Epic Games has released Unreal Engine 5.5, featuring major enhancements to animation authoring, rendering, virtual production, mobile game development, and developer iteration toolsets.Here are some highlights: Animation - UE 5.5 new features and enhancements facilitate high-fidelity in-editor animation authoring workflows. There are also additions to the animation gameplay authoring toolset.Sequencer - Unreal Engines nonlinear animation editor now boasts a more controllable interface with better filtering and easier access to properties.Animation deformers Users can craft more realistic animation effects such as contact deformation or better cartoon-style squash-and-stretch, with the new ability to author animatable animation deformers inside Control Rig and easily apply them to characters in Sequencer with a single click.Modular Control Rig - Modular Control Rig moves to Beta with UI and UX improvements; new quadruped and vehicles modules; and support for common bipedal skeleton types, while the Skeletal Editor is now Production-Ready with improvements that include quicker and simpler workflows for painting and editing weights. MetaHuman Animator - Part of the MetaHuman Plugin for Unreal Engine, MetaHuman Animators upgrades include an Experimental feature, allowing users to generate high-quality facial animationincluding inference of upper face gesturesjust from audio performances.Mutable character customization - Game developers whose projects require content that changes dynamically at runtime will benefit from the addition of the Mutable character customization system. The system can be used to generate dynamic skeletal meshes, materials, and textures for characters, animals, props, and weapons while optimizing memory usage, keeping shader cost low, and reducing the draw call count.Choosers Now production-ready Choosers offers a framework for selecting animations for playback based on game context without having to write complex logic, this game context asset selector can be used to select nearly any type of asset; this can encompass multiple levels of complexity, from simple random selectors to database-driven logic involving thousands of animations. Lumen - Now runs at 60 Hz on platforms with supported hardware due to improvements to the systems that underpin hardware ray tracing (HWRT). These improvements also impact the performance and capabilities of Path Tracer and light baking.Path Tracer - The DXR-accelerated, physically accurate progressive rendering mode is now production-ready, for creating final pixels for nonlinear applications or fully featured ground-truth reference images. This release sees a series of performance and fidelity improvements, Linux support, and support for all other Production-Ready features, including sky atmosphere and volumetric clouds. Substrate - The material authoring framework introduced as Experimental in Unreal Engine 5.2, moves to Beta. All features of legacy materials are now supported, as are all platforms to which UE deploys.Movie Render Graph (MRG) - Introduced as Experimental in Unreal Engine 5.4, Movie Render Graph (MRG) moves to Beta in this release, with further investment in the graph-based configuration workflow.MegaLights - This release offers a sneak peek at an Experimental new feature being called MegaLights. Already being dubbed the Nanite of lights, MegaLights enables users to add hundreds of dynamic shadow-casting lights to scenes, without constraints. Lighting artists, for the first time, can freely use textured area lights with soft shadows, Light Functions, media texture playback, and volumetric shadows on consoles and PC, focusing on artistic considerations rather than performance impact. Virtual production - Unreal Engines dedicated in-camera visual effects (ICVFX) toolset powers a myriad of productions in film, television, and commercials internationally. UE 5.5 sees the accumulated investment across multiple releases bringing the ICVFX toolset to full production-readiness, as well as advances in other features for virtual production and visualization.SMPTE 2110 - Unreal Engines support for SMPTE 2110 includes numerous stability improvements; automatic detection and repair of framelock loss; the ability to use PTP as a timecode provider; OCIO support for 2110 media; and other improvements to IP video signal flow, its ready to meet the needs of the real-world ICVFX projects as they make the transition to SMPTE 2110 deployments.Camera Calibration - Production-Ready with UE 5.5 is the Camera Calibration solver, with improved accuracy for lens and camera parameters estimation. Stemming from this work, Overscan is now built into all cameras, to support use cases like rendering with lens distortion or adding camera shake in post.Virtual Scouting Production-ready updated Virtual Scouting toolset introduced in UE 5.4, offers an out-of-the-box experience using OpenXR-compatible HMDs (with Oculus and Valve Index supported by default), and new opportunities for customization via an extensive API. The toolset now features a new VR Content Browser and