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Update
372 posts
Fridays for Fusion: Power Renamer 25
Power Renamer 25 batch-renames Fusion media, updates node paths and provides conflict warnings, history and its own undo system.
Blender LTS patches, still no surprises
Blender 4.5.6 LTS and 4.2.17 LTS deliver bug fixes only, confirming Blender’s long term support policy for production use.
Ribbon Rules: Substance Painter 11.1 goes Vulkan
11.1 trades OpenGL for Vulkan and adds a precise Ribbon tool, symmetry for fill layers, physical-size displacement, and 75 new presets.
Arnold 7.4.4: better hair, bloom & light-sampling
Autodesk’s Arnold 7.4.4 lifts hair realism, adds aperture-bloom modes and speeds global-light sampling. Worth a test in your next render?
Moho 14.4 Goes on a Side Quest: 2D Meets Game Engines
Lost Marble’s Moho 14.4 “Side Quest” links 2D animation with game engines via glTF export, plus Smart Bones in 360°, smarter particles, and smoother strokes.
Open-Source Engine O3DE Hits Version 25.10
O3DE 25.10 trims installers, builds faster, supports C++20, and upgrades robotics Gems — a solid, practical update for technical artists.
Wrap 2025.9 and Wrap4D 2025.9: Faceform updates
Wrap 2025.9 and Wrap4D 2025.9: fewer crashes, faster project loading, UV previews, and the ability to convert normal maps.
Topaz drops perpetual licences, bets on subscriptions with Studio launch
erpetual licences die 3 October. Topaz goes subscription-only with Studio bundle, 100+ AI models, and higher recurring prices.
Photoshop 26.11: Firefly hops in, CJK text sharpens up
Firefly jumps into Photoshop, CJK text looks less like pixel soup. New update, same question: stable enough for production?
Kyno Update: Still Alive, Still Useful
Kyno 1.9 isn’t new magic, but it proves the beloved media tool still lives. Apple Silicon, new RAW SDKs, proxy presets—IBC chat to follow.
Ornatrix V9 for 3ds Max: Paint, Plait, Perform
Ornatrix V9 brings hair painting, braiding, SIMD viewport speed, Alembic export and modifier tweaks, grooming artists get the full treatment.
Howler 2026 lands: AI inpainting, Confetti particles and four-track audio for under $33
Howler 2026 reinvents the quirky painting app with AI image tools, particle effects and multitrack audio—and it’s still just $32.99.
After Effects 25.4 Lands in August: HDR Metadata, Text-Format Paste, and Layer Staggering
Adobe After Effects 25.4 introduces Quick Offset, Paste Text Formatting Only, and HDR CICP metadata support.
Zen UV 5.0: Unwrapping the Future of UV Mapping in Blender
Zen UV 5.0 introduces the Touch Tool, Auto Unwrap, Zen Sync, and full support for Blender 4.4, enhancing UV mapping workflows.
Plasticity 25.1: Slicing Through Models and Streamlining Workflows
Plasticity 25.1 introduces new commands and a revamped UI to enhance surface modeling workflows.
Adobe’s Substance 3D Sampler 5.0: Now with Path Tracing
Adobe's Substance 3D Sampler 5.0 introduces AI-powered 3D material creation and photogrammetry.
Arnold 7.3.7.0: Casting Light on Glass and Gloss
Autodesk's Arnold 7.3.7.0 introduces enhanced glass shadows, improved global light sampling, and faster scene updates.
Blender 4.4 Beta Makes a Splash
Blender 4.4 enters beta, introducing Slotted Actions for animation, an overhauled Glare node in the Compositor, and updates to Grease Pencil and Geometry Nodes.
Substance 3D Modeler 1.19: Hollow Shells and Asset Management
Adobe's latest update introduces Project Assets workflow, Shell parameter for primitives, adaptive subdivision, and VR camera preview enhancements. Also: The "Substance 3D Asset Library" is now fully available for all Subscribers without any limits.
20 New Presets for Tiny Eye 1.3: Eyes Wide Open
Tiny Eye 1.3 receives 20 new presets, adding more versatility to this real-time graphics tool for VFX and CGI. Check the update before diving into production!
GIMP 3.0 Finally Lands: Has the Free Editor Aged Like Wine?
GIMP 3.0 arrives after two decades, bringing long-awaited UI updates, non-destructive editing, and multi-platform support.
LayerPainter Update Enhances Painting Workflow in Blender
The LayerPainter add-on for Blender gets updated with improved UI, new features for texture painting, and added functionality for VFX workflows.
