Silo 2024.3 is out. Check out the new features in Nevercenter's lightweight 3D modeling app, including modifiers for geometry extrusion and replication, and this new Boolean modifier.https://www.cgchannel.com/2024/09/nevercenter-releases-silo-2024/

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"3D scanning tools developer Kiri Innovations has released 3DGS Render, an open-source tool for visualizing 3D Gaussian Splats inside Blender.The add-on makes it possible to import 3DGS scans of real-world objects in PLY format and manipulate them in real time inside Blender, rendering them with the Eevee renderer.A new technique for generating 3D scans from images of real-world objectsBased on research published last year, 3D Gaussian Splatting is a new 3D scanning method.Like photogrammetry, it begins by generating a point cloud of a 3D object or scene from a set of source photos, but rather than converting the point cloud to a textured mesh, it converts it to gaussians, using machine learning to determined the correct color for each.The result is a high-quality and potentially fast-rendering 3D representation of the object or scene being scanned.Supported by 3D scanning apps like Kiri EngineAn increasing number of 3D scanning tools now support 3D Gaussian Splatting, one obvious example being Kiri Innovations own Kiri Engine.For users with paid Pro accounts, both iOS and Android editions of the app now support 3DGS.Free tools for visualizing 3DGS dataAlthough there are free online tools for visualizing 3DGS data, like SuperSplat and Polycams online viewer, native support in CG software is more limited.Unity and Unreal Engine have free third-party add-ons, but for Blender, the best option was previously ReShot AIs experimental add-on.Manipulate and render 3DGS data directly inside Blender with 3DGS Render3DGS Render is intended to address some of the pain points with existing workflows, making it possible to manipulate 3DGS scan data inside Blender like a standard 3D object.On importing a scan in PLY format, the raw data is converted into a set of planes oriented to face the active camera in the scene.The resulting internal representation can be manipulated like a standard 3D object, transforming, scaling, rotating or duplicating the scan.The object can be displayed using the original scanned lighting, or be set to react to react to the lighting in the scene.However, there are still some limitations, discussed in the online documentation.The main one is that the add-on only works with Eevee, Blenders real-time renderer, not Cycles, the main production renderer.Pricing and system requirements3DGS Render is compatible with Blender 4.2. Its a free download. The source code is available under an Apache 2.0 license.Read more about 3DGS Render in the online documentationDownload 3DGS Render from Kiri Innovations GitHub repositoryHave your say on this story by following CG Channel on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). As well as being able to comment on stories, followers of our social media accounts can see videos we dont post on the site itself, including making-ofs for the latest VFX movies, animations, games cinematics and motion graphics projects.

Check out Framestore's VFX breakdown of its CG-enhanced stunts from The Fall GuyWatch the full video on the Framestore YouTube channel (also shows Metalstorm, the sci-fi film-within-the-film): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHHPum1pZwc

Free tool: 3DGS Render for Blender. The handy free add-on from the developer of 3D scanning app Kiri Engine lets you manipulate and render 3D Gaussian Splats inside Blender like standard 3D objects.https://www.cgchannel.com/2024/09/free-tool-3dgs-render-renders-3d-gaussian-splats-inside-blender/

Forest Pack 9.0 is out. It's a sizeable update to the popular 3ds Max scattering plugin, adding ForestIvy, a new add-on for generating 3D ivy and other climbing plantsCheck out the other new features: https://www.cgchannel.com/2024/09/itoo-software-releases-forest-pack-9-for-3ds-max/

Unity has posted more details of the next-gen releases that will follow Unity 6. Check out the upcoming features in the game engine, including a new OpenPBR-based Unified Lit shader, the new Unified Renderer, and new character animation and procedural world building tools.https://www.cgchannel.com/2024/09/unity-previews-its-roadmap-for-unity-6-1-and-beyond/

Check out a VFX breakdown of The Mill's work on the balletic 'Night Creatures' Burberry promo, posted by Creative Director Alex LovejoyWatch the full video on Alex Lovejoy's Vimeo channel: https://vimeo.com/1013246114

Enter 3DModels' 2024 car render challenge, and you could win some great prizes, including licenses of OctaneRender, InstaMAT and 3DCoat. Entries close on 4 December.https://3dmodels.org/car-challenge-2024/

NIM 7.0 is available. Check out the new features in NIM-Labs' studio management platform for VFX and visualization, including the reworked scheduling system and new conflict detection and resource usage tracking features.https://www.cgchannel.com/2024/09/nim-labs-launches-nim-7-0/

