For those who do not know the tool, RealityScan is Epic’s photogrammetry application for reconstructing 3D assets, scenes, and datasets from photographs and scans. It is used in areas such as VFX, game development, visualization, heritage capture, and geospatial workflows. RealityScan 2.1, the previous major release, added broader automation options, support for SLAM data, and other workflow extensions, so 2.1.1 reads very much like the expected follow-up pass: less about headline features, more about making interchange and export behave properly when real projects get involved.

RealityScan 2.1.1 is now available, and while this is not the kind of release that arrives with fireworks and a new category of buzzword, it does address several parts of the workflow that tend to matter once scans actually have to leave the application and survive contact with the rest of production.

The most relevant improvements are in the COLMAP pipeline. RealityScan 2.1.1 now exports either to a flat folder structure or to the standard COLMAP directory layout, supports both binary and ASCII export, improves mask export behavior, and filters low-accuracy points automatically during export. On import, Epic has added support for the FULL_OPENCV camera model, which should make it easier to bring in a wider range of calibration data without extra cleanup elsewhere in the chain.

Mask handling is one of the more useful practical changes here. The exporter now supports AI-generated masks, and users can choose whether to keep the .mask.ext suffix when exporting into the standard COLMAP directory structure. Epic also lists fixes for cases where selected mask layers failed to export, along with corrections for quality degradation when exporting COLMAP data based on original distorted images. That is the sort of update that sounds small in a changelog and rather less small when it breaks a handoff.

Another addition is the new “RealityScan XMPs with Image List” export in the Registration exports. This makes it possible to export XMPs corresponding either to the original distorted images or to undistorted images, and to choose between the “local:1 Euclidean” and “Grid plane” coordinate systems. At the same time, Epic has removed the separate Image list export from the Alignment tab, because the same function already existed in Registration export. Exported image lists now use the .imagelist extension, which can be reused when importing inputs or input selections back into RealityScan.

There are also smaller but welcome naming and consistency changes. Texture layer names now respect the specified name, including when selecting layers for texturing. Epic also removed some extra information from those names, including 16-bit and HDR prefixes, and adjusted numbering. On the command line side, importColmap becomes loadColmap, importBundler becomes loadBundler, and importFlightLog becomes importTrajectory. Not glamorous, but coherent. That alone can save someone a mildly irritating half-hour that could be spent watching cat videos.

The fixed-issues section is long, and in this case that is probably good news. Epic lists corrections for an incorrect “model is already colorized” warning on certain LiDAR models, ignored intrinsic parameters during flight log imports, EXR import issues, misplaced imported masks, raster artifacts in depth and mask exports, black mask exports in some cases, crashes related to LOD export settings and long computations, scene transformations being incorrectly retained after COLMAP and Bundler imports, and support for importing PLY files generated by the CGAL library. There are also multiple fixes for export behavior in cameras, orthographic projections, LAS classifications, contour export, and Nira upload handling.

Epic Games documentation for RealityScan 2.1.1

RealityScan 2.1.1 adds better COLMAP support and new XMP export options

RealityScan 2.1.1 is a maintenance release, but a practical one. Epic updates COLMAP exchange, adds new XMP with image list export options, cleans up mask export, and fixes a long list of editor, alignment, and CLI issues.

06.04.2026

Epic Games updates RealityScan: 2.1 out

pic’s RealityScan 2.1 brings LiDAR & SLAM import, server automation tools and improved UV and rendering support.

27.11.2025

RealityScan Mobile 1.8 with Tools for On-the-Go Scanning

Version 1.8 of RealityScan Mobile introduces three capture modes (including AR Guidance), mesh clean-up tools, focus peaking, capture timer and watertight mesh output: ideal for everybody capturing on-the-go.

21.11.2025

RealityScan 2.0: Epic Gives RealityCapture a New Name and New Tricks

Epic overhauls RealityCapture into RealityScan 2.0, complete with AI masking, LiDAR fusion, and a mobile-first workflow focus.