Population V2 Add-on for Blender Enhances Crowd Simulation
The lightweight Blender add-on Population introduces updates for faster, more flexible crowd simulations tailored for VFX and animation workflows.
Blender 4.3: Updates for Animation, VFX, and Rendering
Blender 4.3 introduces light linking, a Metallic BSDF node, F82 Tint, enhanced compositing features, and updates for geometry nodes and simulations.
Substance 3D Modeler released! v1.15: New VR Feature
Adobe’s Substance 3D Modeler v1.15 brings VR sculpting enhancements and improved stability for 3D artists.
LumaFusion 5: New features for mobile video editing
The latest LumaFusion update brings important functions such as speed ramping and improved keyframing
Blender: An upgrade for our particle system – We lay pipes!
In issue 23:04|05 we learnt how to create a particle system with the new Simulation Nodes in Blender 3.6. In Blender 4.0, an interesting new function has been added that allows us to connect a series of points via curves. That would be a nice feature upgrade for our custom build. In addition, Cycles can now do light linking, which allows us to set the scene perfectly.
A new element is here!
Element, our favourite 3D asset manager, is entering its second version - now with infinite scroll, duplicate detector and the long-awaited assignment of textures and maps to geometry within the manager!
Adobe-Autumn-Update
Premiere, AE and Firefly get the IBC polish with new features and tools - 3D rooms, new tone mapping, auto-rotoscoping and Firefly is now commercially available!
Blender 3.5, Wuhu!
Hey you, are you ready for the latest update of Blender? With Blender 3.5, the Blender Foundation brings an improved hair system and built-in hair assets, support for vector displacement maps, a viewport compositor and a new timing mode for Grease Pencil, improvements to the Pose Library and much more.
Unreal Engine 5.2 Preview is now available!
Hey you, have you heard? Epic Games gave the first look at Unreal Engine 5.2 during the GDC 2023 keynote session.
Lightworks 2023
In line with the story in the new issue (LWKS QScan), Lightworks is releasing a new version of the NLE.
Latest version of the story development tool released!
Flix 6.5 has been released. The story development software from The Foundry now also supports Apple Silicon processors - and the VFX Reference Platform 2022.
New payment model introduced for the Nuke product family!
Perpetual licences will continue to be offered until the end of the year. New customers use annual subscriptions.
The Foundry releases Katana 6.0!
The software for look development and lighting is getting an update - and should further speed up workflows.
The Foundry releases Mari 6.0!
The software for drawing 3D textures has been released in version 6.0 and Charli Holt, Product Manager for Mari, is proud of the many USD-related improvements.
Mari 6.0 now available as an open alpha
The Foundry's 3D texture software is approaching version 6. Flagship features include: enhanced compatibility with the VFX reference platform CY 2022 and an improved USD workflow.
Modo 16 released!
The Foundry releases the first Modo of the 16 series! Also: Version 16.1 will follow this year. Save money: Modo users can now get NPR 2 Kit for free.
Nuke 13.2 released!
The final release of the Nuke 13 product line: NewTek Network Device Interface (NDI), OpenTimelineIO (OTIO), Machine Learning - but is Nuke ready for Unreal Engine 5?
Foundry 2021 Showreel
Foundry's two-minute 2021 reel collects VFX and animation work from major films, series, studios and commercial campaigns.
Modo 10.1: Procedural Modelling and pFusion
A detailed look at Modo 10.1's procedural modelling stack, mesh and selection operations, curve tools, game workflows and the early pFusion extension for MeshFusion.
Nuke 13.1 | Release
Nuclear, Nuclear - Nuke? That's for sure! 3D manipulators, 3D hotkeys and other hot feature delights!
Mari 5.0 Improves Brushes and USD
Foundry Mari 5.0 updates its brush engine, Bake Points, flattening performance, USD previews, Hydra viewports and OCIO support.
Nuke 13.1 | Release
In beta: The compositing triple around Nuke, NukeX and Nuke Studio - test it now!
Mari 5.0 Beta Adds USD and Python 3.7
Foundry's Mari 5.0 beta introduced Python 3.7, initial USD workflows, a new shader, multicolour brush splats, bake-point filters and node-graph snapping.
3DCoat 2021.53 Adds RGB Cavity and Smart Material Improvements
Pilgway's 3DCoat 2021.53 update introduced RGB Cavity, reworked Smart Materials, Pose tool improvements and fixes for partial voxelisation.
Autodesk Maya 2022.2 Updates Solidify, USD and Bifrost
Maya 2022.2 added Solidify scaling, file-list and Script Editor improvements, plus stability and workflow updates for USD and Bifrost.
