Foundry has announced the release of Katana 8.0, Mari 7.1, and the open beta for Nuke 16.0, delivering powerful new features aimed at enhancing workflows for VFX professionals. Here’s a breakdown of what’s new:
Katana 8.0: A Game-Changer for USD Workflows
Katana 8.0 introduces comprehensive USD roundtripping, allowing seamless integration between Katana and USD-based systems. With the ability to export lighting, materials, cameras, and geometry modifications to USD, cross-department collaboration is now more streamlined, enabling greater asset reuse and efficiency.
Key updates include:
- Pattern-based Collections: Templates for managing multiple shots and sequences, offering flexibility in asset organization.
- KatanaToUsd Node: Facilitates conversion of Katana data to USD, strengthening its role in USD workflows.
- Performance Upgrades: A revamped node graph traversal process—migrated from Python to C++—boosts scene load speeds by up to 2.5 times.
Additionally, a Python Profiler in the Performance tab has been added, enhancing Python code monitoring. New debugging tools, such as the USD Text View tab, improve visibility into USD data on the stage. Katana 8.0 is also fully compatible with the VFX Reference Platform 2024, ensuring seamless integration with other industry tools.
Mari 7.1: Elevating Texture Painting
Mari 7.1 introduces a 2D Painting Mode, empowering artists to switch seamlessly between 2D and 3D environments. This feature enables live linking between 2D creations and 3D node graphs, streamlining workflows for texture artists.
Additional highlights include:
- Expanded Smart Mask Shelf: Over 50 new Smart Masks and utility nodes, designed by professionals like Stuart Ansley, provide ready-to-use tools for texturing.
- Enhanced Grunge Shelf: More textures, crafted by artist Johnny Fehr, improve material realism.
- Node Package Feature: Save and share entire Node Graph setups, boosting portability across projects and teams.
Mari 7.1 also supports material export variations through the Switch Node and offers new presets for quick Paint Node creation.
Nuke 16.0 Open Beta: What’s on the Horizon
Although details about Nuke 16.0 remain limited, the open beta marks a significant step forward for compositors. Foundry promises innovative updates designed to enhance Nuke’s role in post-production workflows.
Read more here : https://www.foundry.com/news-and-awards/foundry-announces-katana-8-and-Mari-7.1
