Adobe has introduced three new adjustment layers to Photoshop: Clarity, Dehaze and Grain. These controls were previously available only through Camera Raw and the Camera Raw Filter. They are now accessible as standard, non-destructive adjustment layers within the main Photoshop layer stack.

According to Adobe, the new layers behave like other adjustment layers. They can be masked, reordered, blended and revisited at any time without altering the underlying image data. This brings parity between Camera Raw based workflows and traditional Photoshop compositing, reducing the need to commit early to contrast or texture decisions.

Clarity adjusts midtone contrast, Dehaze targets low-frequency contrast loss caused by atmospheric scatter, and Grain applies a controllable film-style noise pattern. Adobe does not specify whether the underlying algorithms are identical to those in Camera Raw, only that the controls are now natively available in Photoshop.

Generative tools move to higher resolution

Adobe has updated several Firefly-powered features in Photoshop, including Generative Fill, Generative Expand and the Remove tool. Output resolution has been increased to up to 2K. Adobe states this results in sharper detail, fewer visible artefacts and improved alignment with text prompts.

The company also highlights improvements to Reference Image support. When a reference is supplied, the generative system is intended to better preserve object identity, including scale, orientation, lighting, colour and perspective. Adobe positions this as a way to reduce iterative prompting when compositing generated elements into existing plates.

Dynamic Text enters beta

A new Dynamic Text feature, currently labelled as beta, allows users to transform text layers into predefined shapes such as circles, arcs and curves with a single action. The text remains editable and automatically conforms to the chosen shape without requiring manual path creation.

Adobe frames this as a productivity feature for layout and graphic design tasks. The company does not indicate whether the system supports custom shapes or whether it exposes underlying typographic controls beyond the provided presets. As a beta feature, behaviour and availability may change.

Availability and platforms

These updates are available now in Photoshop on desktop. The improved generative tools are also available in Photoshop on the web. No changes to pricing or subscription structure are mentioned. Photoshop remains available exclusively via Adobe’s subscription model.

As with all new or updated tools, Adobe recommends testing features in non-critical projects before integrating them into production workflows. New tools and innovations should always be validated in real-world conditions before use on actual client work.

// Adobe blog announcement on new Photoshop features
// https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2026/01/27/new-photoshop-innovations-provide-creative-pros-more-control-realism-precision

The post Photoshop gets less destructive and slightly less vague first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

After seven years in the development barrel, GIMP 3.0 has finally rolled out, introducing a range of features aimed at streamlining image editing workflows. The open-source editor now includes non-destructive editing for frequently used filters—allowing changes at any time without compromising the original image data. These filters come with real-time, on-canvas previews, giving users immediate feedback without constantly toggling through dialog boxes or menus.

The file format support has been broadened: PSD export now offers better compatibility, potentially smoothing collaboration with Adobe Photoshop users. There’s also support for BC7 DDS files, useful for artists dealing with texture-heavy workflows, particularly in real-time graphics or game development.

GIMP’s paint tools have also learned new tricks, automatically expanding layers as needed during the creative process—no more mid-brush interruptions for layer resizing. For those managing complex projects, layer multi-selection is now a thing: multiple items can be moved or transformed at once, cutting down on repetitive micro-management.

Text lovers will note enhancements in the text editing department: outlines, shadows, and bevels can now be applied directly to text, while retaining the ability to adjust font and styling on the fly. Also improved is the color management, positioning GIMP 3.0 closer to workflows that demand precision in color grading and finishing.

The user interface has undergone a significant overhaul with the transition to GTK3, resulting in better UI scaling on HiDPI screens and improved support for tablet input. This update also introduces a CSS-based theme system, encouraging users to create custom themes more easily. Additionally, GIMP 3.0 now runs natively on Wayland, offering more flexibility in various operating environments.

For a comprehensive overview of GIMP 3.0’s new features and to download the latest version, visit the official GIMP website. As always, a reminder: just because it’s shiny and new doesn’t mean it’s ready for your next client deadline—test thoroughly before committing it to production.

