Blackmagic Design today announced that Fusion – visual effects software – is now available on the Linux platform. Linux is extremely popular in the world’s leading visual effects production companies and this new Linux release can be a major announcement for the visual effects industry.
This new Linux version of Fusion and Fusion Studio means VFX artists can select their preferred computing platform, as Fusion is now available on Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. All project files are common, so customers can work collaboratively, even when different artists are running different platforms on the same job.
In addition to the Fusion on Linux announcement, Blackmagic Design has also announced that Fusion 8.2 will be available as a free software download, so customers can download the software and use it for real work right now. The Fusion 8.2 software is public beta and available on the Blackmagic Design web site.
This free version of Fusion can be used on any commercial production without restriction, however the paid edition of Fusion software, called Fusion 8.2 Studio, provides more features. Fusion Studio customers will get unlimited free render nodes and other multi user features. Fusion Studio’s paid license states that there will be no ongoing subscription, cloud licensing, maintenance fees or additional render node costs.
With full native support of Linux, Mac OS X and Windows, studios can run Fusion projects and workflows in mixed OS environments and easily integrate Fusion in existing studio pipelines using Python and Lua scripting. In addition, Fusion projects can be moved between the Mac, Windows and Linux versions so users can work on the platform of their choice, or even in studios with mixed platforms.
Fusion has been one of Hollywood’s leading visual effects and motion graphics tools for over 25 years, and has been used on thousands of feature film and television projects, including blockbusters like Thor, Live Die and Repeat, the Hunger Games trilogy, The Martian and more.
Fusion can also import 3D models, point cloud data, cameras or even entire 3D scenes from Maya, 3ds Max or Lightwave and render them seamlessly with other elements. Deep pixel tools can be used to add volumetric fog, lighting and reflection mapping of rendered objects using world position passes so customers can create amazing atmospheric effects that render in seconds, instead of hours.
Since acquiring Fusion two years ago, Blackmagic Design engineers have massively updated the Fusion codebase making it easier for new users to learn, while maintaining the consistency and familiar workflow that long time users expect.
“Fusion 8.2 on Linux gives visual effects and motion graphics artists working in facilities of any size a massive tool set,” said Blackmagic Design, CEO, Grant Petty. “Fusion is the only integrated 3D compositing application that can also render 3D models, add volumetric effects, particles and even motion graphics. The most exciting part is that Linux users can download it today free! Then, once our customers grow, they can then purchase Fusion 8.2 Studio without the cost of ongoing subscriptions or render licensing so they can build huge multi-node render farms to speed up their work at no additional charge!”
Fusion 8 is available in two editions:
Fusion 8 for Mac and Windows is free for customers and is now available to download from the Blackmagic Design website. Fusion 8 is a full professional 3D visual effects and compositing system that is suitable for independent effects, motion graphics, and broadcast design artists. Fusion 8 features integrated 2D and 3D compositing and motion graphics software with a massive toolset featuring paint, rotoscope, titling, animation, multiple keyers, an amazing 3D particle system, advanced key-framing, GPU acceleration, and support for importing and rendering 3D models and scenes from other applications.
Fusion 8 Studio is available for $995 and has all of the same features as the free version, but also adds advanced optical flow image analysis tools for stereoscopic 3D work, retiming and stabilization. Fusion Studio also includes support for third-party OpenFX plugins, unlimited distributed network rendering, and Generation for studio wide multi user collaboration to track, manage, review and approve shots when working with large creative teams on complex projects. Fusion 8 Studio is also available in multi user licenses starting from $8,955 for the 10 user license, $17,895 for the 20 user license and $44,495 for the 50 user license from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.