asset placement; a Transform Gizmo that is customizable via Blueprint; and further polish, including a color-correct Viewfinder.Color Grading Panel - Previously part of the ICVFX Editor, the Color Grading Panel is now available for general use in the Unreal Editor, providing an artist-friendly interface for creative color manipulation in any Unreal Engine scene. The panel now also supports post-process volumes, cine cameras, and color correction regions.DMX - With applicability not just within virtual production, but also in broadcast and live events, Unreal Engines DMX tech stack joins the list of Production-Ready toolsets, with enhancements to the Control Console, Pixel Mapping, and Conflict Monitor.This release also adds GDTF compliance to the DMX Plugin for interfacing with GDTF- and MVR-enabled control devices and software, among other enhancements.Mobile game development:Mobile Forward Renderers new features increase visual fidelity on the platform and now supports D-buffer decals, rectangular area lights, capsule shadows, moveable IES textures for point and spotlights, volumetric fog, and Niagara particle lights. Screen-space reflections now work in both Mobile Forward and Deferred Renderers.Mobile Previewers improvements help with content development for mobile games including the ability to capture and preview a specific Android device profile, and to emulate half-precision 16-bit float shaders, making it easier to detect and deal with artifacts.Visit the Unreal Engine blog for more detailed information.Source: Epic Games Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.

Breakdown & ShowreelsDeadpool & Wolverine: Opening Sequence VFX Breakdown by FramestoreBy Vincent Frei - 12/11/2024 The opening of Deadpool & Wolverine isnt just an action scene; its a VFX-fueled adrenaline rush! Thanks to the teams of Framestore, every second is a blend of chaos, comedy, and spectacular visuals that will leave you speechless. Ready to get your senses kicked into overdrive?WANT TO KNOW MORE?Framestore: Dedicated page about Deadpool & Wolverine on Framestore website.Matthew Twyford: Heres my interview of Matthew Twyford, VFX Supervisor at Framestore.Swen Gillberg & Lisa Marra: Heres my interview of Production VFX Supervisor Swen Gillberg and Production VFX Producer Lisa Marra. Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2024

Breakdown & ShowreelsHalo Season 2: VFX Breakdown by El RanchitoBy Vincent Frei - 12/11/2024 Step into the heart of the action with the second season of Halo! The visual effects made by El Ranchito bring the heat of battle to life, as Master Chief takes on relentless enemies in epic combat sequences!WANT TO KNOW MORE?El Ranchito: Dedicated page about Halo: Season 2 on El Ranchito website.WATCH IT ON Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2024

Adeles recent concert residency, Adele in Munich, wasnt just a live performance; it was a groundbreaking display of technology and design. Held at the custom-built Adele Arena at Munich Messe, this ten-date residency captivated audiences with both the music and an unprecedented visual experience. We spoke to Emily Malone, Head of Live Events and Peter Kirkup, Innovation Director at Disguise, about how it was done.Malone and Kirkup explained how their respective teams collaborated closely with Adeles creative directors to ensure a seamless blend of visuals, music, and live performance.Malone explained the process: The aim was not to go out and set a world record it was to build an incredible experience that allowed Adeles fans to experience the concert in quite a unique way. We wanted to make the visuals feel as intimate and immersive as Adeles voice. To achieve this, the team used a combination of custom-engineered hardware and Disguises proprietary software, ensuring the visuals felt like an extension of Adeles performance rather than a distraction from it.The Adele Arena wasnt your typical concert venue. Purpose-built for Adeles residency, the arena included a massive outdoor stage setup designed to accommodate one of the worlds largest LED media walls. The towering display, which dominated the arenas backdrop, set a new benchmark for outdoor live visuals, allowing Adeles artistry to be amplified on a scale rarely seen in live music.Adeles recent Munich residency played host to more than 730,000 fans from all over the world, reportedly the highest turnout for any concert residency outside Las Vegas. We are proud to have played an essential role in making these concerts such an immersive, personal and unforgettable experience for Adeles fans, says Emily Malone, Head of Live Events at Disguise.Thanks to Disguise, Adele played to the crowd with a curved LED wall spanning 244 meters, approximately the length of two American football fields. The LED installation was covered with 4,625 square meters of ROE Carbon 5 Mark II (CB5 MKII) in both concave and convex configurations. As a result, it earned the new Guinness World Record title for the Largest Continuous Outdoor LED Screen. The lightweight and durable design of the CB5 MKII