17.06.2025

RealityScan 1.5.3 Update Eases 3D Scans with Better Processing for iOS

Epic’s RealityScan update brings flexible processing, smoother workflows, and better support for iPad Pro and image uploads.

07.11.2024

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The post RealityScan 2.1.1 adds better COLMAP support and new XMP export options first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

Quixel / Epic has officially discontinued Quixel Mixer and published a final version as an offline application. Quixel describes this release as the last one and states that there will be no further updates. The same announcement also makes clear that the software is provided without official support, which is the polite corporate way of saying: archive it now, because nobody is coming back with a hotfix later.

What was Quixel Mixer?

For anyone who has not used it: Quixel Mixer is a standalone material and texture authoring tool for building PBR texture sets via layers, masks, and blends, typically used for game assets, VFX props, and environment work. In a pipeline it sits in the “author texture maps for a mesh” slot, exporting standard texture maps that can be consumed by DCC tools and renderers. The discontinuation does not change what the tool is good at, it changes the expectations around maintenance and long-term compatibility.

How to get it?

Quixel states the final offline build is available via Quixel account login, and secondary coverage notes an installer option to download free Mixer asset packs, described as including 800+ assets. Older Mixer versions remain downloadable, but with no guarantee they will keep working. For production, this boils down to a familiar rule: if Mixer is still part of your workflow, lock the installer, lock the asset packs, and treat the whole thing like legacy software that must be reproducible rather than “kept current”.

The post Quixel Mixer dead, final offline version released first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

The new CardCutter add-on for Blender converts texture masks into usable 3D geometry for Nanite-based projects in Unreal Engine 5. Created by developer Philipp Russo, the tool simplifies building game-ready foliage and decals by generating optimised meshes directly from source textures.

CardCutter operates as a geometry generation tool that converts 2D texture data, either alpha-masked colour images or greyscale masks, into fully triangulated 3D meshes suitable for Nanite rendering. The add-on functions within Blender’s Python API and supports Blender 4.0 or higher. According to the developer, the geometry output is designed to conform to Nanite’s mesh constraints, favouring dense, evenly distributed triangles over traditional quad-based topologies.

Each processed mask is interpreted as a binary image, with the alpha threshold defining the polygon contour. The tool applies an internal vectorisation step to trace the boundary of the visible region, followed by a polygon simplification algorithm to remove redundant vertices. It then uses a relaxation solver to re-distribute triangle density uniformly across the surface, creating stable topology for Nanite’s internal micro-polygon clustering.

Automatic atlas splitting

When the user provides a texture atlas (for example, a leaf sheet), CardCutter automatically detects discrete masked regions using connected-component labelling. Each detected region becomes a separate mesh object in Blender’s scene graph. This removes the need for manual cutting or polygon mask painting, which is typically required in foliage production. Each region retains its local UV coordinates, preserving the original texture mapping from the atlas. The output meshes can be exported directly as FBX or glTF, maintaining UV alignment and pivot orientation suitable for Unreal Engine import.

Geometry presets for performance tiers

CardCutter offers several density presets: Low, Medium, and High, which define the target number of triangles per pixel area. The lower settings generate lightweight meshes for background vegetation, while the higher settings produce Nanite-ready geometry that benefits from Unreal’s automatic cluster streaming.

The generated meshes are particularly intended for organic and irregular silhouettes like leaves, vines, ivy, ferns, but the developer also notes suitable use cases in flat debris, stickers, posters, and paper scraps, where alpha planes normally create overdraw problems.

In Nanite rendering, alpha cutouts are computationally expensive since masked fragments are still rasterised. By converting them into actual geometry, CardCutter removes the transparency pass entirely, allowing the GPU to perform visibility culling at the triangle level. This is beneficial for scenes with dense foliage or decal overlays.

Export workflow and integration

Meshes generated by CardCutter can be exported directly from Blender using Unreal’s standard FBX pipeline. The add-on does not alter material data; instead, it preserves UV maps for external shading setups. Unreal users can apply the same texture as an opacity mask or base colour without modification.