Polygonflow Ectotope Brings Node-Based Object Scattering to Maya
Polygonflow released Ectotope, a node-based object-scattering tool for Maya distributed through the GraphN visual programming library.
Premiere listens – and types!
New functions and tools are added with every Creative Cloud update. In the last major update for Premiere, there was an entire subsection - transcribing. But how exactly does it work? (Including self-test and prize draw)
Adobe Announces US$1.275 Billion Acquisition of Frame.io
Adobe agreed to acquire camera-to-cloud collaboration platform Frame.io for US$1.275 billion, with completion expected in its fourth fiscal quarter of 2021.
3ds Max 2022 Update 1 | Feature Preview
Autodesk provides a sneak peek: Users can look forward to these announced functions.
Adobe Offered 20% Off Selected Creative Applications
Adobe offered a limited-time 20% discount on selected Creative Cloud applications including Premiere Pro, After Effects and Audition.
Modo 15 Reworks MeshFusion and Animation
Foundry’s Modo 15 overhauls MeshFusion booleans and the animation editor, with viewport depth of field, mPath interaction and Python 3.
Nuke 13 | Release
Features with a nuclear punch? Machine learning, Hydra 3D viewport renderer and more.
Foundry Live 2021 Covers Look Development and Pipelines
Foundry Live schedules virtual sessions on look development, lighting, interoperability, software integration and VFX education.
Katana 3.0 Revisited: Hydra and 3Delight Integration
A detailed look back at Katana 3.0, including its Hydra viewport, integrated 3Delight renderer and improvements to lighting workflows.
Poser 12 Adds GPU Ray Tracing and Render Denoising
Poser 12 updates the SuperFly renderer with Nvidia GPU ray tracing, Intel Open Image Denoise and a revised material-management system.
U-Render 2021.1.3 Expands Smart Material Presets
U-Render 2021.1.3 expands smart material presets, fixes live-mode previews and strengthens its Cinema 4D integration.
Fusion Studio 17.1 | Release
Chillaxt and stylish: with Blackmagic's update for the compositing software.
Mari 4.7 Adds Procedural Masks and Material Workflow Improvements
Foundry’s Mari 4.7 focuses on collaboration, procedural masks, a redesigned Shelf palette and easier layered-material authoring.
Maya 2020.4 Delivers Major Bifrost and Arnold 6.1 Updates
Maya 2020.4 expands Bifrost with curve support, fields and scattering, while Arnold 6.1 adds imagers and nested dielectrics.
Foundry Completes the Modo 14 Series
Modo 14.2 completed Foundry’s Modo 14 series with USD support, Rig Clay, MeshFusion tools, viewport upgrades and major performance gains.
Foundry Releases Katana 4.0
Katana 4.0 introduces Foresight rendering, artist-focused lighting tools and an updated Hydra bridge for USD workflows.
ZBrush 2021.1.2 Improves Tablet Support
ZBrush 2021.1.2 improves Windows tablet sculpting and delivers stability and workflow fixes across TransposeCloth, Gizmo3D and ZSketch.
RenderStacks 1.06 Adds Six Modifiers
RenderStacks 1.06 adds RenderOutput and FStorm overscan support plus six modifiers for visibility, layers, Corona and Royal Render.
Blackmagic Video-Assistent | Firmware 3.2.3
Good stuff from Blackmagic. 3.2.3 supports 119.88fps and 100fps on Sigma fp - and more.
3ds Max 2021.2 Improves Materials and Selection
Autodesk 3ds Max 2021.2 improved Material Editor performance, selection workflows, splines, fluids loading and modifiers.
RealityCapture 1.1 Adds AI Terrain Classification
RealityCapture 1.1 added AI terrain classification, LOD export to Cesium ion and Leica BLK3D ImageGroup import.
Red Giant Universe 3.3 Adds Quantum and Modes
Universe 3.3 introduced Quantum and Modes, updated four effects and added more than 100 presets for editors and motion designers.
Mari 4.6v4 Improves Bake Points and Node Graphs
Foundry’s Mari 4.6v4 added limited patch ranges, local-space transforms, node-graph UX improvements and updated baking.
Bifrost 2.1 Adds Point-Cloud Queries and Raycasting
Bifrost 2.1 introduced rapid point-cloud lookups, nearest-neighbour searches, raycasting and improved mesh file I/O.
Bforartists 2 Reworks Blender’s User Interface
Bforartists 2 introduced a streamlined keymap, reorganised interface, configurable icon toolbar and revised tooltips.