made the installation possible. At the same time, its 6000-nit brightness and efficient heat dissipation ensured brilliant, vibrant visuals throughout the whole duration of the outdoor performance.With over 20 years of experience powering live productions, Disguise technology has done an enormous variety of outdoor performances and concerts. For Adeles Munich residency, Disguises team implemented advanced weatherproofing measures and redundant power systems to ensure reliability. Using Disguises real-time rendering technology, the team was able to adapt and tweak visuals instantly, even during Adeles live performances, ensuring a truly immersive experience for the audience.Adele in Munichtook place over 10 nights in a bespoke, 80,000-capacity stadium. This major event called for an epic stage production. Having supported Adeles live shows before, Disguise helped create, sync, and display visuals on a 4,160-square-metre LED wall assembled to look like a strip of folding film.Kirkup was part of the early consultation for the project, especially regarding the feasibility of the project and the deliverability of the original idea for the vast LED screens. There was a lot of discussion about pixel pitch and fidelity, especially as there was an additional smaller screen right behind the central area where Adele would stand. The question was raised if this should be the same LED products as the vast main screen or something more dense; in the end, they landed on using the same LEDs for the best contiguous audience experience, he explained.The Munich residency was unique; there was no template for the team, but their technology scaled to the task. The actual implementation went incredibly smoothly, explains Malone. There was so much pre-production, every detail was thought about so much by all the collaborators on the project. As there was so little time to get the stage and LEDs built on site, it was all extensively pre-tested before the final shipping. It would be so hard to fault find on location- I mean, it took me 15 minutes just to walk to the other end of the LED wall, and lord forbid if you forgot your radio or that one cable and you had to walk back for anything!The 2-hour concerts generated 530 million euros for the city of Munich throughout the ten shows from the concert attendance, with each night having a stadium capacity of 80,000 fans. 8 x Disguise GX3 servers were used to drive the LED wall, and 18 x Disguise SDI VFC cards were required. There was a total pixel count of 37,425,856 being driven, split over 3 actors.Actor 1: Left 7748 x 1560Actor 2: Centre 2912 x 936 + scrolls and infill 5720 x 1568 + lift 3744 x 416Actor 3: Right 7748 x 1560Disguises Designer software was used to preview visuals before going on stage and to control them during the show, which was sequenced to timecode. Given the nature of the live event, there was a main and backup system for full 1:1 redundancy. The footage from Adele singing was shot 4K with Grass Valley cameras. With a live performance, there is a degree of unpredictability, with live shows, says Malone. There was a tight set list of songs which did not change from night to night, all triggered by timecode, but structures were built in so that Adele wanted to speak to the audience or do something special on any night, they could get her closeup face on screen very quickly. Additionally, there is a major requirement to be able to take over the screens at a moments notice for safety messages should something completely unexpected happen. In reality, the screens serve many functions; it is there so the audience can see the artist they are there for, but also it is their safety, for the venue, for the suppliers.This was the first time Adele has played mainland Europe since 2016, and the 36-year-old London singer signed off her final Munich show, warning fans, I will not see you for a long time. Adele, who last released the album 30 in 2021, is set to conclude her shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace this month and then is not expected to tour again soon. Both the Vegas and Munich residencies give the singer a high level of creative and logistical control compared with normal live touring a luxury option only available to entertainments biggest stars. Such residences also allow for the investment in such bespoke technical installations. The Munich LED stage would simply not be viable to take on a world tour, both due to its size and how it was crafted explicitly for the German location.Disguise is at the heart of this new era of visual outdoor experiences, where one powerful integrated system of software, hardware and services can help create the next dimension of real-time concert. They have partnered with the biggest entertainment brands and companies in the world such as Disney, Snapchat, Netflix, ESPN, U2 at the Sphere, the Burj Khalifa, and Beyonce.Thanks to the massive technical team; for Adeles fans, Adele in Munich was more than a concertit was an immersive experience, seamlessly blending state-of-the-art visuals with world-class music.

