For those who don’t know the tool: Twinmotion is a real-time viz app powered by Unreal Engine, built for quick scene assembly, lighting, and outputs without living in node graphs.

Photo matching, now less of a dark art

Twinmotion 2026.1 adds a photo matching workflow built around a new Match Perspective tool. You load a background image as a backplate, identify vanishing points (Lines or Grid), and the camera adjusts position and focal length to match the image. The goal is simple: get a 3D model to sit reasonably convincingly inside a 2D photo without hand-tuning camera parameters for an afternoon.

The tool also includes shadow projection from 3D objects onto the calculated ground plane. That helps sell integration when the backplate already has strong directional cues. If you do client-facing previz or quick location studies, this is one of those features that saves time. It also nudges Twinmotion closer to the familiar backplate plus camera-match workflow many artists already use elsewhere, just with fewer steps and less guesswork.

Autosoft edge: a band-aid, in the best way

CG edges can read too sharp, especially when you are chasing photo-like results in a simplified lookdev context. Twinmotion 2026.1 introduces Autosoft edge, a rendering effect you can apply to selected objects to soften hard edges to a specified radius.

Autosoft Edge works in Standard, Lumen, and Path Tracer modes. That means you can keep one scene and one intent while switching render modes, without losing the edge treatment that helps prevent the razor-cut silhouette look. This is not a replacement for proper bevels when the model needs to withstand close-ups or be exchanged with other tools. It is a pragmatic option for when the scene is already in motion, the imported geometry is what it is, and you want a controllable, consistent soften in teh renderer.

Lighting channels: finally, selective light sanity

Twinmotion 2026.1 adds support for lighting channels. Lights only affect objects assigned to the same channel. In practice, this gives you the abiility to isolate what a physical light influences, which is a staple control in many pipelines.

A concrete example: you can keep your background lighting from touching a hero object in a product or fashion setup. That is useful when you want a clean key and fill on the subject, while the environment stays moody or stylised without contaminating the hero’s exposure and specular response.

Lighting channels do not magically solve bad lighting decisions, but they do let you build a scene that behaves more like a studio rig. You can steer light contribution with intent instead of compensating with endless tweaks to intensity and position.

Camera and lens effects: focus breathing for people who enjoy pain

Twinmotion 2026.1 adds Auto focus for depth of field. With Auto focus enabled, the focal point can automatically adjust to the centre of the screen, effectively following the camera’s look-at point. You can set how long it takes to adjust focus.

There is also a hunting behaviour option. The setting lets you choose whether hunting happens occasionally, frequently, or not at all. That is a very specific kind of realism knob, and it is nice to see it treated as a creative control rather than a bug you have to hide.

Depth of field bokeh gets two new characteristics: Anamorphic oval and Petzval. These affect the blur quality in out-of-focus areas, including elongated and swirling bokeh looks. The two can be used individually or combined. Holga-Hipsters, eat your heart out :P

A Barrel distortion slider rounds out the lens pack, curving straight lines near the edges of frame like real lenses, especially wide-angle ones. All of this points at a consistent theme: Twinmotion is leaning harder into camera language, not just lighting and assets. Which is excellent, if your deliverable is stills and clips that need to read as photographs rather than renders.

Particle VFX: more control, less waiting

Twinmotion 2026.1 revamps the particle-based effects in the Twinmotion library. The update optimised performance and visual quality, and it adds new examples.

More importantly for day-to-day work, the particle effects now have exposed parameters, so you can customise them. The examples called out include fire, fog, smoke, and water.

If your scenes lean on atmospherics to sell scale or mood, parameterised VFX is much more useful than locked presets. It turns the library from a look-up table into something you can art-direct.

European trees, and the stuff you only notice when it breaks

Twinmotion 2026.1 adds a European tree pack: 10 new species of photorealistic European trees, each with three variations, added to the Twinmotion library. If you build outdoor scenes for European contexts, that is straight-up practical content, not just another generic “coloured blob” set. And we are not making any political jokes here; we are talking about trees.

The release also changes how asset libraries live on disk. Twinmotion now manages the location of all asset libraries, including user libraries and user-generated content, in a persistent folder structure. This replaces the previous per-version folder structure.

The point is to stop making you copy, move, or redownload content each release. The persistent structure is intended to enable content to be shared across future versions and simplify file paths.

