Pairing will allow users to work with multiple VFX applications in the cloud.
Foundry has teamed up with Google Cloud Platform for its new cloud-based production tool Athera.
LONDON -- Foundry has announced Google Cloud Platform will be the underlying cloud-service provider for Athera -- known in beta as Project Elara -- the cloud-based technology tipped to transform visual effects workflows.
“The partnership with Google has enabled us to build an industry-leading tool in cloud technology,” says Craig Rodgerson, CEO at Foundry. “Google Cloud’s capabilities provide Foundry with the infrastructure needed to scale up Athera and realize our goal of providing an end-to-end cloud services solution for VFX studios everywhere.”
Athera will be hosted on Google Cloud Platform, incorporating Google’s unrivalled GPU, networking and storage capabilities. It enables VFX studios and freelancers to move their entire pipeline into the cloud. Athera centralizes storage, creative tools and pipeline in one place, giving users on-demand and flexible access to their preferred industry tools, including the Nuke family, Katana, Modo, Mari, Cara VR, V-Ray, Houdini and Blender.
“Many of our customers have shared their enthusiasm about how cloud technology can transform their workflows,” says Jon Wadelton, chief technology officer at Foundry. “Working alongside Google Cloud, we will be able to open up new doors for studios and freelancers to access industry leading tools from any location, on flexible terms which are better suited to the ebb and flow of their business needs.”
“We are excited to be partnering with Foundry on the development of Athera,” says Adam Massey, director of strategic technology partners at Google Cloud. “We are looking forward to seeing how Foundry’s capabilities can open up new opportunities for the VFX industry.“
In addition to its networking and storage capabilities, Google Cloud Platform provides essential security for its users. Premier media and entertainment cyber security firm, Independent Security Evaluators has been engaged to provide the security audit for Athera. ISE performs rigorous, manual security assessments, and serve as trusted advisors to many of the major industry content owners. They have advised industry associations Motion Picture Association of America and Content Delivery & Security Association on numerous initiatives, primarily related to application security.
Studios and artists will be able to request an Athera trial starting April 26, as the platform prepares for its commercial launch.
Sign up at https://imagine.foundry.com/athera_launch_announcement to get news about the upcoming launch.
Source: Foundry
Tom McLean has been writing for years about animation from a secret base in Los Angeles.
