We are excited to bring you our latest release which includes:

  • End to End Color Management
  • Optional true HDR Real-time Compositing
  • 3 process Color Grading System
  • Improved Compositing System
  • Improved Video Keyer and Media Input Quality
  • Combined AR and VS compositing
  • Improved Workflows
  • Updated Calibration and Example Projects
  • Native integration with Unreal 4.23.1
  • and much more ...

We are proud to introduce an end to end color management and compositing system that unlocks a true HDR real-time cinematic visual effects compositing workflow. Our new 3 process color grading and improved compositing system completes our unparalleled and easy to use creative pipeline. Tweak to the last minute.

We have incorporated your valuable feedback and further improved workflow and usability. This version offers numerous improvements such as, the ability to import setup configurations, as well as to output the key from the chroma keyer on SDI.

This version gives users access to the full power of the Unreal Engine 4.23.1 including real-time ray tracing.

End to End color management and optional true HDR real-time compositing for advanced users

In Pixotope 1.2 we are proud to introduce an end to end color management system for real-time compositing using CDL, Academy Color Encoding System (ACES) and OpenColorIO. Having a modern color management system readily available is a must for customers looking for an accessible and configurable HDR workflow.

OpenColorIO with ACES support NEW

OpenColorIO (OCIO) is an open-source color pipeline with two major goals: consistent color transforms, and consistent image display, across multi-application cinematic color pipelines.

The Academy Color Encoding System (ACES) is an industry standard for managing color throughout the life cycle of a motion picture or television production. It ensures a consistent color experience that preserves the creative vision and solves the problem of the increasing variety of digital cameras and formats in use.

3 process Color grading system NEW

We have updated our color-grading system to feature 3 independent color correction engines. With a properly color managed system that does all its color processing in scene-referred linear gamma space, we can offer independent color correction for video, graphics and final output without risk of losing fidelity or quality at any step of the process. This makes color grading more intuitive, so you get the result you are looking for more easily.

Improved Compositing system

We are very proud to have the market’s fastest lossless high-end render and compositing pipeline for virtual productions, achieved by our proprietary 1-pass render and compositing technology. And now we make it even easier to use exciting new creative possibilities.

With Pixotope 1.2 we offer an easily accessible true scene-referred linear compositing workflow including SDR to HDR upscaling.

Scene-referred compositing is the most realistic way of compositing video and 3D graphics. It significantly improves

  • Shading, and lighting
  • Motion blur, defocus, image distortion, resizing
  • Anti-aliasing
  • Semi-transparent elements, hair, volumetrics, FX elements, etc

With our improved AR compositing we introduce fine global and per light shadow controls including shadow intensities, luma masking from plate to avoid double shadowing, custom shadow colors and ambient offset to avoid hard shadow intersection. Additionally we allow virtual lights to illuminate your live environment through our light catcher system.

For backwards compatibility you can use the Video space compositing mode. This mode produces results which are identical with legacy video mixing approaches.

Improved Video Keyer and Media Input Quality

Our video pipeline has been improved adding a better luma and spill handling to our video keyer and a higher quality for additional media inputs.

Combined AR and VS compositing NEW

In Pixotope 1.2 we have simplified compositing by removing the difference between AR (Augmented Reality) and VS (Virtual Studio/Set) thereby opening up new creative possibilities when used at the same time within the same level.

Workflow improvements

Import Setup configurations from projects and machines NEW

Pixotope is designed to function in a live production environment which includes a strict separation of configuration between projects. We were too strict about this and have now introduced the ability to import setup configurations from machines and projects directly from within the Director.

Output Chroma keyer key on SDI NEW

Previously, when adjusting and evaluating the key (alpha) produced by the Chromakeyer, you would have to open a diagnostic view in the Editor to see the key separately. In Pixotope, 1.2 you can choose to override the configured output to view the key on the SDI outputs, being able to view the key without having to leave Live mode.

Introducing a Camera Mount GUI NEW

To be able to properly support different types of camera mounts, especially cranes, we have redesigned the camera tracking configuration and calibration panels. We have also focused on trying to make it clearer to the user what the different parameters correspond to in the physical camera system.

Improved performance for Engine API

In Pixotope 1.1 performance degradation was experienced when interacting with certain parts of our Engine API, including some adjustments and operations from Director. In Pixotope 1.2 we have refactored part of our API to correct this and now see a much smaller performance footprint which leads to improved performance when interacting with the Engine from Director or a third party integration.

Improved Control Panel

We have cleaned up the interface and made it easier to use and more reactive. With smaller widget sizes you are now able to pack even more widgets on to one panel.

Updated Calibration and Example projects

As part of Pixotope 1.2, we have updated our included calibration project and added a new section to the user’s Cloud pages where you can download our updated examples projects for Pixotope. There we are sharing 3 of our own demo projects that showcase some of the capabilities of the software including

  • Fully rigged and textured AR character
  • Fully functional Virtual Interior Studio
  • Exterior virtual environment with weather effects

All projects include animations and their own control panel for you to play with.

Unreal Engine 4.23.1

Pixotope 1.2 offers native integration with Unreal 4.23.1. Among a wide range of new features, here are the highlights we think you find particularly useful as a Pixotope user:

  • Chaos - Destruction (Beta)
  • Real-Time Ray Tracing Improvements (Beta)
  • Virtual Texturing (Beta)
  • Animation Streaming (Experimental)
  • Sequencer Curve Editor Improvements (Beta)
  • Editor Performance Improvements
  • Python Import/Export FBX
  • Pro Video Codecs

For a complete changelog please 

  1. Log in to the user section of the → Pixotope Cloud 
  2. Go to Downloads