More on the release and its impact on post-production workflows? We’ve covered that over on Digital Production—including thoughts on whether GIMP 3.0 has aged like wine… or vinegar.

The post GIMP 3.0: Free Image Editor Gets Non-Destructive—and a Bit Fancy first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

>> Check out the iClone 8.52 new features video

AccuPOSE: Revolutionizing Natural 3D Posing

AccuPOSE, an AI-powered innovation utilizing deep learning models trained on ActorCore’s extensive motion database. AccuPOSE understands human movement across countless scenarios, enabling users to create highly natural poses with minimal effort. Beyond hand-key animation, this technology plays a vital role in connecting motion clips, refining motion layers, and dramatically simplifying mocap data cleanup.

• Control Full Body Movement: Achieve full-body transformations merely from minimal inputs. AccuPOSE’s real-time body pose estimation guarantees natural postures during editing. 
• Pose-Driven Gestures: Arm adjustments naturally drive wrist movements and hand gestures, generating authentic human behaviors with minimal effort.

>> Check out the demo on the product page

Fully Controllable AI Guidance

To work in harmony with AI technology, controllability is a huge factor. The real brilliance of AccuPose lies in its unmatched flexibility and precision. You have the power to decide which parts of the body the AI adjusts and which parts remain untouched. This allows you to fine-tune every movement to your exact needs.

• Precision & Freedom: By applying Transformation and Rotation constraints to selected joints, designers can control AI pose suggestions with precision and flexibility.
• Constraints & Lock: Utilize T/R Constraints to maintain manual control flexibility. Use the Lock feature to securely fix the end effectors in place.
• AI Suggestion: You can specify which part of the body the AI should provide suggestions for, while preserving the desired sections by using locks and move/rotate constraints.
• Mirror: The Mirror feature ensures that AI-generated poses for hands or legs maintain symmetry with mirrored postures during any adjustments

>> Check out the demo on the product page

Seamless Integration with Existing Works

Getting started with AccuPose is straightforward. Simply open the tool, select an AI behavior model, and transform any pose effortlessly with the guidance of natural posing techniques.

• Works with Normal Poses: Transform existing poses into AccuPoses with selected behaviors, and experience the precision of natural posing with customizable IK constraints.
• Clip Layer Editing: By incorporating AI-assisted layer keys, users can effectively enhance motion velocity in selected motion clips.
• Keyframing from Library: Easily add dynamic poses from the AccuPOSE to arrange keyframes on the timeline, optionally filling in custom in-betweens and curves for smooth transitions. 

>> Check out the demo on the product page

Accelerates All Key Animation Workflow

Curious about how AI-assisted posing can enhance your workflow? It’s incredibly adaptable and can be applied wherever setting keyframes is needed, making it a valuable tool across various creative tasks.

• Handkey Animation: Driven by deep-learned human motions, the posing suggestion enhances the efficiency of quality keyframe posing and supports the creation of compelling animation styles.
• Connecting Clips: The intelligent posing feature simplifies the process of filling in missing poses between motion clips, creating more natural transitions.
• Mocap Correction: The natural AI posing capability can effectively solve the mocap challenges such as shoulder stiffness, motion distortion, and even enhances animations with realistic hand gestures.
• Curve & Trajectory: iClone’s motion curve and motion trail functions empower animators to refine keyframe timing and spatial trajectories, ensuring high-quality animation outcomes.

>> Check out the demo on the product page

Download AccuPOSE CORE Free and Subscribe INFINITY for All 

3D Posing with the assistance of AI might sound exciting itself, but AccuPOSE is way more than that. It comes with a big library of AI-training models that answer your diverse scenario demands. 

The same control applied to a selected joint can yield entirely different results depending on the chosen AccuPOSE model, giving users absolute control over the character’s AI reactions.

AccuPOSE is a free plugin for iClone 8.52, all users will have access to the CORE Library, it supports fundamental human body movements like stand, sit, walk, kneel, lie, prone, etc.  For those seeking advanced features, the INFINITY expansion offers an extensive library of over 1,000 AI-trained poses across 41 genres, along with continuous updates. 