Now available for Mac: get access to 150+ free 3D models and materials for 3ds Max, Blender, C4D, Maya and UE5 with KitBash3D's asset browser

Thursday, September 26th, 2024Posted by Jim ThackeriToo Software releases Forest Pack 9.0 for 3ds Maxhtml PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"iToosoft has released Forest Pack 9.0, the latest version of its scattering plugin for 3ds Max.The most ambitious release in years, the update adds ForestIvy, an accompanying plugin for generating 3D ivy and other climbing plants using a mix of manual and parametric workflow.The ultimate scattering tool for 3ds MaxDescribed by iToo as the ultimate scattering tool for 3ds Max, Forest Pack is designed to distribute objects across a scene: usually plant models, but also rocks, buildings or lights.The plugin can generate scenes with hundreds of thousands of scattered objects, with a point cloud display mode to improve viewport response, and the option to convert Forest Pack objects to Maxs native instances.The scattering process is fully parametric, and object distribution can also be controlled by image maps, splines or painting directly onto terrain geometry.Forest Pack can scatter both static and animated objects, with the option to randomise both texture maps and the time offset of animation cycles, or control them via image maps.Forest Pack 9.0: new ForestIvy plugin generates 3D climbing plantsThe main new feature in Forest Pack 9.0 the paid Pro edition, at least is ForestIvy, a new bundled plugin for generating 3D ivy and other climbing plants.Users set the overall form of the ivy using a combination of manual and procedural workflow, drawing it directly onto surfaces, generating it automatically, or blending between the two.Its also possible to generate vegetation without an underlying surface, to create basic bushes and shrubs.For finer control, the plugin includes parametric control for properties like branching pattern, the response of the plant to gravity, and the distribution of leaves and flowers.ForestIvy ships with 30 presets based on real-world leaf scans, making it possible to recreate a range of types of climbing plants.To improve performance, the plugin uses viewport and render-time instancing: the initial release is supported in Arnold and V-Ray CPU, but other renderers should add support soon.Workflow and performance updates to the core pluginAs well as ForestIvy, there are a number of workflow and performance improvements to Forest Pack itself.Distribution maps now support multiple mapping channels, and the Randomize Stacked setting now supports stacked splines as well as areas.The ForestSet helper plugin added in Forest Pack 8.0 has been updated, to make it possible to move items from the Geometry List to ForestSet objects.There are also updates to the UI, Library Browser, camera clipping, memory management, and support for V-Ray Proxies. You can find a full list of changes via the link at the foot of the story.Pricing and availabilityForest Pack 9.0 is compatible with 3ds Max 2019+ running on Windows 10+. You can find a list of compatible render engines here.New perpetual licences cost $275. There is also a free Lite edition. Its feature-limited, but can be used on commercial projects.Read a full list of new features in Forest Pack 9.0 in the online release notesRead more about Forest Pack on the product webpage(The download link for the Lite edition is at the top of the page) Latest NewsUnity previews its roadmap for Unity 6.1 and beyondUpdated: See the new tools due in the game engine in 2025, including updates to shading, rendering, animation and world building.Thursday, September 26th, 2024iToo Software releases Forest Pack 9.0 for 3ds MaxMajor update to the popular scattering plugin adds new ForestIvy add-on for generating 3D ivy and other climbing plants.Thursday, September 26th, 2024Check out Blender 4.3's new SLIM UV unwrapping systemTry the 'state-of-the-art' new iterative UV unwrapping algorithm available in alpha builds of the open-source 3D software.Wednesday, September 25th, 2024Free tool: KitBash3D's CargoNow available for Mac: get access to 150+ free 3D models and materials for 3ds Max, Blender, C4D, Maya and UE5 with KitBash3D's asset browserWednesday, September 25th, 2024Nevercenter releases Silo 2024.3 and Milo 2024.0Check out the new features in the lightweight 3D modeling software, including modifiers for Boolean modeling, extrusion and replication.Tuesday, September 24th, 2024NIM Labs launches NIM 7.0Studio management platform for VFX and visualization gets new scheduling, conflict detection and resource usage tracking features.Tuesday, September 24th, 2024More NewsAlexey Vanzhula releases Modeler 2025 for HoudiniPeople Going Places is a free Blender crowds add-onHow to create facial blendshapes using photogrammetryOtoy releases OctaneRender 2024.1How Unity created Time Ghost, its beautiful Unity 6 tech demoLightWave Digital releases LightWave 2024.1Adobe releases Substance 3D Painter 10.1Epic is making Megascans free to all - but only until the end of 2024Epic Games to launch its Fab marketplace in October 2024Tutorial: Creating Efficient Digital Doubles for VFXKiri Engine 3.10 and 3.11 are outMaxon releases Red Giant 2025Older Posts

