Press Release
D2 Software, Inc. a subsidiary of Digital Domain, Inc., is now shipping v4.5 of Nuke, the high-end compositing system built by artists, for artists. Already offering the industry’s most robust 3D workspace with .obj support and 3D camera projection, Nuke now incorporates a brand new image-based keyer and tools for additional creative flexibility when working in 3D. With a focus on making Nuke accessible to the broadest range of users, the newest release also introduces a new UI mode, support for Mac OSX and broader support for Open FX, and a new pricing structure.
Keying, 3D continue to advance
Nuke artists will find a brand new image-based keyer (IBK) in v4.5, which provides a unique and flexible method for pulling high-quality keys. In traditional keyers, algorithms are based on the weighted relationship between the color channels involved in creating a key, locking them together so that as artists adjust one color channel, another color channel is proportionally adjusted. By contrast, the IBK’s algorithm enables artists to work on each color channel individually, for greater creative flexibility. It also includes specialized tools to deal with matte edges and the halo effect (or ‘fringes’) common in blue and green screen footage. The IBK, uniquely available in Nuke, delivers substantial time savings when producing high quality composites, and is especially good at keying uneven blue/greenscreens.
Nuke artists will find a brand new image-based keyer (IBK) in v4.5, which provides a unique and flexible method for pulling high-quality keys. In traditional keyers, algorithms are based on the weighted relationship between the color channels involved in creating a key, locking them together so that as artists adjust one color channel, another color channel is proportionally adjusted. By contrast, the IBK’s algorithm enables artists to work on each color channel individually, for greater creative flexibility. It also includes specialized tools to deal with matte edges and the halo effect (or ‘fringes’) common in blue and green screen footage. The IBK, uniquely available in Nuke, delivers substantial time savings when producing high quality composites, and is especially good at keying uneven blue/greenscreens.
Robert Nederhorst, VFX Supervisor at Sway Studio, beta tested the v4.5 release. “My hat is off to the D2 developers on this one; they’ve created some fantastic new features for the 4.5 release. If the workflow and technical updates weren’t enough, they decided to put in completely new keying technology that really makes some serious waves at seriously difficult keying. This release re-affirms our reason for choosing Nuke originally – it truly is built by artists, for artists. The Nuke toolset is absolutely unmatched by any other system out there.”
Already providing capabilities for environment creation and contextual manipulation of 3D elements not found in any other desktop system, Nuke lets users get even further into the 3D toolset in v4.5. Now, 3D objects are more like 2D elements in that they are no longer unchangeable objects – users can apply multiple independent transforms and can have shaders and materials applied directly within Nuke's 3D environment. Not only does this architectural change give artists greater flexibility in manipulating elements in 3D, it also makes the 3D workspace a more responsive and solid platform that will result in accelerated development and integration of new features in the future.
More accessible, to more users
The newest Nuke release is based on a core UI update. V4.5 adds the ability to save UI layouts and introduces a new UI workflow that maximizes efficiency for experienced and new users alike. Updated default settings and a new control panel bin enable new users to manage windows and property dialog boxes using conventions familiar to desktop software users, while long-time Nuke users can opt to work in the ‘traditional’ Nuke mode, to suit a variety of compositing styles. Also, as a result of the core UI update, users can now take any parameter, including range curve displays and dropdown menus, from a ‘group’ of nodes, and include them in a Nuke Gizmo, or custom effect; which gives greater flexibility to technical directors and artists alike. Nuke now supports OSX, as well as providing full support for the OpenFX plug-in architecture, enabling artists to use the full range of effects plug-ins from The Foundry, Primatte, and other providers.
The newest Nuke release is based on a core UI update. V4.5 adds the ability to save UI layouts and introduces a new UI workflow that maximizes efficiency for experienced and new users alike. Updated default settings and a new control panel bin enable new users to manage windows and property dialog boxes using conventions familiar to desktop software users, while long-time Nuke users can opt to work in the ‘traditional’ Nuke mode, to suit a variety of compositing styles. Also, as a result of the core UI update, users can now take any parameter, including range curve displays and dropdown menus, from a ‘group’ of nodes, and include them in a Nuke Gizmo, or custom effect; which gives greater flexibility to technical directors and artists alike. Nuke now supports OSX, as well as providing full support for the OpenFX plug-in architecture, enabling artists to use the full range of effects plug-ins from The Foundry, Primatte, and other providers.
D2 Software product manager, Dominick Spina, said, “As more users join the Nuke community we’re working closely with them to incorporate their feedback. V4.5 takes all the great things about Nuke ‘ the complex 3D setups, TCL scripting across 64 channels, and its superior film production workflow ‘ and makes them more accessible to new users, through UI updates that let them work the way they’re used to. We also put new pricing in place to better reflect the needs of the desktop compositing market and to offer significant volume discounts to the large, multi-seat customers that Nuke was built for.”
Pricing and Availability
Nuke is available for Linux, Irix, Windows and Mac platforms. V4.5 is a no-cost upgrade for customers under current support contracts and available through D2 Software and authorized resellers for $4,995 (software license), with annual maintenance at $999 per year. Additional render nodes are priced at $745 per seat, with annual maintenance at $149 per year. With v4.5, D2 Software now offers new quarterly lease options and volume discounts beginning at five seats, enabling customers who purchase/lease multiple licenses to save significantly on their software license/render node costs per seat. The company also offers discounted educational pricing for qualified institutions. Please contact D2 or authorized resellers for further information.
Nuke is available for Linux, Irix, Windows and Mac platforms. V4.5 is a no-cost upgrade for customers under current support contracts and available through D2 Software and authorized resellers for $4,995 (software license), with annual maintenance at $999 per year. Additional render nodes are priced at $745 per seat, with annual maintenance at $149 per year. With v4.5, D2 Software now offers new quarterly lease options and volume discounts beginning at five seats, enabling customers who purchase/lease multiple licenses to save significantly on their software license/render node costs per seat. The company also offers discounted educational pricing for qualified institutions. Please contact D2 or authorized resellers for further information.
Sections: Business Technology
Topics: Press Release City
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