Polygonflow has released Dash 1.9, a world-building tool for Unreal Engine 5, aiming to streamline digital 3D world creation. This update offers a variety of enhancements to improve usability and efficiency.

Free Content Browser

The Dash Content Browser is now freely accessible, providing users with easy integration of assets from platforms like FAB and Poly Haven into their Unreal Engine projects. This feature simplifies the process of browsing, searching, and importing assets.

Enhanced Asset Organization

Dash 1.9 introduces a new Collection system and tagging features, enabling more efficient asset organization. The update also improves search functionality with support for semantically similar names, better handling of misspellings, and the use of “+” and “–” operators.

Advanced Shaders

Responding to user feedback, Dash 1.9 includes a revamped water shader featuring waves and underwater effects. Accessible via the Create tab under Advanced Water shader, it also offers a rain-on-water effect for added realism. Additionally, a new Create Falling Leaves feature allows for the integration of directionally falling leaves with customizable settings.

Runtime Virtual Texture Workflow

The update introduces the first Runtime Virtual Texture (RVT) workflow, optimized for Dash terrains or Unreal Engine 5 Landscapes, enhancing texture rendering efficiency.

For a comprehensive list of updates, including a multi-asset picker and various bug fixes, refer to the release notes. Users are encouraged to evaluate these new features to determine their suitability for current projects

For those eager to dive into Dash 1.9’s capabilities, Polygonflow offers a 14-day free trial, granting full access to all features without the need for credit card information. This trial period allows users to thoroughly evaluate the tool’s functionality and its potential integration into their workflows. Following the trial, various licensing options are available, including a perpetual license priced at $230, a student subscription at $7 per month, a freelance artist plan at $10 per month (with a 50% discount for the first three months), and an enterprise subscription at $89 per month.

The post Dash 1.9 Makes a Splash in UE5 Asset Management first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

The MakeHuman team has released MPFB 2, an open-source Blender plugin that brings advanced character generation directly into Blender. Building upon the legacy of the standalone MakeHuman application, MPFB 2 offers a suite of features tailored for 3D artists and developers.

One-Click Humanoid Creation

MPFB 2 introduces a “one-click-create” functionality, allowing users to swiftly generate a basic humanoid mesh. This feature provides a foundation for further customization, streamlining the character creation process.

Parametric Modeling Within Blender

Artists can now perform parametric modeling directly within Blender, adjusting body features dynamically in the viewport. This integration eliminates the need for external applications, offering a more cohesive workflow.

Compatibility with Existing Assets

MPFB 2 supports the direct opening of MHM files within Blender, ensuring compatibility with assets created in earlier versions of MakeHuman. Additionally, all parametric settings are stored as shape keys, facilitating non-destructive editing.

Dynamic Asset Library Integration

The plugin allows for dynamic loading from an asset library, enabling users to incorporate various assets seamlessly into their projects.

Enhanced Rigging and Animation Support

MPFB 2 offers support for Rigify meta rigs and introduces new inverse kinematics (IK) helpers, simplifying the rigging process. Users can also store poses, enhancing animation workflows.

Procedural Eye Shader

A new procedural eye shader has been introduced, allowing for the creation of realistic eye materials without relying on image textures.

System Requirements and Availability

MPFB 2 requires Blender version 4.2 or higher. The plugin is free to download and is available under a GPLv3 license. For more information and to access the plugin, visit the official MPFB page.

Note: While MPFB 2 offers a robust set of features, it’s advisable to thoroughly test the plugin within your specific production pipeline to ensure compatibility and stability.

For a visual guide on getting started with MPFB 2, you can watch the following tutorial:

The post MPFB 2: Blender’s New Character Generation Sidekick first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

In the bustling world of motion graphics and VFX compositing, Left Angle has introduced Autograph Starter, a free version of their flagship software, Autograph. Autograph Starter provides unrestricted access to all features without watermarks—until you hit the two-project limit, that is. After that, watermarks become your new collaborators.

No Strings Attached—Almost

Autograph Starter is available for commercial use, allowing users to sell their creations to clients. There’s no trial period or expiration date, so you can take your time crafting masterpieces. However, you’re limited to a maximum of two projects. To start a new one, you’ll need to overwrite an existing project. Projects created by others can be opened but not saved, ensuring you don’t get too attached to borrowed brilliance.

Feature Highlights

• Text Animation: Animate various text properties and transform text into 3D extruded meshes with a single click.
• Design Import: Import and animate SVG files from Illustrator and Figma, as well as PSD files from Affinity and Photoshop.
• Shape Animation: Create complex shape animations and convert them into 3D extruded objects effortlessly.
• Versatile Animation Toolkit: Utilize traditional keyframes, retiming curves, procedural animations, or motion paths without the need for expressions.
• Multi-Editing: Animate multiple elements simultaneously with the powerful multi-editing tool, reducing repetitive tasks.

Limitations to Keep in Mind

While Autograph Starter is generous, it has a few constraints:

• Compositions: Limited to Full HD resolution, a maximum of 30 frames per second, and a duration of 30 seconds.
• Advanced Effects: Certain modifiers, such as Vector Blur, Film Grain, UV Map Generator, Shadertoy, and Defocus, are watermarked.
• OpenFX Plug-ins: Not supported in Autograph Starter.

Seamless Integration with DaVinci Resolve

For those working with DaVinci Resolve, Autograph Starter offers integration through the Autograph Live Link (currently in beta for Windows and macOS). This feature allows users to drag and drop motion graphics animations directly into Resolve’s timeline, streamlining the editing process.

Upgrade Path

When you’re ready to break free from the two-project shackles, upgrading to Autograph Creator or Studio unlocks unlimited projects and additional features for a more professional experience.

