Blackmagic Design has released the stable versions of DaVinci Resolve 18.5 and Fusion Studio 18.5.
Fusion Studio 18.5 now supports Universal Scene Descriptor (USD) files, a feature that is set to streamline collaboration among VFX artists. This means that USD data, including geometry, lighting, cameras, materials, and animation, can be imported into the software. Fusion Studio 18.5 also introduces new USD tools that allow users to manipulate, re-light, and render files using Hydra-based renderers such as Storm. Additionally, the software’s new multi-merge tool enables users to merge multiple media sources into a single multi-layer stack, simplifying the process of creating composites by merging clips, stills, or graphics using layers. Each layer retains its own controls, allowing for adjustments to individual properties like position, size, and apply modes.
DaVinci Resolve 18.5, on the other hand, comes with a host of new features and enhancements. The update includes new AI tools and over 100 new features, with significant additions to the cut page editing toolset, text-based editing, AI dialogue transcription, new Resolve FX, and enhanced Fusion tools. The software now also supports Universal Screen Descriptor, and introduces powerful new Fairlight audio mix automation. The Cut page now includes three new menus, featuring tools to toggle ripple editing, resync audio, and more. Users can also generate captions for timelines with auto speech to text, or search on keywords for faster editing. The Resolve FX relight feature allows colorists to add virtual lighting to a scene, and VFX collaboration is now faster with support for Universal Scene Descriptor files. Furthermore, tracks can be grouped in Fairlight for faster mix automation and editing.