Check out Framestore's VFX breakdown of Duke, the 16-foot CG alligator, from Bad Boys 4: Ride or DieWatch the full video via befores & afters: https://beforesandafters.com/2024/09/25/exclusive-watch-framestores-vfx-breakdown-for-the-gator-action-in-bad-boys-ride-or-die/ More info on Framestore's website: https://www.framestore.com/work/bad-boys-ride-or-die

Wednesday, September 25th, 2024Posted by Jim ThackerFree tool: KitBash3Ds Cargohtml PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Originally posted on 21 May 2023. Scroll down for news of Cargo for macOS.Online asset store KitBash3D has released Cargo: a free USD-based asset manager for browsing its 3D buildings and exporting them to 3ds Max, Blender, Cinema 4D, Maya and UE5.A free Cargo Basic account provides access to over 100 free assets, plus any KitBash3D kits you have previously bought; paid accounts give you access to all of KitBash3Ds assets.An online library of kitbash assets for VFX, animation and game developmentSince its launch in 2017, KitBash3D has become a leading source of digital building kits for visual effects, animation and game development work.Its online library, which now comprises over 10,000 models and materials, has been used on film franchises like Dr. Strange, TV shows like The Last of Us, and games like The Elder Scrolls.New Cargo browser exports assets from the library to 3ds Max, Blender, Maya or UE5The new Cargo asset browser simplifies the process of browsing and installing assets from that library, in the same way that Quixels Bridge tool does for Megascans. Users browse assets from within the Cargo interface itself, with the option to filter by type, polygon count, genre, or the kitbash asset kit from which they were taken.The selected asset can then be downloaded and sent to any linked DCC applications with a single click: link plugins are available for 3ds Max, Maya, Blender and Unreal Engine 5.Try sample assets from KitBash3Ds kitbash libraries for freeA free Basic account provides access to a set of sample assets many from the free Mission to Minerva kit including 3D buildings, building parts, furniture and plants.You also get access to any of the commercial kitbash asset kits you have bought in the past.A paid Pro account provides access to KitBash3Ds entire library.Updated 29 August 2023: KitBash3D has made 25 new assets available to Cargo Basic users, including buildings from its AtomPunk, Treasure Island, Neo San Francisco and Americana kits.Updated 19 September 2023: KitBash3D has released Cargo 1.1.The update, which is also free, adds support for full-screen previews of assets, the option to change the default download location, better asset filtering, and support for Houdini and Unity.Updated 25 September 2024: KitBash3D has released a macOS version of Cargo in open beta.It initially supports Blender, Cinema 4D and Unreal Engine 5, with more integrations to come.At the time of writing, 156 assets are available for free: two 3D vehicles, 94 other 3D assets, and 60 materials. The 3D assets come with texture maps up to 4K in resolution.Price and system requirementsCargo is available for Windows 10+ and macOS 11.0+.The Windows version is compatible with 3ds Max 2021+, Blender 3.0+, Cinema 4D R25+, Houdini 18.5+, Maya 2020+, Unity 2020+ and Unreal Engine 5.0+. Find a list of render engines supported.The software itself is a free download, and a free Basic account provides access to the free sample assets and any KitBash3D kits you have previously purchased.For commercial work, Pro accounts provide access to KitBash3Ds full library of over 10,000 models and materials, and cost $99/month or $590/year. Teams plans for studios cost $1,188/user/year.Download Cargo from KitBash3Ds websiteHave your say on this story by following CG Channel on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). As well as being able to comment on stories, followers of our social media accounts can see videos we dont post on the site itself, including making-ofs for the latest VFX movies, animations, games cinematics and motion graphics projects.Latest NewsCheck out Blender 4.3's new SLIM UV unwrapping systemTry the 'state-of-the-art' new iterative UV unwrapping algorithm available in alpha builds of the open-source 3D software.Wednesday, September 25th, 2024Free tool: KitBash3D's CargoNow available for Mac: get access to 150+ free 3D models and materials for 3ds Max, Blender, C4D, Maya and UE5 with KitBash3D's asset browserWednesday, September 25th, 2024Nevercenter releases Silo 2024.3 and Milo 2024.0Check out the new features in the lightweight 3D modeling software, including modifiers for Boolean modeling, extrusion and replication.Tuesday, September 24th, 2024NIM Labs launches NIM 7.0Studio management platform for VFX and visualization gets new scheduling, conflict detection and resource usage tracking features.Tuesday, September 24th, 2024Alexey Vanzhula releases Modeler 2025 for HoudiniMajor update to the popular hard-surface modeling toolkit for Houdini reworks the interface, workflow, and adds new retopology tools.Monday, September 23rd, 2024People Going Places is a free Blender crowds add-onLightweight Geometry Nodes setup provides a quick way to add background crowds to scenes for animation or motion graphics work.Monday, September 23rd, 2024More NewsHow to create facial blendshapes using photogrammetryOtoy releases OctaneRender 2024.1Unity previews its roadmap for Unity 6.1 and beyondHow Unity created Time Ghost, its beautiful Unity 6 tech demoLightWave Digital releases LightWave 2024.1Adobe releases Substance 3D Painter 10.1Epic is making Megascans free to all - but only until the end of 2024Epic Games to launch its Fab marketplace in October 2024Tutorial: Creating Efficient Digital Doubles for VFXKiri Engine 3.10 and 3.11 are outMaxon releases Red Giant 2025Check out the new machine learning tools in Silhouette 2024.5Older Posts

