VizWorld.com

The Foundry dropped news today of a new tool in their collection called ‘Katana’, a 3d scene preparation tool that operates non-destructively and interactively on even very large datasets.  Originally developed by Sony Imageworks for use in films like Beowulf, it’s now in use by several studios.

“Many brilliant technical innovations come out of production, but historically those breakthroughs remain only within the production company.  The Foundry works with digital studios to make those innovations widespread, which benefits the entire industry.  I look for KATANA to have a similar impact on the industry that Nuke has achieved.” – Cliff Plumer, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Domain.

Expect commercial release in 2011.

via CGSociety – KATANA.

Graphics foundry, katana, software, thefoundry

A huge announcement from the Visual Effects industry today, Sony Pictures Imageworks will work with Foundry to combine their proprietary technologies.  Imageworks is bringing their proprietary lighting software “Katana” to the table, while Foundry is of course bringing their compositing system “Nuke”.  But the deal won’t benefit just the two of them:

Bill Collis, CEO of the Foundry, told Daily Variety: “The most likely course is (Katana) will be integrated into Nuke over time. Nothing dramatic is going to happen in the short term, but over a period of years, we’ll incorporate these Katana technologies into Nuke.”

A new version of Nuke including Furnace plugins and features is expected before year’s end.

via Imageworks tools deal with Foundry – Entertainment News, Film News, Media – Variety.

Graphics foundry, imageworks, katana, nuke, software