ARRI Stellar 2 Expands Wireless Lighting Control
ARRI Stellar 2 added third-party DMX fixtures, fixture replacement, colour-temperature grouping and improved network handling.
Ptolemee 6.0 Adds Environment Backdrops and Cubemaps
Ptolemee 6.0 added environment backdrops, cubemaps, improved file browsing and new tessellation, displacement and tiling controls.
Unity 2021 Roadmap Prioritises Graphics, Multiplayer and Visual Scripting
Unity’s 2021 roadmap focused on production-ready graphics, multiplayer networking and visual-scripting workflows.
FJ Tools 1.5 Expands ZBrush Renaming and Polypaint Workflows
FJ Tools 1.5 added revised renaming, new mesh generators, ID-colour creation and Polygroup colouring and shuffling.
Imerge Pro 7 Adds RAW Layers, Focus Stacking and HDR Merge
FXhome Imerge Pro 7 introduced non-destructive editing, chroma keying, RAW layers, focus stacking, HDR merging and reusable presets.
Multiverse USD 6.5 Adds Maya Auto-Sync and Redshift Support
J Cube Multiverse USD 6.5 added procedural USD import with Maya auto-sync, Redshift rendering and a Hydra path-tracing viewport.
Texture Set Mixer Packs Texture Maps for Real-Time Engines
John Martini’s Texture Set Mixer grouped maps, packed bitmap channels, combined alpha images and automated batch processing.
Foundry Previews Katana 4.0
Katana 4.0 previews artist-facing lighting, TML controls, interactive network rendering and Hydra Viewer improvements.
Verge3D 3.3 Speeds Web Loading
Verge3D 3.3 accelerates loading, exports glTF from real-time apps, supports 3ds Max OSL shaders and reads WooCommerce properties.
MeshMolder 2020 Released
MeshMolder 2020 added shape-based selection, improved booleans, back-face filtering and fixes for undo and redo.
Redshift Metal and RT Previewed
Maxon previewed Redshift on Apple's Metal API and the experimental Redshift RT hybrid renderer during its 2020 online show.
Cinema 4D: Project Neutron announced
Redshift 3.0, Trapcode and Project Neutron: Proceduralism is coming to Cinema 4D, Redshift Realtime and much more!
Modo 14.1 Expands Modelling Tools
Modo 14.1 added Polygon Bevel Auto Weld, USD import, viewport improvements, a PBR Loader and IK/FK switching updates.
Substance Painter 2020.2 Adds UDIMs
Substance Painter 2020.2 introduced cross-tile painting, UV-tile masking and baking, faster exports and smaller projects.
ZBrush 2021 Previews Cloth Dynamics
ZBrush 2021 previewed cloth simulation, interactive cloth brushes, MicroPoly, FiberMesh dynamics and Dynamic Thickness.
3DF Zephyr 5 Dragonfruit Released
3DF Zephyr 5 accelerated large photogrammetry datasets, added out-of-core meshing, sharper reconstruction and new workflow tools.
Storyboarder 2.0 Expands Shot Planning
Storyboarder 2.0 rebuilt its Shot Generator and added camera exploration, IK posing, orbit controls and multiuser VR.
Blender 2.83 with long-term support
It's time for the next round: The new Blender version 2.83 comes for the first time with long-term support (LTS) labelling and exciting new features.
Kyno 1.8 Adds Resolve and Avid Handoffs
Kyno 1.8 added Resolve send-to, Media Composer ALE export, BRAW playback, incremental transcoding and faster analysis.
V-Ray 5 LightMix Relights Finished Renders
V-Ray 5 beta added LightMix and VFB layer compositing so artists could change light colour and intensity after rendering.
Sony Previewed FX9 2.0 and Venice 6.0
Sony’s 2020 roadmap added 16-bit RAW and 4K 60p to FX9, while Venice 6.0 expanded HFR, looks, frame lines and metadata.
Inkscape 1.0 Reaches Production Release
Inkscape 1.0 adds live path effects, canvas modes, PDF export improvements, HiDPI support and faster editing of node-heavy artwork.
Maxon NAB Rewind Sessions Online
Maxon's 2020 NAB replacement stream covered Cinema 4D S22, Red Giant, Redshift, After Effects, motion design and production breakdowns.
V-Ray 5 Beta Adds Light Mix
The V-Ray 5 public beta for 3ds Max added layered Frame Buffer compositing, a 500-material library, Light Mix, coat and sheen layers.
NewTek: LightWave 2020
NewTek releases LightWave 2020 with various new shading and rendering features and more.