Don't miss Gnomon's free livestream on the VFX of Superman & Lois this Thursday, 26 September, with Boxel Studio VFX Supervisor Weverton AlvesMore details: https://www.gnomon.edu/news-and-events/events/streamlining-creativity-the-vfx-behind-superman-lois-with-boxel-studio

Tuesday, September 24th, 2024Posted by Jim ThackerNevercenter releases Silo 2024.3 and Milo 2024.0html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Originally posted on 13 November 2023, and updated with details of Silo 2024.3.Nevercenter has begun its 2024 releases of Silo, its lightweight 3D modelling software, and Milo, its Unreal Engine-based real-time renderer.Silo 2024.0 adds File Instance, a new system for referencing external files within a Silo project, making it easier to manage update to complex models.Milo 2024.0 adds a new gradient background type.A lightweight sub-D modeller and accompanying real-time rendererFirst released in 2003, Silo built up a reputation as an efficient, focused modelling package.It has a streamlined set of polygonal and subdivision surface modelling tools, a topology brush for drawing new topology over a reference object, and interactive real-time UV unwrapping.As well as creating low-poly assets for games or real-time applications, it can be used to rough out base models for sculpting in ZBrush, and supports Pixologics GoZ bridge system.Although development stalled during the 2010s, the pace picked up again with the release of Silo 2021, with Nevercenter also launching Milo, a new standalone Unreal-Engine-based real-time renderer and VR viewer.Silo 2024.0: new File Instance systemSince then, Nevercenter has been putting out relatively small, but regular, updates to the software, with Silo 2024.0 adding one new feature, File Instance. Its a file-referencing system, making it possible to use external files either separate Silo files, or 3D models in standard file formats as instances within a Silo project.When the external file is updated, the Silo model will update automatically.Updated 8 December 2023: Nevercenter has released Milo 2024.0.The update adds a new gradient background that can be used to create a sky backdrop or create more stylized effects. Its locked to screen space, so it remains fixed as a model is rotated.Updated 7 February 2024: Nevercenter has released Silo 2024.1.The update adds a new Auto UVs modifier that updates an objects UVs in real time, making it possible to work on a model and have Silo adjust its textures automatically.Once the form of the model is finalized, users can bake the UVs and edit the UV layout in a conventional way.Auto UVs supports five of Silos texture projection modes Cubic, Cylindrical, Spherical, Per Face and Planar Regions although not yet LSCM, so its suited to relatively simple models.Nevercenter describes it as useful for buildings and mechanical objects that mostly just need a repeating material tile applied in a logical way.The Planar Regions projection has also been updated, with a new option to orient UVs to world co-ordinates: for example, to give keep textures aligned vertically as a model is modified.Updated 11 April 2024: Nevercenter has released Silo 2024.2.The main change is native Apple Silicon support, which should improve performance on current Macs with M1, M2 or M3 processors.The update also improves workflow when entering numerical values in the UI, with the option to increment or decremment values using the arrow keys, and to right-click to reset to the default.Updated 25 September 2024: Nevercenter has released Silo 2024.3.The update adds a new Boolean modifier, making it possible to create complex shapes non-destructively using Boolean operations, particularly to cut out sections of geometry.There is also a new Chain Replicate modifier for creating repeating patterns like chains and stairs, and a Path Extrusion modifier for extruding geometry along a path non-destructively.Pricing and availabilitySilo and Milo are available for Windows 10 and macOS 12.0+.Perpetual licences of Silo have an MSRP of $159, which includes Milo. The updates are free to anyone who has bought the software in the past year. Read a full list of new features in Silo 2024 and Milo 2024 in Nevercenters release notesRead more about Silo and Milo on Nevercenters product websiteHave your say on this story by following CG Channel on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). As well as being able to comment on stories, followers of our social media accounts can see videos we dont post on the site itself, including making-ofs for the latest VFX movies, animations, games cinematics and motion graphics projects.Latest NewsCheck out Blender 4.3's new SLIM UV unwrapping systemTry the 'state-of-the-art' new iterative UV unwrapping algorithm available in alpha builds of the open-source 3D software.Wednesday, September 25th, 2024Nevercenter releases Silo 2024.3 and Milo 2024.0Check out the new features in the lightweight 3D modeling software, including modifiers for Boolean modeling, extrusion and replication.Tuesday, September 24th, 2024NIM Labs launches NIM 7.0Studio management platform for VFX and visualization gets new scheduling, conflict detection and resource usage tracking features.Tuesday, September 24th, 2024Alexey Vanzhula releases Modeler 2025 for HoudiniMajor update to the popular hard-surface modeling toolkit for Houdini reworks the interface, workflow, and adds new retopology tools.Monday, September 23rd, 2024People Going Places is a free Blender crowds add-onLightweight Geometry Nodes setup provides a quick way to add background crowds to scenes for animation or motion graphics work.Monday, September 23rd, 2024How to create facial blendshapes using photogrammetryNew Gnomon Workshop tutorial reveals how to process 3D scans of an actor for use in a FACS-based facial animation rig in Maya.Sunday, September 22nd, 2024More NewsOtoy releases OctaneRender 2024.1Unity previews its roadmap for Unity 6.1 and beyondHow Unity created Time Ghost, its beautiful Unity 6 tech demoLightWave Digital releases LightWave 2024.1Adobe releases Substance 3D Painter 10.1Epic is making Megascans free to all - but only until the end of 2024Epic Games to launch its Fab marketplace in October 2024Tutorial: Creating Efficient Digital Doubles for VFXKiri Engine 3.10 and 3.11 are outMaxon releases Red Giant 2025Check out the new machine learning tools in Silhouette 2024.5Unity scraps controversial Runtime Fee but raises pricesOlder Posts