Final Thoughts

Autograph Starter is a robust, free tool for motion graphics and VFX professionals, offering a rich feature set with manageable limitations. It’s a great way to explore Autograph’s capabilities before committing to a paid version. However, always verify any new features in your workflow to ensure they meet your project’s requirements.

The post Autograph Starter: Free Motion Graphics Tool with a Twist first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

First up, Godot 4.4 integrates the Jolt Physics engine directly into its core. Previously available as an extension, Jolt has been the go-to physics engine for many users since late 2022. While this feature is rigorously tested, it’s currently labeled “experimental.” Developers can enable it in the project settings after consulting the documentation to ensure compatibility with their specific use cases.

Embedded Game Windows

Gone are the days of juggling multiple windows like a circus performer. Godot 4.4 introduces embedded game windows, allowing developers to run the game seamlessly within the editor. This feature is currently supported on Linux, Windows, and Android platforms, with macOS support in the pipeline.

Interactive In-Game Editing

Ever wished you could tweak your game on the fly? Now you can. Godot 4.4’s interactive in-game editing lets developers modify game elements in real-time, even while the game is running or paused. This enhancement streamlines the development process, making it more intuitive and efficient.

Ubershaders

Shader compilation stutter got you down? Enter Ubershaders. These pre-compiled shaders act as fallbacks, eliminating the need to wait for specialized shader pipelines to compile during gameplay. The result? A smoother gaming experience without those pesky pauses.

AgX Tone Mapping

For those striving for a cinematic look, Godot 4.4 introduces AgX tone mapping. Adapted from Blender’s recent adoption of the AgX algorithm, this implementation provides a more filmic rendering, especially effective in handling bright scenes.

Performance Improvements

Under the hood, Godot 4.4 boasts faster load times, reduced stuttering, and streamlined processes. These quality-of-life improvements enhance the overall development experience, making the engine more responsive and efficient.

Before migrating existing projects to Godot 4.4, developers are advised to consult the migration guide to understand any breaking changes.

The post Godot 4.4: The Engine That Could (and Did) first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

Developed by lyoshko, Road Creator Pro is a powerful and flexible tool for creating realistic roads, highways, bridges, and intersections within Unreal Engine 5. Whether you’re constructing gravel roads, urban streets, or expansive highways, it offers a spline-based workflow, customizable road elements, and seamless landscape integration, enabling you to design detailed road networks efficiently.

Key Features

• Versatile Road Creation System: Design various road types, from city streets and gravel paths to multi-lane highways, bridges, and tunnels, using a flexible spline-based approach. Roads can have 1 to 8 lanes.
• Customizable Road Parts and Sidewalks: Enhance roads with guardrails, fences, concrete barriers, sidewalks, pedestrian paths, lampposts, noise barriers, cat’s eyes, gravel shoulders, and tactile paving. Each element can be adjusted for size, material, and placement, ensuring seamless integration into any environment.
• Advanced Intersections and Roundabouts: Easily incorporate pre-made intersections, roundabouts, and highway merges with automatic road snapping. Supports complex traffic flow management, including customizable road markings, road signs, stop lines, and pedestrian crossings.
• Bridges, Overpasses, and Tunnels: Construct detailed bridges with support for various styles, including overpasses and cable-stayed bridges with pylons and cables. Modify support spacing, height, and add abutments. Create tunnels with portals, lighting, and functional fans.
• Realistic Road Materials and Damage: Apply high-quality customizable materials such as asphalt with road markings, gravel, pavement, and concrete. Features include procedural cracks, patches, wetness/puddles, wear, broken guardrails, and asphalt edge ripple. Road lane markings are fully customizable, including lateral positioning, dashing, and double lines.
• Road Snapping and Editing: Utilize a snapping system to seamlessly connect roads, intersections, junctions, and roundabouts. Tools are included for splitting/merging roads and ensuring slopes and curvatures comply with international guidelines.
• Traffic Lights and Signage System: Integrate customizable traffic lights with adjustable sequencing and pedestrian signals. Includes physics-enabled European and American road signs, as well as destination signs with editable text.
• Performance Optimization: Employs instanced static meshes, LOD-based optimization, appropriate texture sizes, and scalable materials to ensure smooth performance, even in large-scale environments. Compatible with Static, Lumen, Mobile, and Path Tracer lighting types. Roads can be merged into a single mesh.
• Terrain Deformation and Seamless Integration: Roads automatically conform to landscapes, deforming terrain with adjustable height offsets and terrain painting to ensure natural blending.
• Level Decoration: Includes elements such as road closures, road poles, European and U.S. road signs, walls, fences, and fire hydrants. Decals for leaks, patches, skid marks, potholes, and road markings are also provided. Various barrier blueprints allow for prop scattering along splines.
• Day-Night Cycle and Night Visibility Enhancements: Integrated lighting control allows automatic sun and moon movement, with streetlights switching based on time of day. Features retroreflective road markings and elements, as well as light billboards on lampposts to enhance nighttime visibility.
• Detailed Demo Level: Includes three pre-built cities featuring European, American, and British-style roads, with a total of 44.5 km of drivable roads.

Each mesh features high-quality geometry and UVs, with a polycount suitable for high-quality architectural visualization. Meshes are equipped with Nanite or efficient LODs, correct lightmap UVs, and are ready for baked lighting, Lumen, mobile, and path tracing. They also include game-ready collision, customizable materials, and are scaled to real-world dimensions.

For more information and to purchase Road Creator Pro, visit the official page.

Note: As with any new tool, it’s advisable to thoroughly evaluate Road Creator Pro’s features and compatibility with your specific project requirements before integration.

The post Road Creator Pro: Paving the Way in Unreal Engine 5 first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.