For those who don’t know the tool: Milo is the real-time rendering companion to Silo from Nevercenter, designed for fast lighting and lookdev directly from models edited in Silo. It runs as a linked app, updates automatically on save, and ships with the same perpetual licence.

Unreal Engine upgrade does the heavy lifting

Nevercenter has released Milo version 2026.0.0, a substantial technical update centred on a full migration to Unreal Engine 5.7. According to Nevercenter, the engine upgrade delivers significant improvements in both rendering quality and performance, following systematic optimisation across the renderer.

In a video walkthrough accompanying the release, Nevercenter founder Tom Hudson demonstrates real-time raytracing running on an Nvidia RTX 3060, (a five-year-old GPU), with lighting rigs adjusted interactively at high frame rates. Hudson states that comparable scenes in previous Milo versions ran significantly slower on the same hardware, particularly when raytracing was enabled.

Raytracing and pathtracing split by platform

Rendering features now diverge more clearly by operating system. On macOS, Milo 2026.0 adds real-time raytracing support. Nevercenter states that this mode is broadly equivalent to the raytracing implementation on Windows, with improved shadow quality and lighting fidelity compared to earlier raster-only Mac builds.

On Windows, Milo gains a pathtracing mode intended for final-quality output rather than interactive navigation. Pathtracing is described by Nevercenter as physically based and progressive, refining the image over time when the camera remains still and restarting when the view changes. Hudson notes that lighting interpretation differs slightly from raytracing and raster modes, requiring manual adjustment of ambient levels or lighting rigs when switching between modes. Pathtracing is not available on macOS, due to Unreal Engine limitations on that platform (for now at least).

Soft shadows without raytracing

One notable rendering change applies across all platforms and quality modes. Soft shadows are now supported even when raytracing is disabled, for example, the Ring Light preset, which previously produced hard-edged shadows in raster mode.

In Milo 2026.0, raster mode preserves softer shadows for certain light types, while others such as the Sun rig continue to produce harder shadows by design. Nevercenter positions this as a quality improvement for users working without raytracing enabled, including those on lower-power systems.

All built-in lighting rigs have been updated and equalised. Nevercenter states that these presets now behave more consistently across raster, raytracing and pathtracing modes, and respond more smoothly to interactive adjustments.

Separate display and render quality settings

Milo 2026.0 introduces independent quality settings for display and render output. Users can navigate scenes in raster or raytracing mode while rendering final output using raytracing or pathtracing. This is a workflow feature intended to maintain interactivity in heavier scenes while still enabling higher-quality final frames. The render quality can be set to follow the display mode or overridden per output. Hudson notes that raytracing performance is now fast enough on many systems, including Apple Silicon machines such as the MacBook Air M2, that users may choose to stay in raytracing mode full time.

File handling and Silo synchronisation tweaks

Several small but practical workflow changes are included. Milo now supports drag-and-drop loading of model files directly into the application. Nevercenter also states that support for loading additional file formats has been added, and Integration with Silo has been refined . Objects set to wireframe or ghost shade mode in Silo are now automatically hidden in Milo when the file is saved. Nevercenter describes this as a convenience feature to exclude alternate or work-in-progress geometry from renders without manual layer or visibility management.

As in previous versions, material changes saved in Silo continue to update automatically in Milo, including adjustments to specular values that affect surface shininess in the renderer.

VR quietly exits

VR support has been removed entirely in Milo 2026.0. Nevercenter states that the feature was used very little and became increasingly difficult to maintain alongside new rendering features. Hudson describes the removal as a compromise to prioritise rendering quality and performance. Nevercenter does not rule out reinstating VR support in the future if user demand is strong, but no roadmap or commitment is provided.

What stays the same

Existing Milo features remain intact. These include turntable rendering and live spin previews, depth of field controls, wireframe overlays, adjustable background modes including sky, gradient, solid colour and image backgrounds, and line-art style rendering. Nevercenter emphasises that these features benefit indirectly from the performance improvements, remaining responsive even with higher-quality lighting enabled.

Nevercenter also highlights continued compatibility with its photo editing application CameraBag as part of the broader workflow, although no changes to that integration are described in this release.