Wednesday, September 25th, 2024Posted by Jim ThackerCheck out Blender 4.3s new SLIM UV unwrapping systemhtml PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"UV layouts generated from a 3D model of a human head by Blenders existing Conformal method and the new SLIM algorithm. Areas of UV distortion are shown in orange and red.Blender just got support for SLIM, a state-of-the-art iterative UV unwrapping algorithm.The algorithm, implemented in alpha builds of Blender 4.3, unwraps complex meshes with less distortion than existing options, The work was originally begun eight years ago, but has just been completed by ukasz Czy, developer of the UVPackmaster UV unwrapping plugin for Blender.Less distortion and more controllable results than existing UV unwrapping algorithmsDeveloped by researchers at ETH Zurich, SLIM (Scalable Local Injective Mappings) is an iterative method for UV unwrapping meshes.As well as providing good results on complex meshes, even those with no UV seams defined, setting iterations lets users trade the quality of the UV maps generated against processing time.Work on integrating SLIM into Blender originally began eight years ago, while Blender 2.7 was in development.Although the project initially stalled, ukasz Czy has now picked up where original developer Aurel Gruber left off, and the code was merged into the main branch of Blender this week.In alpha builds of Blender 4.3, SLIM is available via the Minimum Stretch option in the UI.In this blog post, you can see comparisons of the UV distortion it creates when unwrapping a 3D model of human head, relative to the existing Angle Based and Conformal options.According to Czy, SLIM can also be used to reduce stretching on meshes that have already been unwrapped.System requirementsSLIM UV unwrapping is available in Blender 4.3. It is currently in alpha, with the stable release due in November.Blender is compatible with Windows 8.1+, macOS 11.2+ and glibc 2.28+ Linux. Its free.Read more about integration SLIM into Blender on ukasz Czys blogDownload daily alpha builds of BlenderHave your say on this story by following CG Channel on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). As well as being able to comment on stories, followers of our social media accounts can see videos we dont post on the site itself, including making-ofs for the latest VFX movies, animations, games cinematics and motion graphics projects.Latest NewsCheck out Blender 4.3's new SLIM UV unwrapping systemTry the 'state-of-the-art' new iterative UV unwrapping algorithm available in alpha builds of the open-source 3D software.Wednesday, September 25th, 2024Nevercenter releases Silo 2024.3 and Milo 2024.0Check out the new features in the lightweight 3D modeling software, including modifiers for Boolean modeling, extrusion and replication.Tuesday, September 24th, 2024NIM Labs launches NIM 7.0Studio management platform for VFX and visualization gets new scheduling, conflict detection and resource usage tracking features.Tuesday, September 24th, 2024Alexey Vanzhula releases Modeler 2025 for HoudiniMajor update to the popular hard-surface modeling toolkit for Houdini reworks the interface, workflow, and adds new retopology tools.Monday, September 23rd, 2024People Going Places is a free Blender crowds add-onLightweight Geometry Nodes setup provides a quick way to add background crowds to scenes for animation or motion graphics work.Monday, September 23rd, 2024How to create facial blendshapes using photogrammetryNew Gnomon Workshop tutorial reveals how to process 3D scans of an actor for use in a FACS-based facial animation rig in Maya.Sunday, September 22nd, 2024More NewsOtoy releases OctaneRender 2024.1Unity previews its roadmap for Unity 6.1 and beyondHow Unity created Time Ghost, its beautiful Unity 6 tech demoLightWave Digital releases LightWave 2024.1Adobe releases Substance 3D Painter 10.1Epic is making Megascans free to all - but only until the end of 2024Epic Games to launch its Fab marketplace in October 2024Tutorial: Creating Efficient Digital Doubles for VFXKiri Engine 3.10 and 3.11 are outMaxon releases Red Giant 2025Check out the new machine learning tools in Silhouette 2024.5Unity scraps controversial Runtime Fee but raises pricesOlder Posts

