html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Need to set up a production pipeline for your next VFX, animation or game development project? Check out open-source pipeline and project management tool Tik Manager 4.The Python-based tool is intended to be simple enough to deploy on small projects but robust enough to scale to heavy loads, and integrates with a range of industry-standard DCC apps.An intuitive, robust pipeline system for VFX, animation and games workDeveloped by DNEG Lead Creature TD Arda Kutlu, Tik Manager has been publicly available since 2019, but Kutlu describes version 4, released last year, as a milestone update.Although technically a successor [to the 2019 version], its essentially a complete rewrite based on extensive user feedback. In comparison, the previous version was quite limited in scope.Since the 4.0 release, Kutlu has continued to update Tik Manager regularly the current release is version 4.3 and has just launched a dedicated website for the software. Handles collaborative file access, version control and task managementTik Manager is designed to be artist-friendly, with an intuitive, no-fuss interface that lets users focus on the art, not the process, but robust enough to scale to larger projects.It has the core functionality that you would expect in a pipeline system, with users able to manage access permissions for shared files, create and assign tasks to be completed, manage versioning of assets, and publish updates to other team members.When publishing updates to a scene, Tik Manager automatically extracts the latest versions of the assets required and validates them against the technical standards defined for the project.Other noteworthy features include a localization option, making it possible for team members to cache files locally to reduce data traffic to cloud storage platforms like Google Drive or Dropbox.Works with a range of key DCC applications, across Windows, Linux and macOSTik Manager works cross-platform it is possible to combine Windows, Linux and macOS machines in the same pipeline and integrates with a range of key CG applications.As well as general-purpose 3D modeling, animation and FX tools like Maya, Houdini, Blender and 3ds Max, it works with texturing apps Mari, Photoshop and Substance 3D Painter, lighting and look dev tools Gaffer and Katana, and Nuke for compositing.The software also integrates with Flow Production Tracking, Autodesks production-tracking platform, formerly known as Shotgun and ShotGrid.Kutlu tells us that he plans to continue adding integrations, including both ZBrush and Unreal Engine, with Unreal Engine likely to be the platform next to receive support.System requirements and licensingTik Manager runs on Windows, Linux and macOS. Version 4.3 integrates with 3ds Max, Blender, Gaffer, Houdini, Katana, Mari, Maya, Nuke, Photoshop and Substance 3D Painter.The source code is available on GitHub under an open-source GPL v3 license. You can download compiled builds for free, although currently only for Windows.If you want to support development, you can join Arda Kutlus Patreon, or make a one-off donation via the PayPal button at the foot of the project homepage.Download open-source VFX and games pipeline system Tik Manager from the project websiteRead more about Tik Manager in the online documentationHave 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.