Autodesk has updated Flame with powerful new machine learning (ML) features and a more tightly integrated toolset, with enhanced support for remote review sessions.
Autodesk has released the latest version of Flame with more than 40 user-driven improvements that aim to simplify the artist’s day-to-day and boost creative collaboration. Central to this is building on Flame’s current ML capabilities that address specific tasks in Flame. This update brings ML to Flame’s core toolset in the form of next-gen camera tracking technology. The new camera tracker delivers remarkable automatic camera solves and 3D geometry output.
Flame artists can now experience next-generation camera tracking using new scene reconstruction algorithms similar to autonomous vehicle smart ‘vision’ and reality capture-type point cloud reconstruction, Flame’s new camera tracker ‘auto masks’ or ignores moveable objects like people, cars, bodies of water, and skies, and focuses the solve on the static scene environment only, so that artists no longer have to spend time manually masking out moving objects to get a reliable result. In many cases, the new camera tracker provides artists with a one-click solution, delivering high-quality results with over 5,000 points in far less time than it would take using previous workflows.
There is also a new integrated finishing toolset. This includes a new creative lookup table (LUT) loader that lets users import an external file-based LUT or color transform from a wide variety of file formats (.3dl .cube .ctf .ccc) directly inside Action and Image toolsets, and apply the ‘look’ to the entire picture or part of it. Additional enhancements include broadened GMask Tracer functionality, expanded support for industry-standard tactile colorist control panels (Arc, Element, Wave 2, Ripple, Element-Vs), and Blackmagic RAW media compatibility.
Additionally, there is NDI video preview streaming so artists can now share high-quality full screen video with creative stakeholders remotely, either over a closed network or public internet, using any NewTek NDI receiver software or device. This new feature is also compatible with webcasting software like OBS Studio and streaming services like YouTube Live, Facebook Live, and Twitch.
“The latest updates to Flame – including new ML-powered camera tracking, an integrated finishing toolset, and enhanced support for remote workflows – are a direct reflection of these efforts and feedback from the Flame community of artists,” commented Will Harris, Flame Family Product Manager, Autodesk.
“Flame has brought forth some fantastic features that I’m very excited to bring to my VFX workflow, including the update to the camera tracker, which will be a game-changer. The ability to generate geometry from point clouds and leverage machine learning in order to accomplish more consistent and powerful results is also a leap that I’m so excited for,” shared VFX Supervisor, Bilali Mack.
For ‘What’s New in Flame’ tune into Autodesk’s Catch Up with Flame Webinar on Wednesday, April 28 from 12-1:30 pm ET/9:30-10:30 am PT. The virtual event will take audiences behind the scenes of the latest release with insight from Autodesk Flame Family Product Manager Will Harris and Alkemy X VFX Supervisor Bilali Mack. LOGIK’s Andy Milkis will also present the 2021 Flame Award nominees and reveal this year’s winner.