The Camera Array Tool for Blender, developed by ToppiNappi (Olli Huttunen), generates camera rigs directly from 3D geometry. The add-on places virtual cameras at the centre of each polygon on a selected mesh and orients them according to the surface normal.

Users can decide whether the cameras face inward, outward, or in both directions. The tool allows the creation of custom rigs as well as prebuilt configurations, including grids, spheres, and cylinders. Once generated, the camera positions remain linked to the surface, meaning scaling or editing the underlying mesh automatically updates the rig.

Built for image-based reconstruction

Each camera in an array can render still images or animation sequences, stored in user-defined folders. The output data includes COLMAP text files—cameras.txt, images.txt, and points3D.txt—enabling direct use in 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) or neural rendering workflows without the usual Structure-from-Motion reconstruction step. Point cloud exports can include colour data, accelerating later training phases in external applications. A density slider helps control file size when generating point clouds.

4DGS and animated datasets

Version 3.2.0 introduces 4DGS (Four-Dimensional Gaussian Splatting) data export for animated scenes. The add-on can render each frame from all cameras while generating corresponding COLMAP data per frame. This update fixes a previous COLMAP issue: files are now written immediately after each frame, preventing data loss if rendering is interrupted. A new “Animated Camera” feature enables rendering the same array setup through a single moving camera—an alternative method for producing dataset sequences.

Compatibility and workflow integration

Image series from the Camera Array Tool can be trained into Gaussian Splatting models using external software such as Postshot, NeRF Studio, Brush, or ToppiNappi’s free Postshot Batch Trainer. According to the developer, the add-on is particularly useful for synthetic dataset creation, virtual production, or academic experiments with neural rendering and multi-view reconstruction.

Simplicity over spectacle

Despite its experimental applications, the add-on’s concept remains simple: turn a mesh into a camera grid and render from every face. This direct approach makes it accessible for both research and practical visualisation tasks. The tool costs €36 and is available through Gumroad. The “Virtual Camera Bundle” combines the Camera Array Tool with the 360 Extractor add-on at a discounted rate.

As with all Blender extensions, users are advised to test the plug-in within their own pipeline before committing to production use.

The post Camera Arrays for the Gaussian Age first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

In nuce: Icosa Gallery has released the latest version of the open-source VR sketching app Open Brush, making Open Brush 2.0 available. With the release of Open Brush 2.0, the app is also celebrating its two-year anniversary. The software is based on Tilt Brush, which was previously developed by Google. Digital Production last reported on Tilt Brush on 9 November 2017. Open Brush has been open source since 2021 and will no longer be pursued as a commercial project.

Open Brush v2.0

In toto: Below are some of the key features of Open Brush 2.0 – in addition to the fact that the app has been upgraded to the latest version of the Unity game engine.

• Support for a Layers System: Up to eight layers can be selected. This should improve clarity when working with large sketches.
• Pressure sensitivity for brushes: Some brushes now have pressure sensitivity – depending on how hard the user grips their input device, strokes appear more or less forceful.
• Up to 10 times the bit rate: Sketching is said to have become noticeably more performant – with a leap in performance from 5 frames per second to 50.
• Support for OpenXR extensions: Virtual reality and mixed reality applications are hereby supported – and Open Brush usable for a wider range of hardware offerings. This includes an extension that allows users of Meta Quest headsets to draw within a mixed reality environment.
• Two new tools: The Snip and Join tools have been added to the toolbox. With these tools, existing brushstrokes can either be halved using the control point or two existing brushstrokes can be joined together.

Clicked further: To the announcement of the release of Open Brush 2.0 or to the corresponding GitHub. Users can find out where Open Brush is available from via docs.openbrush.app . Digital Production reported on the previous version Open Brush 1.0 on 2 March 2022 – and on the new functions Lazy Input and other feature delights.

Source: cgchannel.com ( report by Jim Thacker)

The post Drawing with VR glasses – and in 3D space? first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Patrick Poti.

