For those who don’t know the tool: Keentools is a 3D tracking node for Nuke and an add-on for Blender and After Effects, sitting between matchmove and comp where your patience goes to die.

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KeenTools shipped 2026.1.0 with a clear theme: newer host versions, fewer annoying edge cases, and one new refinement switch that trades absolute accuracy for steadier motion.

The Nuke package now supports Nuke 16.1 and Nuke 17.0 across the nodes in the package. The Blender pack now supports Blender 5.1. GeoTracker for After Effects fixes a bug that caused inverted mesh UVs when exporting to Alembic. TextureBuilder received a fix aimed at full compatibility with Nuke’s new USD-based 3D system.

Nuke: new Refine modes, same tracker

In Nuke, GeoTracker adds two Refine modes in the Smoothing tab: Precise and Smooth. Precise mode behaves like the prior default. It targets maximum tracking accuracy. The notes also call out a known downside: inconsistent keyframes can lead to tiny jumps. That matches the kind of micro jitter that can make a trcak feel wrong even when the overall solve looks solid.

Smooth mode aims to remove those tiny jumps when keyframes do not align perfectly. The release notes also state that Smooth can slightly affect absolute tracking accuracy. That makes the intent explicit: Smooth exists for shots where visual steadiness beats the last bit of numeric precision.

The update does not change the basic concept of GeoTracker. It gives artists a more direct choice at the end of the refinement step, instead of forcing endless keyframe nudging and re-running refine until the twitch goes away.

Host support matters here too. The same update adds Nuke 16.1 and Nuke 17.0 support across the nodes in the Nuke package. That helps facilities that keep multiple Nuke versions installed and need the same toolset available in both.

Nuke: TextureBuilder and USD

TextureBuilder received a fix intended to make it fully compatible with Nuke’s new USD-based 3D system. The release notes keep it at that level, with no extra detail about which USD features, scene layouts, or node setups the fix touches.

USD has a way of turning minor incompatibilities into big time sinks, because the problems tend to surface late, when a scene graph comes in from somewhere else and the viewer looks fine until it does not. This update targets that failure mode by addressing USD support inside TextureBuilder in the context of Nuke’s new 3D system.

Blender: 5.1 support and texturing repair

The Blender pack now supports Blender 5.1. including a fix for a texturing issue in GeoTracker and FaceTracker in Blender. After the fix, the texture grab works as it should.

After Effects: Alembic export UVs

GeoTracker for After Effects fixes a bug that caused inverted mesh UVs when exporting to Alembic. The release notes describe the fix as helpful for sending tracking data to third-party tools. The bug description stays specific to UV orientation during Alembic export.

UV flips can hide in plain sight, especially when a downstream tool or shader setup masks the problem until someone changes a render path. Fixing the export at the source reduces that risk when geometry leaves After Effects for another stage.

If you rely on Alembic in your handoff chain, test an export after updating and inspect UV orientation in the next tool in the chain using a known reference asset.

https://keentools.io/

The post KeenTools 2026.1: Nuke 17 and Blender 5.1 first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

For those who don’t know the tool: KeenTools is a suite of professional tracking and head-creation plugins used in Blender and Nuke for geometry and facial workflows, and in Adobe After Effects for object tracking. It complements DCCs like Blender for 3D production and Nuke for compositing, and interacts with character-design tools such as Character Creator.

What’s in 2025.3

Keentools released version 2025.3. This is the final scheduled release for the year and focuses on host compatibility and workflow extensions. The update adds official support for Blender 5.0 across its Blender plugin pack. Earlier versions of KeenTools plugins already supported Blender 2.80+, but this brings full compatibility with the latest major Blender release.

FaceBuilder for Blender now includes direct integration with Character Creator 5, allowing artists to send 3D head models created in Blender into Character Creator 5. This expands on existing integrations and streamlines head-creation pipelines between these tools.

After Effects & Export Improvements

GeoTracker for Adobe After Effects gains support for After Effects 25.6, ensuring the plugin runs with the current AE build. The notable addition is the ability to export 3D scene-tracking data as an Alembic (.abc) file, making it easier to transfer tracked objects and camera data into other 3D applications. The release notes emphasise that Alembic export applies to full 3D scene tracking from GeoTracker in After Effects.

Nuke Open Beta Support

For Foundry Nuke users, the 2025.3 update adds compatibility with Nuke 16.1 and 17.0 open beta builds. This ensures KeenTools nodes and plugins operate in these pre-release environments as users test the latest compositor versions.

What’s Not Changed

There is no indication from the official release notes of major new tracking algorithms, UI overhauls, or fundamental workflow rewrites. This update centres on host support and select workflow exports rather than algorithmic feature expansion.

What You Should Know

Artists considering production adoption should verify compatibility with their exact host versions and pipeline tools before integrating 2025.3 into active projects. As always with plugin updates, running controlled tests in a non-production environment is recommended. Not independently verified at press time: performance impact or stability across all host configurations.

The post KeenTools 2025.3 Brings Blender 5, Character Creator 5 & AE Exports first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

KeenTools has released “FaceTracker” for Blender. The software offers real-time face tracking and is available for free in the beta version.

KeenTools, known for its face tracking tools in Nuke, has released a new extension called “FaceTracker” specifically for Blender. The plugin enables real-time face tracking directly within the Blender environment and is free to use in the beta phase. This integration offers users the opportunity to efficiently integrate face mocap data into their workflow. KeenTools aims to make the use of Face-Mocap easier and more accessible by making the proven technology available to Blender users.

The “FaceTracker” functionality is seamlessly integrated into the Blender interface. Users can access the familiar controls and functions they know from other KeenTools plugins. It utilises the core technologies that KeenTools has already established in other popular 3D software solutions such as Nuke. The tool supports a wide range of use cases, from the creation of character animations to the realisation of complex VFX sequences.

A key advantage of “FaceTracker” is its real-time capability. This allows artists to see changes and adjustments immediately without having to wait for long render times. The real-time transmission of face tracking data in Blender makes it possible to react directly to feedback and thus optimise the production process. The technology behind “FaceTracker” uses algorithms based on machine learning to deliver accurate results without the need for time-consuming preparations or markings on the actor’s face.

An important aspect that users should be aware of is the beta phase of “FaceTracker”. Bugs and unforeseen problems can occur during this phase. Any new functionality should therefore be carefully tested before it is used in ongoing projects in order to avoid possible interruptions to production.

Price and licence models
KeenTools is currently offering “FaceTracker” for Blender in a beta version free of charge. This phase allows users to test the plugin and provide feedback. KeenTools has not yet announced how long this beta phase will last and what costs may be incurred after the official release. Users should keep an eye on developments on the KeenTools website to stay informed about future pricing and licence models.

Further information and detailed instructions on how to use “FaceTracker” in Blender can be found in the official KeenTools documentation. For direct updates and support, KeenTools also offers regular releases on their website.

The post KeenTools releases “FaceTracker” for Blender first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.