Monday, December 9th, 2024Posted by Jim ThackerFoundry releases Mari 7.1html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Originally posted on 11 October for the beta, and updated for the final release.Foundry has released Mari 7.1, the next version of its 3D texture painting software.New features include a 2D Paint Mode for creating or editing 2D images without having to switch to another application, and a new Switch node for creating texture variations.New 2D Paint Mode lets users edit source images or create decals without leaving MariThe main new feature in Mari 7.1 is the new 2D Paint Mode, for creating or editing 2D images without the need to open an external application like Photoshop.Suggested use cases include cloning out imperfections in source images, and creating custom decals and grunge maps.It supports the key features of Maris 3D painting toolset, including the Paint Buffer, Node Graph and Layer Stack, and can be accessed via a new 2D pane next to the Orthographic view, making it possible to switch between 3D and 2D modes quickly.Users can export the Node Graph to disk in 2D mode in a new .mrimg file format.The update also adds a new Image Write node type intended for use in 2D mode, equivalent to the existing Bake Point node for 3D workflows.It makes it possible to bake out a 2D image to the Image Manager that is automatically updated on each rebake.New Switch node toggles between texture variantsOther key changes in Mari 7.1 include the new Switch node.It enables artists to create multiple variants of a texture for example, clean and dirty states by choosing which parts of the Node Graph to render, switching between them with a UI toggle.Workflow improvements to the node graphThe update also features workflow improvements to the node graph, including the option to click anywhere within a Backdrop node to select all of the nodes contained within that area.It is also now possible to save part of the node graph as a Shelf item, bundling the network and any source images into a single Node Package.Other improvements include the option to choose from swatches of commonly used colors when creating a new Paint node, with users also able to add their own custom swatches.Custom Procedurals renamed Smart MasksIn addition, Maris existing Custom Procedurals system has been renamed Smart Masks to help users visualise how they might want to use the procedural groups in their projects.The same terminology is used in Adobes 3D painting software, Substance 3D Painter.The update also adds a Grunge shelf with readymade Smart Masks created by Digital Domain Lead Texture Artist Stuart Ansley.Still on the CY2023 spec for the VFX Reference PlatformAlthough Mari 7.1 remains on the CY2023 specification for VFX Reference Platform, two versions behind the latest spec, several third-party libraries have been updated. Find a full list here.Price, system requirements and release dateMari 7.1 is compatible with Windows 10+ and Rocky Linux/RHEL 9. Mari is available subscription-only. Individual subscriptions have a standard price of $86/month, or $689/year. Subscriptions for teams cost $1,169/year.Read an overview of the new features in Mari 7.1 on Foundrys websiteRead a full list of new features in Mari 7.1 in the release notesHave 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 NewsFoundry releases Mari 7.1Now available: 3D texture painting software gets new 2D painting mode for editing source images or creating custom decals.Monday, December 9th, 2024Tutorial - Modeling for Film & TV: Hard-Surface VehiclesDiscover to create a truck model suitable for use in a VFX production pipeline with The Gnomon Workshop's best-practice guide.Sunday, December 8th, 2024Autodesk open-sources USD for 3ds MaxSource code for the USD add-on for the 3D modeling and animation software is now available under an Apache 2.0 license.Saturday, December 7th, 2024Get Epic Games' free Project Titan Unreal Engine sampleDownload an 8km x 8km UE5 environment created in a massive 10-week art jam, with custom plugins and world-building tools.Friday, December 6th, 2024Maxon releases Redshift 2025.2GPU renderer gets new non-photorealistic rendering options and a USD Command Line Rendering tool for use on render farms.Thursday, December 5th, 2024Maxon releases Cinema 4D 2025.13D animation and motion graphics software gets revamped Boolean modeling system, plus updates to simulation and USD workflows.Thursday, December 5th, 2024More NewsMaxon releases ZBrush 2025.1Maxon releases ZBrush for iPad 2025.2Adobe releases After Effects 25.1Check out Substance 3D Modeler's new Primitives systemOtoy releases OctaneRender 2026.1 in alphaOtoy releases OctaneRender 2025.1 in betaiClone 8.52 adds new AI-assisted character posing systemDownload ActionVFX's 20 free stock VFX clips of asteroidsBlack Friday, Cyber Monday and Holiday 2024 deals for CG artistsNekki releases Cascadeur 2024.3Tutorial - Maya for Animators: Body Mechanics3DGS Render 2.0 now lets you edit 3D Gaussian Splats in BlenderOlder Posts