>> Download & Subscribe

Elevates Motion Editing to Pro Level

The iClone 8.52 release brings four highly acclaimed professional animation features, voted by animators as essential to their workflows. These tools are meticulously crafted to serve as the foundation of daily productivity.

Motion Trail

The motion trail feature enables professional animators to visualize trajectories for selected joints. It supports real-time editing of keyframes directly on the trail or within the curve editor, providing an efficient approach to managing motion paths and animation timing. Additionally, users can adjust the path range and customize the trail’s color to improve control and visualization.

Non-Destructive Editing

Users can now break motion clips without worrying about losing data, as cut-out portions remain recoverable. Additionally, for clips edited with motion layer keys, our non-destructive approach retains all layer data for further editing. 

Curve Filters 

Several new filter options are added. These include tools that remove jitters while preserving motion details, fix peak noise, reduce keys for bezier spline editing, and smooth selected tracks seamlessly.

Curve Performance Enhancement

Motion Curve performance has been significantly enhanced for intensive editing across multiple tracks. Users can now enjoy near-instant responsiveness when selecting, moving, copying, pasting, or deleting keys in extended curve sequences.

Related Sources

iClone 8.52 full announcement

AccuPOSE Tutorials

Check out iClone 8.52 new features

iClone 8.52 release note

Learn more about iClone 8

Online manual

FAQ

The post iClone 8.52: A Major Leap for Animation Editing first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Advertorial.

The GNU Image Manipulation Program—better known as GIMP—has officially released version 3.0 as a release candidate—a very late beta—two decades after the last major update. The open-source image editor, often compared to Photoshop, introduces long-awaited features and updates aimed at keeping digital artists, photographers, and post-production professionals in the loop. Simplicity and stability are key here, but let’s see if GIMP 3.0 delivers on those fronts.

GTK3: New Looks, Same Roots

The biggest visible change: GIMP now runs on GTK3, a modern graphical toolkit that brings long-overdue improvements to the user interface. Menus look cleaner, icons sharper, and the overall design better fits modern operating systems. That applies across platforms too: Windows, macOS, and Linux users finally share a consistent experience. Of course, ‘consistent’ doesn’t mean revolutionary—expect the familiar GIMP aesthetic with subtle tweaks, not a complete redesign.

Non-Destructive Editing (Kind of)

Non-destructive editing has entered the chat—but cautiously. GIMP 3.0 now supports non-destructive workflows for adjustments like transforms, thanks to updated layer functions. It’s not fully node-based or adjustment-layer driven like Photoshop, but it’s progress. Artists can now tweak edits without permanently altering base pixels, saving headaches during complex edits.

Multi-threading: Faster and (Possibly) Smoother

Performance takes a leap forward with multi-threading support. Tasks like filters and layer operations can now utilize multiple CPU cores, offering a speed boost for heavier projects. While real-time graphics and VFX workflows may still lean on other tools, GIMP 3.0 becomes more viable for quick edits and asset adjustments without endless progress bars. However, the GPU remains unused, so don’t expect hardware acceleration to lighten the load just yet.

Color Management Gets Practical

For professionals, GIMP 3.0 doubles down on color management. It’s now baked into the workflow, ensuring color profiles (like sRGB or CMYK) are properly handled. That’s critical for anyone working across multiple screens or preparing images for print. HDR support is still missing, so you might want to temper expectations if you’re aiming for full-color workflows.

GIMP in the Modern Age?

So, has GIMP kept up with the times? Sort of. The open-source nature still appeals to artists avoiding subscription fees, but tools like Photoshop, Affinity Photo, and Krita maintain their edge for specific needs. Stability remains a priority—fact-check GIMP 3.0’s multi-threaded performance before relying on it for production-heavy edits.

GIMP 3.0 is free to download from the official GIMP website. Pricing remains unbeatable: zero. But as always, free tools come with trade-offs. For artists who want full non-destructive workflows or deep compositing features, GIMP may still feel like an intermediate step.

The post GIMP 3.0 Finally Lands: Has the Free Editor Aged Like Wine? first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.