This week, the team discusses the visual effects of the HBOs limited series The Penguin from The Batman by director Matt Reeves.The Penguin is a miniseries developed by Lauren LeFranc for HBO. It is based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The series is a spin-off from The Batman (2022) and explores Oz Cobbs rise to power in Gotham Citys criminal underworld immediately after the events of that film.Colin Farrell stars as Oz, reprising his role from The Batman. He is joined by Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Deirdre OConnell, Clancy Brown, Carmen Ejogo, and Michael Zegen. Join the team as they discuss the complex plot, effects and visual language of this highly successful mini-series.The Penguin premiered on HBO on September 19, 2024, with eight episodes. The series has received critical acclaim for its performances, writing, direction, tone, and production values.The VFX are made by: Accenture Song, Anibrain, FixFX, FrostFX, Lekker VFX and PixomondoThe Production VFX Supervisor was Johnny Han, who also served as 2nd Unit Director. Johnny Han is a twice Emmy nominated and Oscar shortlisted artist and supervisor.The Supervillains this week are:Matt Bane Wallin * @mattwallin www.mattwallin.com.Follow Matt on Mastodon: @[emailprotected]Jason Two Face Diamond @jasondiamond www.thediamondbros.comMike Mr Freeze Seymour @mikeseymour. www.fxguide.com. + @mikeseymourSpecial thanks to Matt Wallin for the editing & production of the show with help from Jim Shen.

There are multiple ways to convert color to black-and-white image in Blender, and some are more perceptually correct than other (yet theres no truth).AgX, Filmic & Creative LUTs for DaVinci Resolve (Free)The post Use This Trick to Convert to Black and White in Blender appeared first on Creative Shrimp.

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US-based 3D printer manufacturer 3D Systems will be launching a range of 3D printing technologies and materials at this years Formnext tradeshow.Aligned with scaling industrial 3D printing, key highlights include the high-speed PSLA 270 SLA system, purpose-built post-processing solutions like Wash 400/Wash 400F and Cure 400, and advanced materials such as Figure 4 Rigid Composite White and Accura AMX Rigid Composite White, all tailored to meet demanding industrial workflows.Recent expansions in Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and MultiJet Printing (MJP) materials, as well as a new powder management system for the DMP Flex 200 metal 3D printer, will also be showcased to emphasize efficiency and reduced production times for industrial applications. Attendees can explore these new offerings at 3D Systems booth in Hall 11.1, Booth D11.Our customers ingenuity fuels our innovation, explained Marty Johnson, vice president of product and technical fellow, 3D Systems. By collaborating closely with their engineering teams, were pushing the boundaries of additive manufacturing. To keep pace with their evolving needs, were constantly expanding our solution portfolio. Our latest additions, new accessories and materials, are prime examples of how customer-centric innovation can deliver a competitive edge.3D Systems PSLA 270 solution accelerates time to part for production applications. Image via 3D Systems.Post-processing solutions and rigid materials for enhanced productionAccording to 3D Systems, the PSLA 270 combines the speed and precision of projector-based SLA technology to deliver mid-sized, high-quality parts with consistent mechanical properties, suited for industrial workflows.Supporting the PSLA 270s capabilities, the Wash 400 and Wash 400F systems automate resin cleaning with Dirty and Clean washing workflows that allow users to choose between non-flammable and flammable detergents, such as IPA. Featuring a piston lift, these solutions simplify part handling while streamlining industrial operations.Additionally, the Cure 400 enhances UV curing with programmable settings, a 400 x 400 x 400 mm curing volume, and a rotating table for optimal shadow reduction, allowing compatibility with all 3D Systems SLA and Figure 4 platforms. Availability for these post-processing solutions is anticipated in early 2025.Expanding options for high-stiffness materials, Figure 4 Rigid Composite White and Accura AMX Rigid Composite White support applications such as wind tunnel testing, tools, and fixtures. With enhanced resistance to settling, these materials help minimize maintenance and boost printer uptime, offering smooth workflows and high-quality surface finishes. Distribution across Europe is expected by December 2024, followed by a global rollout in 2025.Advanced