CardCutter also supports consistent vertex orientation to avoid flipped normals during export. According to the developer, all geometry is manifold and suitable for Nanite import without further cleanup, though it may require triangulation if the user modifies topology post-generation.

Pricing and licensing

CardCutter is distributed via Gumroad. The Individual/Freelance licence costs €12 and includes full functionality, updates, and one user seat. The Studio/Enterprise licence, priced at €50, allows unlimited installations within one facility and provides priority support for pipeline integration. Both include lifetime updates and are maintained by Philipp Russo under The Triangle Forge label.

Technical limitations and notes

At the time of publication, CardCutter is compatible exclusively with Blender 4.0 or newer. The add-on does not currently support real-time texture-to-mesh previews or batch automation through the command line.

Users should test export consistency when integrating the tool into complex Unreal foliage systems that depend on hierarchical instancing or runtime material overrides. The add-on outputs static geometry only, without procedural modifiers or animation rigs.

The post CardCutter turns texture into Nanite meshes first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

For those who don’t know the tool: Fab is Epic Games marketplace for 3D assets, replacing the Unreal Marketplace. It regularly offers time-limited free asset sets that you can permanently add to your library once claimed. These packs are commercially usable, work in most DCC applications and engines, and are a practical way to expand or start an asset collection without cost.

Two weeks to go before the calendar expires, and if you are looking to bury your good intentions somewhere scenic, Epic Games has the perfect spot. The Cryptic Realms Necropolis pack, normally $99.99, is free on Fab until 27 January 2026.

The pack offers 371 placeable objects to construct a stylised graveyard environment. It includes 80 modular meshes for ruins, tombs and crumbling architecture, plus graves, coffins, and set dressing items to complete the scene of your artistic demise.

Death by detail

Each asset includes 23 materials and textures, up to 4,096 by 4,096 pixels. The models support Nanite and Lumen, Unreal Engine’s systems for high-density geometry and dynamic lighting. There are three preset lighting setups to choose from, along with a modular environmental audio system to ensure your ghosts sound convincing. The pack is built for Unreal Engine 5.1 and later. However, the Fab Standard licence allows use in any engine or tool, including commercial projects, as long as the Fab EULA is followed.

Available now, before it’s dead again

The Necropolis pack can be downloaded free from Fab until 27 January 2026, after which it returns to its regular price. Perfect timing if you plan to give your old projects a decent burial before the new year arrives. As always, test assets thoroughly before using them in production or before the next resurrection of your pipeline.

The post Bury Your Good Intentions in 3D first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

Epic Games has released the Ancient Temple Ruins asset pack as part of its time-limited free content on Fab. The pack includes 80 modular environment assets for creating ruined temple scenes and will remain free to download until 13 January 2026.

Created by Shapefarm Senior Environment Artist Rasmus Bagner, the set provides modular architecture (walls, roofs, floors), vegetation (trees, palms, rubber plants) and a range of small scatter props. The assets are built for Unreal Engine 5, making full use of Nanite virtualised geometry. All textures ship at up to 4096×4096px resolution.

Lumen lighting and engine flexibility

The included sample project demonstrates the assets within a Lumen lighting setup, featuring four predefined lighting environments. According to Epic, only the main tree asset includes LODs; all other models rely on Nanite for rendering efficiency. The pack is compatible with Unreal Engine 5.2 or newer.

Although designed for Unreal, the assets are released under the Fab Standard licence, which allows use in “any engine or tool”, including for commercial projects, as long as users comply with the Fab EULA.

Download and production notes

The Ancient Temple Ruins pack can be claimed from Fab’s listing page before the deadline. Once added to a user’s library, the assets remain available permanently. The models can be imported into other tools such as Blender, Maya, or 3ds Max through standard file export.

As with any new asset pack, we recommend testing performance and compatibility within active pipelines before using the models in production scenes. Seriously. Remember your New Year’s resolutions!

The post Epic drops 80 free temple assets on Fab first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.