In nuce: Developer Anastasiy Safari has released version 6.0 of his plugin for brush organisation in Photoshop – MagicSquire. the organising and filing system for Photoshop brushes was first released in 2016. New flagship features include: a transparent head-up display, the use of preview .abr files (before loading), custom brush thumbnails – and a selection option that allows users to randomise brush properties after each brush stroke. MagicSquire 6.0 is available for Windows and Mac operating systems. Cost: 19 US dollars.

Click further: Interested parties can discover all the other fresh functions of the new version via the MagicSquire version history – or on the product page, where all the new functions are explained. The video below provides a quick run-through of the feature delights of MagicSquire 6.0. Digital Production reported on the release of MagicSquire 5.0 on 22 October 2021 and MagicSquire 4.0 on 24 July 2022 . The Cthulhu-like illustration from the lead image above is by concept artist Reid Southen, who has worked on major productions such as Matrix Resurrections, Jupiter Ascending and Independence Day: Resurgence.

MagicSquire 6 – transparent Brush HUD, panel for Adobe Photoshop

The post Where to with all the Photoshop brushes? first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Patrick Poti.

In nuce: Every week we present you with the best tutorials that will help you polish your workflows with the hottest digital content creation tools in the world!

Airbrush Tool: This time we’re bringing you a tutorial from Christoph Werner of 3DCoat, who shows you how to expertly use the Airbrush Tool in 3DCoat. The video is only three and a half minutes long, so it fits perfectly into your lunch break.

What can the tutorial do? In the tutorial, Christoph explains that although the Airbrush Tool is very similar to the Brush Tool, the two brush tools differ from each other in a number of key ways. In order to clearly emphasise the differences between the two tools, Christoph uses the same settings for both brushes – you can then see from the work results how the airbrush and brush diverge in their creative effect. But click on the video below to see for yourself. Christoph demonstrates the tools using a (pre-)neolithic-looking axe.

What is 3DCoat? It is an application for digital sculpting, UVs, PBR texturing, painting, rendering and low-poly modelling.

Click further: For more high-quality content about 3DCoat, click on the associated online presences – on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube. We last reported on the release of version 2021.53 of 3DCoat on 05.10.2021 . On 03/06/2021 we told you about a tutorial series (with Rhinoceros) on 3DCoat that is worth following. If you like big five pachyderms, you should book this desktop safari.

Airbrush tool

The post Airbrush Tool | Tutorial Tuesday first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Patrick Poti.

• Developer Mels Mneyan releases his varied brush collection.
• Included are over 2,800 setups. Everything from the glorious superhero pose, to the dynamic endurance sprinter, to the introverted thinker.
• Two versions are available: Standard Licence for 12 US dollars and Extended Commercial Licence for 15 US dollars.

In nuce: Developer Mels Mneyan publishes a brush collection worth clicking on.

What can “Character Cheatbrushes” do? There are over 2,800 setups in the collection, which should help you to quickly paint attractive character models. The collection offers a wide variety of body poses, from the glorious superhero pose to the dynamic endurance sprinter and the introverted thinker. A distinction is made between male and female body types. File formats such as PNG or ABR are supported with the collection.

Cost: “Character Cheatbrush” is available in two versions.

The Standard Licence for 12 US dollars, which includes use for personal purposes and one commercial project, provided the commercial project does not exceed 2,000 sales or 20,000 views. A further restriction of the standard licence is that – according to Mel Mneyan – it should only be used by a single user.

The Extended Commercial Licence for 15 US dollars is also available, which you can use for an unlimited number of commercial projects, regardless of how many sales or clicks you achieve.

Click further: You can get the brush collection on Gumroad. The video below scrubs the spaces between the brushes for you.

2800 Character KITBUS CHEATBRUSE BUNDLE

The post Brush collection | Release first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Patrick Poti.