thermal control and broadened SLS and MJP material portfoliosFor high-yield, consistent production, the SLS 380 introduces advanced thermal control, incorporating eight calibrated heaters and a high-resolution infrared camera sampling at 100,000 times per second.This setup supports precise chamber conditions, ensuring a consistent build environment and reliable part quality. Paired with the SLS 380 are new materials such as DuraForm PA12 Black, DuraForm TPU 90A, DuraForm PA CF, DuraForm FR 106, and DuraForm PA 11 in both natural and black variations, all of which will be available starting December 2024.With the ProJet MJP 2500 Plus, new material options like VisiJet Armor Max and VisiJet M2P-CST Crystal bring ABS-like durability and intricate casting ability for complex prototyping and jewelry applications. Moreover,VisiJet M2P-CST Crystal offers fine detail and strength suitable for jewelry with detailed features, including rings, bracelets, and brooches.ProJet MJP 2500 Plus. Image via 3D Systems.Further optimizing the production process, the Delfin INVAC 3D powder management system, developed for the DMP Flex 200, enables safe, closed-loop metal powder recovery, especially valuable for applications in dental labs.Conference program and presentationsThroughout Formnext 2024, 3D Systems will host several sessions showcasing these advancements. Scheduled for November 20, QuickCast Air Enabling the Next Step Change in 3D Printed Investment Casting Pattern Efficiency will run from 10:15 to 10:30 a.m. on the Technology Stage in Hall 12.0.Later that morning, from 11:30 to 11:50 a.m., Realizing the Benefits of Decentralized Manufacturing of Highly Regulated Parts in the Energy Industry will be presented on the Application Stage in Hall 11.1. In the afternoon, PSLA 270: The Speed of Light-projection. The Quality and Reliability of SLA. will be presented from 2:30 to 2:45 p.m. on the Technology Stage in Hall 12.0.The following day, November 21, Model No. Redefines Sustainable High-End Furniture with Additive Manufacturing will take place from 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. on the Application Stage in Hall 11.1.These sessions provide insights into 3D Systems newest solutions and their applications across industries, from investment casting and regulated manufacturing to sustainable furniture production.Scaling industrial 3D printing with new solutionsIn the broader landscape of industrial 3D printing, other companies are also expanding capabilities. Chinese metal 3D printer manufacturer Eplus3D recently contributed to improving industrial 3D printing by introducing the EP-M4750, a high-efficiency metal 3D printer designed for large-scale batch production in sectors like aerospace, automotive, and tooling.Utilizing Metal Powder Bed Fusion (MPBF) technology, the EP-M4750 features a 450 x 750 x 530 mm build chamber and up to four 500 W lasers for fast throughput. The system supports various metals and includes an optimized gas flow, multi-stage filtration, and adaptive software, enabling flexible, high-strength part production suited for demanding industrial applications.Last month, Lynxter introduced the S300X FIL11 | FIL11, an industrial IDEX 3D printer for high-speed, dual-material printing, ahead of Formnext 2024. Built to handle thermoplastics, it reaches 10,000 mm/s acceleration, 24 mm/s extrusion with dual extruders, and supports complex, high-strength parts.Features include a 500C nozzle, a heated chamber, and an integrated dehydration unit for optimal print quality. Designed with a health-conscious filtration system, the S300X targets sectors needing robust, quality parts and can be pre-ordered in Europe.Catch up on all the news fromFormnext 2024.Voting is now open for the2024 3D Printing Industry Awards.Want to share insights on key industry trends and the future of 3D printing? Register now to be included in the2025 3D Printing Industry Executive Survey.What 3D printing trends do the industry leaders anticipate this year?What does the Future of 3D printing hold for the next 10 years?To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter or follow us on Twitter, or like our page on Facebook.While youre here, why not subscribe to our Youtube channel? Featuring discussion, debriefs, video shorts, and webinar replays.Featured image shows 3D Systems PSLA 270 solution, which accelerates time to part for production applications. Image via 3D Systems.Ada ShaikhnagWith a background in journalism, Ada has a keen interest in frontier technology and its application in the wider world. Ada reports on aspects of 3D printing ranging from aerospace and automotive to medical and dental.