Licensing and availability

Milo is not sold separately and continues to ship as part of the Silo licence. Nevercenter sells Silo as a perpetual licence, with Milo included at no extra cost. Milo 2026.0.0 is available to all current Silo users.

Supported platforms are Windows 10 or newer and macOS 12 or newer, including Apple Silicon systems. Hardware requirements for raytracing and pathtracing depend on GPU capabilities and operating system support, as defined by Unreal Engine.

Production notes

Milo 2026.0.0 represents a technically significant update, driven largely by its Unreal Engine 5.7 foundation and a focus on renderer performance. While Nevercenter demonstrates strong interactive results, particularly with raytracing enabled, artists should test the new version carefully on representative scenes and hardware before adopting it in production workflows.

// Nevercenter Milo 2026.0 release notes
// https://nevercenter.com/silo/features/#release_notes

The post Nevercenter speeds up Milo 2026 and drops VR quietly first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

Nevercenter has released Silo 2025.2, and the changelog is refreshingly pipeline-friendly. The big headline is that Silo can now import and export Pixar’s USD files, meaning it can finally hold a proper conversation with the rest of a modern production pipeline. Alongside that comes UDIM UV mapping, the tile-based approach to texturing that makes character artists and texture painters breathe a little easier. No more cramming 8K detail into a single UV island.

The update also touches the modelling workflow itself. Viewports can now be synced so that rotations, pans, and zooms line up across multiple views, which is handy if you like your orthos behaving like obedient soldiers. A new three-view vertical split layout joins the mix, offering another way to clutter your screen with geometry. Numeric inputs have learned some manners too: centimetres, millimetres, and inches are all accepted, with automatic conversion. In short, you can finally model a chair that actually fits through a door.

Several annoying bugs have been squashed along the way, including problems with multi-monitor setups and orthographic rotations. Long-time users will recognise these as the little paper cuts of Silo, so this is a welcome clean-up.

Pricing and Availability

If you bought Silo from Nevercenter within the past year, the update won’t cost you a cent. For everyone else, the current Silo plus Milo bundle is listed at 159 US dollars. As before, the package runs on Windows 10 (64-bit) and newer and macOS 12 or newer.

Caveats

Nevercenter calls the USD support “full,” but the fine print is missing. Which parts of the spec are truly covered — materials, shading networks, subdivision surfaces, animation — is not detailed. Similarly, UDIM performance with very large tile sets has not been documented. As always: test in your own pipeline before committing production work.

Conclusion

Silo 2025.2 is not trying to be Houdini, Maya, or Blender. But with USD, UDIMs, synced viewports, and proper unit handling, it has stopped being an island. For anyone who liked Silo’s speed but cursed its isolation, this is a significant step. The real test will be whether it plays nicely with the rest of your studio’s toolchain. Try it, break it, and decide for yourself.

The post Nevercenter Adds USD & UDIM in Silo 2025.2 first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

Nevercenter has rolled out the 2025 updates for Silo and Milo, its 3D modeling and real-time rendering tools. Aimed at professionals in VFX, game development, and animation, the new releases introduce incremental improvements to streamline workflows while staying true to Nevercenter’s hallmark of simplicity and accessibility.

What’s New in Silo 2025

Silo, a streamlined subdivision-surface modeling tool, has been updated to focus on improved usability for digital sculpting and asset creation. Key enhancements include:

• Viewport Upgrades: The viewport now supports a high-resolution grid and an updated 3D manipulator, enabling more precise control over models.
• Subdivision Improvements: Enhanced subdivision algorithms ensure smoother and more accurate meshes, particularly beneficial for intricate detailing.
• OBJ Export Refinement: OBJ file export is now faster and more stable, simplifying integration into pipelines involving software like Maya, Blender, or Unreal Engine.

Silo remains compatible with Windows and macOS, continuing its lightweight and hardware-friendly approach.