Check out Image Engine's VFX breakdown for Alien: Romulus, including this unfortunate rat being exploded by a chestbursterWatch the full video (includes people being spiked and dissolved with acid blood): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVR8jx3uNoM

Check out The Mill's VFX breakdown of its digital rain effects for heist comedy The InstigatorsWatch the full video on the millchannel YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdh1ENvcpwQ

Check out WeFX's VFX breakdown for Netflix sci-fi drama Uglies, including digi-doubles, detailed CG environments and a CG rollercoaster.Watch the full video on WeFX's Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/p/DAJrLPRSPrm/

Monday, September 23rd, 2024Posted by Jim ThackerPeople Going Places is a free Blender crowds add-onhtml PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"CG artist and tools developer Jules Mabon aka Ogjee has released People Going Places, a free Blender crowds add-on.The lightweight Geometry Nodes setup populates a ground mesh with low-poly animated characters to generate background crowds for animation or motion graphics work.A quick way to add background crowds to Blender scenesPeople Going Places provides a quick way to add animated crowds to the background of shots.Users simply provide a ground mesh for the crowd characters to navigate, and select the areas on its surface in which they should walk, with the add-on filling them with movement paths.It is possible to adjust the result using parameters to control the number of crowd characters, their movement speed, and the spacing and distribution of the paths.For larger crowds, it is possible to bake the node graph to improve real-time performance.Suited to less demanding shotsAccording to Mabon, the model does not feature collisions between people and is shipped with low poly characters with simplistic animations, so it is mostly suited for distant crowds.We arent sure if its possible to get crowds to navigate uneven terrain: the demo shows only flat and angled surfaces, and the characters tend to slide when navigating ramps.The add-on comes with basic procedural characters, but Mabon provides a paid pack of 32 textured low-poly animated characters as an add-on.Price and system requirementsProcedural Crowds is compatible with Blender 4.2. The base add-on is a free download, while the pack of low-poly 3D characters costs 2.Download People Going Places from the Ogjee Gumroad store(Enter a figure of 0 to download the add-on for free, or add a voluntary tip)Have your say on this story by following CG Channel on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). As well as being able to comment on stories, followers of our social media accounts can see videos we dont post on the site itself, including making-ofs for the latest VFX movies, animations, games cinematics and motion graphics projects.Latest NewsAlexey Vanzhula releases Modeler 2025 for HoudiniMajor update to the popular hard-surface modeling toolkit for Houdini reworks the interface, workflow, and adds new retopology tools.Monday, September 23rd, 2024People Going Places is a free Blender crowds add-onLightweight Geometry Nodes setup provides a quick way to add background crowds to scenes for animation or motion graphics work.Monday, September 23rd, 2024How to create facial blendshapes using photogrammetryNew Gnomon Workshop tutorial reveals how to process 3D scans of an actor for use in a FACS-based facial animation rig in Maya.Sunday, September 22nd, 2024Otoy releases OctaneRender 2024.1Discover the new features in the latest version of the GPU renderer - and which features are now scheduled for future releases.Saturday, September 21st, 2024Unity previews its roadmap for Unity 6.1 and beyondCheck out the new features due in the game engine in 2025, including updates to rendering, world building and animation.Friday, September 20th, 2024How Unity created Time Ghost, its beautiful Unity 6 tech demoDiscover how the new graphics and simulation features in Unity 6 were used to create the demo, which runs in real time on a GeForce 4090 GPU.Friday, September 20th, 2024More NewsLightWave Digital releases LightWave 2024.1Adobe releases Substance 3D Painter 10.1Epic is making Megascans free to all - but only until the end of 2024Epic Games to launch its Fab marketplace in October 2024Tutorial: Creating Efficient Digital Doubles for VFXKiri Engine 3.10 and 3.11 are outMaxon releases Red Giant 2025Check out the new machine learning tools in Silhouette 2024.5Unity scraps controversial Runtime Fee but raises pricesZibraVDB: real-time volumetric rendering in virtual productionSitni Sati releases FumeFX 6.5 for 3ds MaxNekki releases Cascadeur 2024.2Older Posts

