The latest release of Mari, version 7.0, introduces a series of new features and enhancements aimed at improving the workflow for artists. A significant addition is the Bakery, Mari’s own map baking engine, enabling the creation of geometry maps, including curvatures and occlusions, directly within Mari. This eliminates the need for separate applications or plugins, allowing for uninterrupted artistic workflows.
Workflow improvements are evident in the Node Graph, where artists can now sever connections and disconnect nodes more intuitively. These enhancements focus on optimizing the artist’s experience and streamlining their creative process. The update also includes over 60 new grunge maps from Mari expert Johnny Fehr, further Python scripts, and new procedural tools, expanding the texturing capabilities and supporting day-to-day artistry.
Mari 7.0 also introduces automatic project backups, allowing artists to save and revert to any stage of their work. This feature includes API support for note-adding, facilitating easier navigation through project iterations. Furthermore, improvements in USD support, primarily through the revamping of the USD importer, aim to reduce pipeline friction and enhance user-friendliness in asset transfer.
Collaboration with rendering partners has led to updates in Chaos V-Ray and Autodesk Arnold shaders, ensuring consistency between Mari previews and final renders. Additionally, team licensing is now available, enabling organization admins to manage Mari license usage more efficiently, aligning with artists’ needs.
To learn more about Mari 7.0 and its features, visit the Foundry website.