Milo 2025 Brings Real-Time Rendering Enhancements

Milo, Nevercenter’s rendering tool designed for showcasing 3D models, also receives a 2025 overhaul. While Milo emphasizes simplicity over the feature-heavy competition, the new version introduces features tailored for real-time graphics and presentations:

• Improved Lighting Options: Milo now offers advanced HDRI (High Dynamic Range Imaging) capabilities, improving environmental lighting setups for photorealistic renders.
• GPU Performance Gains: Optimized for modern GPUs, Milo processes complex scenes faster, ideal for quick lookdev or client presentations.
• Expanded Material Library: New pre-configured materials enhance visual fidelity while saving time for artists who need immediate results.

Like Silo, Milo is available on Windows and macOS, maintaining a straightforward user experience.

Pricing and Availability

Both tools are available as part of a perpetual license model. Silo 2025 is priced at $149 for a single-user license, and Milo 2025 is included for free. Updates are accessible for existing users via the Nevercenter website. Full details and purchasing options can be found on the official Nevercenter website.

Caution for Production Use

While Silo and Milo are marketed for professional-grade workflows, production artists should evaluate the tools’ stability within their pipelines before committing to critical projects. Regular updates and the lack of subscription fees make them appealing, but they may lack some of the depth found in heavyweight tools like Maya or Houdini.

For those seeking lightweight, no-frills tools for 3D modeling and rendering, Silo and Milo remain solid options—steady and practical, just how we like our tools in production.

The post Nevercenter Updates Silo and Milo for 2025: Refining 3D Modeling and Rendering first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

In nuce: Software developer Nevercenter has released Silo 2023 and Milo 2023; Silo is a modelling software, while Milo is a real-time renderer and virtual reality viewer respectively. The two software offerings are priced at just under 160 US dollars in a bundle; Silo and Milo are available for both Windows and Apple operating systems.

In toto: The most important new functions are listed below. The two videos at the end of this article provide a deeper insight into the new functions of Silo 2023 and Milo 2023.

• Silo 2023: The latest version introduces procedural modelling with non-destructive modifiers. These modifiers are user-definable and include the options bevels, extrusions, edge creasing, triangulation, deformation and more.
• Milo 2023: Upgrades to Unreal Engine 5 as part of the release. It also includes improvements to ray tracing, volumetric clouds, global illumination and rendering. In addition to lightbox and ring light lighting rigs (with soft shadows for ray tracing), these are the most important new features of Milo 2023.

Click further: To the official website of Silo and Milo at software developer Nevercenter. On 8.10.2021 , Digital Production reported on the release of the predecessor Silo 2021.3 – including the array replicate tool and randomisation function. A little later, on 3 September 2021, the release of Milo 2021.2 was worth reporting on, as users were delighted with improvements to rendering, ray tracing and a new live turntable feature.

Source: 80.lv ( message from Gloria Levine)

Silo 2023 Released With Major New Feature: Non-Destructive Modifiers

Milo 2023.0 – Now on UE5, Plus Two Powerful, New Lighting Rigs!

The post Real-time rendering and modelling tool in a double pack! first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Patrick Poti.

In nuce: Nevercenter, a small software company specialising in applications for 3D graphics, image processing and colour grading, has released version 2022.3 of Silo – a poly modeller. Silo 2022.3’s self-promotion states that the software is a lightweight 3D polygon modeller and UV mapper – at a comparatively low purchase price. It is also said that Poly Modeller is the ideal complement to Maya or Blender. Silo is available for Windows and Mac operating systems.

Silo 2022.3 – Handy New Primitives, Bug Fixes

New features: The most important new functions of Silo 2022.3 are listed below.

• New primitives designed to speed up modelling – including: Gear/Wheel, Quad Sphere and Tri Sphere. What these variations have in common is that they are all equipped with ready-made UV maps. Nevercenter emphasises how easy it is to create gears, wheels, towers, pipes or similar constructions thanks to the new Gear/Wheel primitives. Quad Sphere is based on a spherically divided cube and Tri Sphere on a spherically divided icosahedron.
• Various bug fixes: Further information on these and all other functions can be found in the corresponding blog post on nevercenter.com.

Click further: Digital Production last reported on Nevercenter on 8 October 2021 – at that time about the previous version Silo 2021.3. A little earlier, on 3 September 2021, we referred to the release of Milo 2021.2, the real-time renderer and VR viewer from Nevercenter.

The post The ideal extra for Maya and Blender? first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Patrick Poti.