This is the kind of improvement that rarely makes a reel, but it absolutely shows up in the daily friction budget. Fewer duplicate paths also tends to mean fewer broken links, fewer “where did that go” moments, and less time spent doing file system archaeology. N oinformation yet hopw that integrates with existing asset management systems, like das element or others.

Availability and pricing

Twinmotion 2026.1 is available to download. Existing users can download it via the Epic Games Launcher, and subscribers can also download via the Developer Portal.

Pricing depends on who you are and what you need. Twinmotion is free to use for individuals and small businesses under $1 million USD in revenue in the past 12 months, educational institutions, and students. For individuals and businesses over $1 million USD in gross annual revenue, and/or requiring access to Twinmotion Cloud, Twinmotion seats cost $445 per seat per year.

There is also an Unreal Subscription option listed at $1,850 per seat per year, which includes upgrades for Unreal Engine, Twinmotion, and RealityScan for one year, plus access to Twinmotion Cloud. The All-in-one-thingy sub :)

https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/twinmotion/twinmotion-2026-1-release-notes

The post Epic Games ships Twinmotion 2026.1 first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

Twinmotion 2025.2 introduces Nanite, Unreal Engine’s virtualised geometry system. Nanite uses a new mesh format and rendering technology to stream only the visible parts of geometry on demand, allowing pixel-scale detail and very high object counts. Imported geometry meshes can be converted to Nanite at the time of import or afterwards via the Properties panel. A new Convert all to Nanite option has been added to the Scene graph’s contextual menu, enabling batch conversion of all geometries under a selected parent object. A dedicated Nanite triangles viewport mode displays Nanite mesh detail directly in the viewport. This can be enabled through the View mode icon.

In practice, this allows Twinmotion users to import high-resolution models from CAD, scan data, or sculpting applications without a pre-optimisation pass. According to Epic, the system is capable of handling datasets with hundreds of millions or even billions of polygons while retaining real-time responsiveness. This opens doors for users in architecture or automotive, where models often contain overwhelming detail at the component level, from bolts in a car chassis to screws in a façade system.

The implication is that asset fidelity is no longer artificially constrained at the import stage. However, Nanite’s real-world performance is always hardware dependent. While Epic emphasises “real-time performance,” users should expect performance scaling based on GPU capability, VRAM, and I/O throughput. Twinmotion’s positioning of Nanite as “removing the need to optimise” should be read literally only in terms of workflow steps, not in terms of performance costs. Heavy assets still consume resources.

Parallax Windows

Twinmotion 2025.2 includes a new Parallax Windows library. This library provides 32 assets, including office, residential, and gym interiors, alongside 10 retail interiors developed with wParallax.

These parallax windows can be dropped into scenes to simulate interior spaces without modelling and furnishing every room. Properties include night cycle simulation with randomised lighting, glass overlay simulation for added realism, and controls for mirroring and dual-sided occlusion.

3D Grass Material

The update adds a new 3D Grass Material with several enhancements. An Accent meshes section introduces small vegetation elements that break up uniform grass distribution and create a more natural appearance. A new Presets section contains 15 curated setups combining grass types, accent meshes, and parameter settings. Colour blending has been reworked, and a Dryness parameter allows application of a dry, sun-scorched effect across grass surfaces.

Installer Size Reduction and On-demand Content

The Twinmotion installer has been reduced in size by moving content to cloud storage. This change simplifies network deployment and makes distribution lighter. A new content-on-demand system allows users to download legacy content as needed. A Download icon in the Library categories lets users fetch entire categories. Content packs can also be downloaded from the Library packs tab of the Home panel. Epic now distinguishes between a Standard Library Pack, containing the full drag-and-drop asset collection, and a lighter Starter Library Pack for demos or quick installs.

Fog Cards

Twinmotion 2025.2 introduces Fog Cards into the VFX category. These are lightweight particle cards designed to add fog layers to a scene. Seventeen Fog Card assets are included. They can be scaled, tinted, and given emissive colours. A set of wind-reactive properties enables fog cards to move with global wind or at custom speed and direction. Fog cards can be combined with existing fog features, such as the global Ambience > Env > Fog or smaller fog banks in Library > Objects > VFX > Fog.

