DreamWorks Animation’s OpenVDB format has been a game-changer for storing voxel data, thanks to its tree-like structure that allows for sparse volumes.
It’s been used to create stunning visuals for both games and virtual productions. But there’s always been one big challenge: massive asset sizes and expensive volume rendering.
Enter ZibraVDB, the latest innovation from Ukrainian deep-tech company Zibra AI. This new plugin for Unreal Engine 5 and Houdini is here to tackle those long-standing issues.
Unlike previous attempts like NanoVDB (NVIDIA’s take on OpenVDB, which only works with NVIDIA hardware), ZibraVDB compresses OpenVDB files by up to 20 times. Even better, it scales across both high-end and low-end GPUs.
Built on AI-powered tech, ZibraVDB not only compresses huge VFX assets but also makes real-time rendering possible, even in game engines. It allows developers to add more high-quality volumetric effects without bloating the game build.
All you have to do is:
- Simulate VFX in Houdini, EmberGen, or other solution
- Export volumetric effect in OpenVDB format
- Apply the ZibraAI plugin to achieve compression of visual effects directly in the game engine
- Place VFX in the scene and polish its look with shaders
- Use the ZibraAI plugin for real-time decompression and rendering of volumetric VFX in your project
And if that’s not enough, it’s flexible: artists can tweak shaders to adjust color, density, and playback speed based on different scenes, maximizing creative control without the memory strain.
Zibra AI’s plugin brings the film-quality VFX we all know and love into real-time experiences, whether it’s for games, virtual production studios, or CGI in film and TV. The future of volumetric VFX is here, and it’s lighter, faster, and more powerful than ever.
Read more here: https://effects.zibra.ai/zibra-vdb-compression
