Illusion supports repeatable 3D particle animations and now allows copying/pasting gradients and sprites, because repetitive clicks don’t make effects better.
Price and Availability
Pricing for Silhouette 2025 is available on the official Boris FX site.
Rentals start at 40€ per Month for AE/Resolve/Premiere/Nuke, whereas the Standalone version is at 65€
And as one of the few ones, there is still a perpetual standalone available! For just €1940, you can own a perpetual Licence! And you don’t have to give it back someday!
One Last Thing
Silhouette 2025 is clearly expanding its toolkit into 3D-aware workflows and AI-supported fixes. But as always: exciting features are one thing, actual stability and usability in pipeline conditions are another. Test thoroughly before rolling anything out in production. And maybe don’t trust the machine learning with grandma’s wedding footage.