Caracol, a developer of large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM) technologies, is set to introduce its latest innovation, Vipra AM, at Formnext 2024. Designed to address the rising demand for efficient, large-scale metal 3D printing, Vipra AM integrates robotic deposition technology with automation to facilitate the production of complex industrial components. Caracol aims for Vipra to set a new benchmark in large-format metal manufacturing, responding to the manufacturing sectors need for adaptable and sustainable solutions.Vipra AM employs Direct Energy Deposition with wire arc additive manufacturing, expanding the potential of LFAM. This proprietary platform, engineered for flexibility and control, comes in two distinct configurations. Vipra XQ (Extreme Quality) applies Plasma Arc Deposition to achieve high precision and strength, making it suitable for structural components in aerospace and energy sectors. Vipra XP (Extreme Productivity), built to maximize throughput, supports lightweight metals like aluminum and nickel, ideal for industries where rapid production and weight efficiency are essential, such as automotive and marine.Caracol Launches Vipra AM. Photo via Caracol.Francesco De Stefano, Caracols CEO, explains, Our focus has been to combine application-driven approaches with advanced technologies that support the production of large-scale, complex parts. Caracols years of experience with polymer-based LFAM have culminated in Vipra AM, an integrated system that combines monitoring, automation, and material versatility.Engineered to complement existing manufacturing workflows, Vipra AM enables hybrid production models that incorporate traditional methods alongside advanced metal deposition. This approach aims to reduce material waste, shorten lead times, and increase operational efficiency without requiring complete retooling of production lines. Gianrocco Marinelli, Caracols Director of Metal Additive Manufacturing, notes Vipras role in addressing manufacturers challenges related to resource efficiency and operational speed, pointing to the platforms capacity to produce components like high-temperature autoclave molds and complex structural parts.Caracol plans a full showcase of Vipra AM at Formnext, with a live demonstration and panel discussion on November 19, 2024, at booth C101 in Hall 12.1. Industry experts will discuss the emerging synergies between polymer and metal LFAM, along with the platforms impact on future manufacturing paradigms. Caracol envisions Vipra AM not only enhancing efficiency but also redefining the possibilities of large-scale metal additive manufacturing.Caracols booth location at Formnext 2024. Image via Caracol.Large-Scale Additive ManufacturingIn other large-scale 3D printing news,Rocket Lab, a space launch company based in California, has deployed a 90-ton automated fiber placement (AFP) machine to construct large carbon composite rocket structures. This AFP system, built by Electroimpact, automates the production of major composite components for Rocket Labs Neutron launch vehicle, reducing production time from weeks to hours.Additionally, Rapid Fusion, a UK-based company in the additive manufacturing sector, has introduced its Apollo system, a large-format pellet-based 3D printing solution. The Apollo system utilizes robotics to produce large components and molds, targeting industries such as automotive and aerospace. Capable of handling high extrusion rates and a wide range of engineering-grade polymers, Apollo offers significant improvements in printing speed and material cost efficiency.Rocket Labs 90-tonne automated fiber placement (AFP) machine. Photo via Rocket Lab.Your voice matters in the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards. Vote Now!What will the future of 3D printing look like?Which recent trends are driving the 3D printing industry, as highlighted by experts?Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to stay updated with the latest news and insights.Stay connected with the latest in 3D printing by following us on Twitter and Facebook, and dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry YouTube channel for more exclusive content.Feature image showcases the new Vipra AM to be unveiled at Formnext 2024. Photo via Caracol.