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New features in the latest version of Epic Games' game engine and development tools include: compile times for programmers reduced by up to 50%, ability to reload content while Unreal Editor is running, reroute nodes in Materials, new Blendspace Editor, Texture Streaming system overhauled, animation blending now possible in Sequencer, developing for Nintendo Switch available as experimental, GPS data now accessible on IOS and Android, HDR display output available in an experimental state, and the ability to use Playstation VR Aim Controllers is also added. Read the full release notes on Unreal Engine's website.

Serif has made available trial versions of Affinity Photo and Designer for Windows. According to the company, the "response to the launch of Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo for Windows has been phenomenal, better than we ever could have predicted". Two more applications are in the works: Affinity Publisher, a desktop publishing software, which is expected to be released as public beta during this year, and a Digital Asset Management tool. More on Affinity's blog.

ZBuilder is a plugin by Tsvetomir Georgiev for ZBrush designed for simplifying the creation of human-like characters. It makes it easy to morph, pose and render a character using a series of adjustable parameters for customizing the included models via morph targets. More on ZBrushCentral.

8monkey Labs has released v3.02 of its physically-based realtime model viewer and presentation software. New features include: material animation support, new refraction shader, EXR output for screenshots and animation, smart texture loading, improved baker, etc. More on Marmoset's website

New features in Allegorithmic's texturing tool include filters dedicated to scan processing, Curve Node, Text Node, 32-bit floating point compositing and improved bakers to support up to 8K bakes and non-uniform (non-square) ratios. More on Allegorithmic's website.

New features in Andersson Technologies' camera tracking software include: (more...)

Toon Boom Animation has released v5.5 of its storyboarding software that offers camera controls, 3D models import and collaboration tools. New features include: (more...)

A word of caution from Sydney-based VFX Supervisor Scott Geersen that reminds us that technology can negatively affect people's happiness, and is in fact doing so for many people around the world who display symptoms of addiction to social networks and being connected to the net. "Signal/Void is about a darker view of the networks we belong to and take part in every day: some voluntary, some unseen. The mechanisms of these networks are designed to keep us plugged in by delivering stories, information and images - hopes and dreams - that directly feed our own desires and version of reality.
But the cold truth is that the ultimate goal is often the collection, quantification, analysis and storage of our very selves, and so these networks are carefully maintained to best keep us blindly acquiescent. The system is addictive and hard to escape. It sucks up time, closes our eyes to the world around us, and blinds us to true human connection." Created for Pause Fest 2017 using Cinema 4D, Octane Render and After Effects. Watch it on Vimeo.

Stanford professor Ron Fedkiw has updated his website with videos of his team's research on real-time interactive tree simulations. More on Stanford.edu.

Jeff Patton has posted an article that compares the workflows of various renders for incorporating CG elements into a backplate in one render, along with their pros and cons. More on Jeff Patton's website.