Newest version includes enhanced technology features such as XPU Advancements and Interactive Denoising; core improvements include faster instancing and texture read parallelism and improvements in RenderMan's Stylized Looks toolset for enhanced creative control.
Pixar Animation Studios announced the release of RenderMan version 26, the company’s award-winning technology for rendering animation and visual effects. This latest version introduces groundbreaking features that advance rendering capabilities and streamline workflows for artists.
Key highlights of RenderMan 26 include:
- XPU Advancements: The updates include enhancing light support, camera controls, and adaptive sampling capabilities, resulting in accelerated rendering and improved interactivity.
- Interactive Denoising: The introduction of an interactive version of the machine learning denoiser transforms rendering workflows, reducing iteration times and maintaining image quality during interactive sessions.
Additionally, core improvements such as faster instancing and texture read parallelism ensure optimal performance across various rendering scenarios. RenderMan's Stylized Looks toolset receives improvements, delivering enhanced creative control and a more intuitive user experience.
“We're thrilled to introduce the latest version of RenderMan XPU!” said Pixar Animation Studios vice president Oliver Meiseberg. “It’s going to revolutionize the experience of final frame rendering for many new use cases, allowing artists to bring their visions to life like never before.”
Pixar Animation Studios global technology supervisor Renee Tam added, “Since the Interactive Denoiser has been rolled out in production, most of our lighters have turned it on by default, and some say they’ll never go back again, and they can’t live without this.”
“The Interactive Denoiser has been a lifesaver! I literally can’t not use it,” said Pixar Animation Studios technical director James Lojo. “I love that it helps me get a good judgment for the typical super noisy sources like emission shaders.”
See what’s new in the RenderMan features video:
RenderMan version 26 is now available for download. Visit Pixar’s RenderMan website for additional information.
Source: Pixar
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