Camera Synchronisation

Twinmotion 2025.2 adds Camera Synchronisation with DCC applications. Through Direct Link or Datasmith imports, both active viewport cameras and saved DCC camera views can be aligned with the Twinmotion viewport camera. A new Camera Sync icon appears in the viewport when a Direct Link or Datasmith connection is active. This opens a user interface with options to enable or disable sync, and to select which DCC view to synchronise.

Static Motion Blur

A new Static Motion Blur system is included. Two tools, Linear Blur and Circular Blur, are available in the Tools > Static motion blur section of the Library.

When a static mesh is made a child of one of these tools in the Scene graph, the chosen blur effect is applied. This allows simulation of motion in still renders, such as wheel rotation on a static vehicle or directional blur on crowds.

Virtual Camera (VCam)

Twinmotion 2025.2 connects with the Unreal VCam app on Android and iOS. This allows a handheld device to control a live camera in Twinmotion scenes. The system supports placement of live cameras and real-time control of focal length, focus, exposure, and navigation settings. Streaming quality can be configured in the Preferences panel.

Exploder

The update introduces Exploder as a new type of Animator tool. Exploders create exploded view animations by separating the parts of an object in space and optionally reassembling them. Exploder Animators include a Shape parameter (sphere, cylinder, or plane) to define movement direction. Per-object settings for Timing and Origin allow staggered offsets and pivot controls. Exploders affect only their direct children in the Scene graph. The Library includes Exploder tool presets, such as Gentle Push, Deconstruct, Inflate, Ring Peel, Pressurize, Plan Split, and Stack Reassemble. These presets can be customised and saved as new versions.

Static and Real-time Animations in Images and Panoramas

Twinmotion 2025.2 introduces a global Static / Real time animation toggle for images and panoramas. This allows creators to pause animations at a specific frame when rendering stills or panoramas, rather than being restricted to real-time playback.

Sony Spatial Reality Display Support

Configuration triggers are now supported on the Sony Spatial Reality Display (SRD). This enables switching between configuration states directly on the SRD device.

Custom LUT Support

Twinmotion 2025.2 adds support for custom LUTs (lookup tables) in .cube format. LUTs can be imported into the new LUT category under the FX tab of the Ambience panel.

Users can apply LUTs from libraries or create them externally in image editing software such as Photoshop.

Advanced Post-process Effects

The FX tab filter system has been redesigned. Filters are now grouped under an Effects category with new settings for sketch-style visuals. Options include hatching, Kuwahara filtering, and pen-style outlines. Parameters are fully exposed, allowing customisation and saving of filter presets.

Conclusion

Twinmotion 2025.2 is a major release, expanding across geometry handling, materials, animation, post-processing, and interoperability. With features such as Nanite integration, Parallax Windows, Fog Cards, Exploder Animators, VCam support, custom LUTs, and mesh tessellation, this update covers both headline capabilities and smaller workflow refinements. Studios should review these features against their production needs before integrating them into pipelines.

The post Nanite marches in: Twinmotion 2025.2 update first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Jürgen Firsching.

Epic Games has unveiled Twinmotion 2025.1, a significant update that enhances real-time rendering capabilities for professionals across architecture, automotive, product design, and filmmaking. This release focuses on delivering advanced atmospheric effects, improved lighting tools, and refined rendering techniques to elevate the quality and realism of visualizations.

Advanced Atmospheric Effects

A standout feature in Twinmotion 2025.1 is the introduction of volumetric clouds. This system enables users to incorporate dynamic, voxel-based cloud formations that interact realistically with environmental lighting. Users can customize cloud properties such as altitude, coverage, density, color, and puffiness, allowing for precise control over the atmospheric conditions in their scenes. These clouds are responsive to wind dynamics and cast accurate shadows, enhancing the depth and realism of outdoor visualizations. Several presets are available to expedite the setup process, and users can save custom configurations for future projects.

In addition to volumetric clouds, the update offers enhanced control over the dynamic sky system. New parameters for turbidity and atmospheric density allow users to simulate various weather conditions and times of day with greater accuracy. The sun’s color and temperature are now adjustable, providing the ability to replicate different lighting scenarios, from the warm hues of sunrise to the cool tones of an overcast day. The exponential height fog feature has also been improved, introducing sliders for height and color adjustments, as well as a reworked density control. These enhancements enable the creation of atmospheric effects such as ground fog or mist, adding layers of realism to scenes.