Modeler 2025 for Houdini is out. It's a major update to Alexey Vanzhula's popular hard surface modeling toolkit, reworking the UI and workflow to be more like Houdini itself, and adding new retopology tools.More info: https://www.cgchannel.com/2024/09/alexey-vanzhula-releases-modeler-2025-for-houdini/

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Image created using Modeler for Houdini by Philipp von Preuschen.Alexey Vanzhula has released Modeler 2025, a major update to the modelling toolkit for Houdini.The update reworks the add-on from scratch to make it feel more like a native part of Houdini, and adds new tools for retopologizing models to create even all-quad geometry.A classic hard surface and Boolean modelling toolkit for HoudiniFirst released in 2018 under the name Direct Modeling HDA, Modeler is a classic modelling environment for Houdini, intended to make workflow more like that in other DCC apps.It features a range of tools for polygonal and subdivision modelling, and for retopology.Modeler 2025: redesigned to feel more like a native part of HoudiniModeler 2025 is a major structural update, rewriting almost all of the add-ons Python and VEX code, and redesigning all of its HDAs.Vanzhula says that the work has been done to make Modeler feel less like a separate program running inside another, and more like a native part of Houdini.Users no longer have to activate a separate Modeler mode to use its tools, and all of those tools are now stored on shelves, making it possible to assign hotkeys to them in the standard way.In addition, the contextual menus have been redesigned to look more like Houdinis interface, and can be detached and repositioned anywhere in the viewport.The add-on also comes with seven readymade radial menus, to access display options and key toolsets.New and updated retopology toolsModeler 2025 also introduces new retopology tools, including Draw Patch, which makes it possible to cover a surface being retopologized with uniform all-quad geometry by drawing the boundaries of the patch directly onto its surface, using a workflow similar to tools like TopoGun.The existing PolyPen tool has been redesigned for even more convenient topology editing, particularly when using a stylus.Changes include support for symmetrical modeling, automatic welding of edges and loops, and the option to flatten edge loops into a line based on the viewport camera.The Face tool, for creating polygons from selected points or edges, has also been redesigned to make it easier to fill in gaps in curved polygonal cages, as shown in the video above.Other new and updated toolsOther new tools include Sculpt Move and Sculpt Relax, which use the reworked Sculpt SOP introduced in Houdini 20.5, but respect symmetry settings.There are also new Linear Falloff and Radial Falloff tools similar to those found in Modo.Modeler 2025 also features updates to many of key existing tools, including Bevel, Thickness, Connect and Knife. You can find a full list of changes via the links at the foot of the story.Pricing and system requirementsModeler 2025 for Houdini is compatible with Houdini 20.5. Individual floating licences cost $100; unlimited-seat Studio licences now cost $500, up $100 since the previous release.Read a full list of new features in Modeler 2025 in the online changelogRead more about Modeler for Houdini on Alexey Vanzhulas Gumroad storeHave your say on this story by following CG Channel on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). As well as being able to comment on stories, followers of our social media accounts can see videos we dont post on the site itself, including making-ofs for the latest VFX movies, animations, games cinematics and motion graphics projects.

