The Icosa Foundation has unveiled Open Brush 2.10, a significant update to its open-source 3D painting software. This version introduces a much-anticipated Multiplayer mode, allowing artists to co-create in shared virtual spaces. Users can establish private ‘rooms’ and invite collaborators by sharing room names. Features include muting participants, assigning view-only roles, and the ability to remove users from sessions. While the current implementation supports core painting tools, additional functionalities are slated for future updates. (Read the release notes here)

Enhanced Tool Support and Flexibility

Open Brush 2.10 extends its compatibility by supporting Logitech’s MX Ink stylus, tailored for Meta Quest hardware. This integration offers artists a more tactile and precise drawing experience in VR. Additionally, the update allows for the erasure of ‘widgets’—imported images and 3D models—streamlining the editing process. Users can now also toggle experimental brushes on or off without the need to restart the application, enhancing workflow efficiency.

Availability and Licensing

Open Brush 2.10 is available for free on Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms. It supports a range of VR headsets, including HTC, Meta, Pico, and Windows Mixed Reality devices. The software is released under the Apache 2.0 license, ensuring it remains open-source and accessible to the creative community.

Considerations for Production Use

While Open Brush 2.10 introduces promising features for collaborative VR artistry, it’s advisable for professionals to thoroughly test the new functionalities within their specific workflows before integrating them into active projects. As with any software update, ensuring compatibility and stability in your production environment is crucial. For more information and to download Open Brush 2.10, visit the official website.

The post Open Brush 2.10: Painting Together, Virtually 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.