At SIGGRAPH 2017, Blackmagic Design demoed the latest version of their VFX software Fusion 9. The latest version gets new VR tools, planar tracking, state of the art keying plus more, along with a new low price of just $299 for Fusion Studio, while the “non-Studio” Fusion 9 remains a free download.
Fusion 9, represents a major update for the Blackmagic Design visual effects software that is frequently used on major motion pictures and commercials for compositing, 3D and motion graphics. According to BMD, Fusion 9 has been designed to support the latest workflows and features new VR tools, entirely new keyer technology, planar tracking, camera tracking, multi user collaboration tools and more.
The key new functionality in Blacmagic Design Fusion 9 is the new VR toolset that makes it indispensable for virtual reality projects. Users now get a full 360º true 3D workspace, along with a new panoramic viewer and support for popular VR headsets such as Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. Working in VR with Fusion is completely interactive, with GPU acceleration transforming the experience to a super-fast one, users can wear a headset and interact with elements in a VR scene in realtime.
Fusion 9 also supports stereoscopic VR. In addition, the new 360º spherical camera renders out complete VR scenes, all in a single pass and without the need for complex camera rigs.
The new planar tracker in Fusion 9 calculates motion planes for accurately compositing elements onto moving objects in a scene. For example, the new planar tracker can be used to replace signs or other flat objects as they move through a scene. Planar tracking data can also be used on rotoscope shapes. That means you don’t have to manually animate motion, perspective, position, scale or rotation of rotoscoped elements as the image changes.
Fusion 9 also features an entirely new camera tracker that analyzes the motion of a live action camera in a scene and reconstructs the identical motion path in 3D space for use with cameras inside of Fusion. This lets customers composite elements with precisely matched movement and perspective of the original. Fusion will auto analyse the shot and calculate lens focal length and lens distortion.
Another new feature in Fusion 9 is the new delta keyer, which brings state of the art image science to Fusion’s keying tools. In addition to new image science and processing, delta keyer features a complete set of matte finesse controls for creating the cleanest possible keys while preserving fine image detail. There’s also a new clean plate tool that can smooth out subtle color variations on blue and green screens in live action footage, making them easier to key.
For multi user collaboration, Fusion 9 Studio includes Studio Player, a new application that features a playlist, storyboard and timeline for playing back shots. Studio Player can track version history, display annotation notes, has support for LUTs and more.
The new Studio Player can output via Blackmagic DeckLink and UltraStudio devices, making it perfect for customers that need to see shots in a suite or theater for review and approval. Remote synchronization lets customers around the world synchronize Studio Players in multiple locations. In addition, Fusion 9 features a bin server so shared assets and tools don’t have to be copied onto each artist’s local workstation.
In addition to all of the new features, Fusion 9 has more GPU and OpenCL acceleration, making it faster than ever. Fusion 9 also works with additional formats and file types such as DNxHR, MXF and more. This makes it suitable for use in an even broader range of workflows and provides seamless integration with DaVinci Resolve files.
And probably the best part about the latest update is that similar to what they did with the latest version of DaVinci Resolve, Blackmagic Design also announced a price reduction for Fusion Studio from $995 to only $299.
Fore information and to get Fusion 9 head over to Blackmagic Design.
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