Free tool: People Going Places adds animated crowds to Blender scenesJules Mabon's lightweight Geometry Nodes setup quickly generates background crowds for animation and motion graphics workhttps://www.cgchannel.com/2024/09/people-going-places-is-a-lightweight-free-blender-crowds-add-on/

[Sponsored] Discover how Zibra AI aims to shake up virtual production and game development. The deep tech firm's ZibraVDB compression technology for Unreal Engine and Houdini lets artists store and render even complex VFX in real time.https://www.cgchannel.com/2024/09/zibravdb-real-time-volumetric-rendering-in-virtual-production/

Sunday, September 22nd, 2024Posted by Jim ThackerHow to create facial blendshapes using photogrammetryhtml PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"The Gnomon Workshop has released Creating Facial Blendshapes Using Photogrammetry, a new video tutorial recorded by Blur Studio Facial Modeler Adam Spring.The workshop a masterclass in scanning facial expressions and processing the scan data into blendshapes for use in a FACS-based facial rig provides over four hours of video training in Lightroom, Metashape, Maya, ZBrush, Wrap and Photoshop.Convert 3D scans of an actor into blendshapes for use in a FACS-based facial rigIn the tutorial, Spring reveals how to capture an actors facial expressions and process the scan data into blendshapes that can be used in a FACS-based facial animation rig.He begins by capturing source photos using a DSLR camera, converting them into 3D scans in photogrammetry software Metashape.Spring then cleans and wraps the raw scan data, using ZBrush to isolate different areas of the scans to create multiple blendshapes that can be imported into Maya.Finally, he explores how to create a blendshape rig in Maya, creating a dynamic shader set-up in which expression texture maps are driven dynamically by individual facial shapes.The workflow is suitable for use in either a games or visual effects pipeline.About the artistAdam Spring is a Facial Modeler at VFX and animation facility Blur Studio.Over the past five years, he has also worked on character pipelines for clients including MPC, Activision and Ubisoft, focusing specifically on facial modeling and FACS.Pricing and availabilityCreating Facial Blendshapes Using Photogrammetry is available via a subscription to The Gnomon Workshop, which provides access to over 300 tutorials.Subscriptions cost $57/month or $519/year. Free trials are available.Read more about Creating Facial Blendshapes Using PhotogrammetryHave your say on this story by following CG Channel on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). As well as being able to comment on stories, followers of our social media accounts can see videos we dont post on the site itself, including making-ofs for the latest VFX movies, animations, games cinematics and motion graphics projects.Full disclosure: CG Channel is owned by Gnomon.Latest NewsHow to create facial blendshapes using photogrammetryNew Gnomon Workshop tutorial reveals how to process 3D scans of an actor for use in a FACS-based facial animation rig in Maya.Sunday, September 22nd, 2024Otoy releases OctaneRender 2024.1Discover the new features in the latest version of the GPU renderer - and which features are now scheduled for future releases.Saturday, September 21st, 2024Unity previews its roadmap for Unity 6.1 and beyondCheck out the new features due in the game engine in 2025, including updates to rendering, world building and animation.Friday, September 20th, 2024How Unity created Time Ghost, its beautiful Unity 6 tech demoDiscover how the new graphics and simulation features in Unity 6 were used to create the demo, which runs in real time on a GeForce 4090 GPU.Friday, September 20th, 2024LightWave Digital releases LightWave 2024.13D modeling and animation software gets new tools for copying and pasting animations, and for controlling depth of field in renders.Thursday, September 19th, 2024Adobe releases Substance 3D Painter 10.1Check out the changes to the 3D texture painting app, including the Embroidery decal material, eight new filters, and better USD support.Wednesday, September 18th, 2024More NewsEpic is making Megascans free to all - but only until the end of 2024Epic Games to launch its Fab marketplace in October 2024Tutorial: Creating Efficient Digital Doubles for VFXKiri Engine 3.10 and 3.11 are outMaxon releases Red Giant 2025Check out the new machine learning tools in Silhouette 2024.5Unity scraps controversial Runtime Fee but raises pricesZibraVDB: real-time volumetric rendering in virtual productionSitni Sati releases FumeFX 6.5 for 3ds MaxNekki releases Cascadeur 2024.2Adobe releases Substance 3D Modeler 1.14Adobe releases Photoshop 25.12Older Posts

Discover how to capture 3D scans of an actor and convert them into blendshapes for use in a FACS-based facial rig with Creating Facial Blendshapes Using Photogrammetry, Blur Studio artist Adam Spring's new tutorial for The Gnomon Workshop.https://www.cgchannel.com/2024/09/tutorial-creating-facial-blendshapes-using-photogrammetry/

Check out The Mill's VFX breakdown of the gravity-defying driving from its new ad for the Nissan Qashqai Watch the full video on the millchannel YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUnz-akOy10&t=1s #VFX #VFXbreakdown @mill_paris @millchannel_paris