Enhanced Lighting Tools

Twinmotion 2025.1 introduces Projector Lights, a versatile lighting tool that allows users to project textures, including images and videos, onto surfaces within their scenes. This feature is particularly useful for simulating effects like patterned lighting through windows, dynamic signage, or the interplay of light and shadow in complex environments. By projecting caustic patterns, users can mimic the dappled light effects seen on surfaces beneath water bodies or through translucent materials, adding a sophisticated touch to visualizations.

Another significant enhancement is the support for Virtual Shadow Maps (VSM) in real-time rendering modes. VSM technology offers more accurate and consistent shadow rendering compared to traditional methods, closely aligning real-time shadows with those produced by path tracing. This advancement ensures that shadows behave predictably across different lighting conditions, contributing to the overall realism of the scene. While VSM provides performance benefits in most scenarios, users should note that it may be slower when rendering scenes with precipitation effects. Currently, this feature is available exclusively on Windows platforms.

Refined Rendering Techniques

The update brings substantial improvements to the rendering of orthographic views in both Standard and Lumen lighting modes. Previously, orthographic views lacked shadow support and included black outlines around objects, which could detract from the visual quality of technical illustrations. With Twinmotion 2025.1, orthographic views now support real-time shadows, and the undesired outlines have been removed. This enhancement enables professionals to produce high-quality plan and elevation views directly within the real-time engine, streamlining workflows and ensuring visual consistency across different representation modes.

Interactive Configurations

Addressing the need for dynamic presentations, Twinmotion 2025.1 introduces a Configurations toolset. This feature allows users to create interactive 3D presentations that showcase various design alternatives or product variations. By setting up trigger points within the scene, stakeholders can seamlessly switch between different configurations in Fullscreen mode or during local presentations of images, panoramas, videos, or sequences. This interactivity is invaluable for design reviews, client presentations, and real-time decision-making processes, offering a more engaging and informative experience.

https://cdn2.unrealengine.com/new-trees-in-twinmotion-2024-1-1-1920×1080-6ca8b55bac65.jpg

Conclusion

Twinmotion 2025.1 represents a significant leap forward in real-time rendering technology, providing professionals with advanced tools to create highly realistic and interactive visualizations. The integration of volumetric clouds, projector lights, virtual shadow maps, and enhanced orthographic rendering empowers users to achieve greater creative control and efficiency in their projects.

Note: Before integrating any new software into your workflow, it’s essential to assess its performance and compatibility with your existing systems.

The post Twinmotion 2025.1: Real-Time Rendering with Advanced Atmospheric and Lighting Features first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

In nuce: Epic Games and Autodesk have announced a strategic collaboration. The aim of this is to “accelerate immersive real-time experiences across all industries, starting with Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC)”. The first step in this direction is free access to Twinmotion for Revit customers. Autodesk Revit is software aimed at architects, building services engineers and structural engineers. Twinmotion is a real-time software for architectural visualisation (Digital Production reported on the release of Twinmotion 2021.1 on 12.07.2021).

Epic and Autodesk join forces to accelerate real-time experiences

In toto: The self-promotion also states that the recently released version of Twinmotion enables the rendering of (moving) images with resolutions of up to 64K. It also states that the latest version of Twinmotion includes a new integration with the Sketchfab modelling platform (Digital Production reported on this on 23.07.2021 , when Sketchfab was acquired by Epic Games). Thanks to the Twinmotion Importer plugin, it should be easy for users to transfer assets from Twinmotion to the Unreal Engine. The self-description goes on to say that the aim is to improve workflows for creative professionals by removing barriers between software solutions. In the future, it is planned to extend the strategic collaboration to the media and entertainment (M&E) sector.

Sources: Blog entry on unrealengine.com, announcement on epicgames.com, news on gamesmarkt.de

The post Epic Games and Autodesk move closer together first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Patrick Poti.

Epic Games has expanded its suite of Unreal Engine 4 tools with the acquisition of Twinmotion from developer Abvent. With Twinmotion, architects and landscape architects can optimise their 3D models in real time and prepare them for presentations. Material surfaces can be changed and various visual effects can be tested. Models can be displayed at any time of day or night throughout the year – in sunshine as well as in rain and snow. Twinmotion can also be used to create animated groups of people, animals, plants and vehicles.

Epic is offering Twinmotion free of charge until November.

To the download

The post Visualisation: Twinmotion currently available free of charge first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.