Jim Thacker

Bath

Freelance Writer at Freelance

Editor at CG Channel

Hat lover, amateur mycologist, hack.

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Articles

Maxon releases Cinema 4D 2025.3 with GPU liquid simulation

1 week ago | cgchannel.com | Jim Thacker

Maxon has released Cinema 4D 2025.3, the latest version of its 3D software for motion graphics, VFX and visualization work. It’s a significant update, adding a GPU-accelerated liquid simulation system, support for UDIMs and texel densities, AI search in the Asset Browser, and native support for Laubwerk plants.
Epic Games releases RealityScan 2.0 and RealityScan Mobile 1.7

1 week ago | cgchannel.com | Jim Thacker

Epic Games has released RealityScan 2.0, the latest version of its professional desktop photogrammetry software, formerly known as RealityCapture. The update adds AI-based mask generation, support for aerial Lidar data, and new visual tools for troubleshooting scan quality. The firm’s free mobile photogrammetry app for Android and iOS, now known as RealityScan Mobile, has also been updated, with version 1.7 adding automatic object masking.
Adobe releases Photoshop 26.8

1 week ago | cgchannel.com | Jim Thacker

Adobe has released Photoshop 26.8, the latest version of the image-editing software, widely used in the entertainment industry for concept art, texture editing, and retouching renders. The update adds a new Dynamic Text system, with text automatically resizing and reflowing to fit any bounding box, and support for the AVIF and JPEG XL file formats.
Alexey Vanzhula releases Modeler 2025.2 for Houdini

1 week ago | cgchannel.com | Jim Thacker

Highlights of the new features from the 2025.1 and 2025.2 updates to Modeler for Houdini. Alexey Vanzhula has released Modeler 2025.2, the latest version of his popular hard surface modelling toolkit for Houdini, Side FX’s 3D software for VFX, motion graphics and games. A classic hard surface modeling toolkit for HoudiniFirst released in 2018 under the name Direct Modeling HDA, Modeler is a ‘classic modelling environment’ for Houdini, intended to make workflow more like that in other DCC apps.
Chaos releases Corona 13 for 3ds Max and Cinema 4D

1 week ago | cgchannel.com | Jim Thacker

Chaos has released Corona 13, the latest version of its production renderer for architectural visualization and portfolio rendering in 3ds Max and Cinema 4D. The update adds a new toon shading system for creating stylized renders, adds support for rendering animation with Vantage Live Link, and integrates the Chaos AI Enhancer into Corona.
Wacom announces new Cintiq 16 and Cintiq 24 pen displays

1 week ago | cgchannel.com | Jim Thacker

Wacom has announced the latest models in its Cintiq range of professional pen displays: an updated version of the 16-inch Cintiq 16, and the new 24-inch Cintiq 24 and Cintiq 24 Touch. The first update to the Cintiq product line in five years reduces the size of the displays, increases their screen resolution and color gamut, and updates them to the Wacom Pro Pen 3.
Marmoset releases Toolbag 5.02 in beta

1 week ago | cgchannel.com | Jim Thacker

Marmoset has released the first public beta of Toolbag 5.02, the latest version of its real-time rendering and look dev tool. The update adds a number of new texturing features, including a dedicated Decal layer type, a new Smudge tool, and an interesting Tile Strip system for creating tube-like forms. Other changes include support for low-to-low-poly texture baking, ray traced fog, and a new hotkey editor.
Left Angle closes: Autograph goes off sale, staff join Maxon

1 week ago | cgchannel.com | Jim Thacker

Left Angle, developer of motion design tool Autograph, has shut down. The Left Angle website is offline, and Autograph is no longer available on resellers’ websites. Left Angle’s staff have now joined Maxon, developer of Cinema 4D and the Red Giant plugins. The company’s license servers also went offline with the company’s closure, leaving Autograph users unable to launch the software, but as of last Friday, a workaround is available.
Adobe releases After Effects 25.3

1 week ago | cgchannel.com | Jim Thacker

After Effects now lets you zoom in smoothly in the Composition, Layer and Footage panels. Adobe has released After Effects 25.3, the latest version of the compositing software for motion graphics, post-production and VFX work. The update makes it possible to zoom in smoothly within compositions, rather than in fixed increments, plus the option to show the current project file within your computer’s file explorer.
Download Unreal Engine 2D animation plugin Odyssey for free

1 week ago | cgchannel.com | Jim Thacker

Epic Games has made Odyssey, Praxinos’s 2D animation plugin for Unreal Engine, available for free through Fab, its online marketplace. The software – which can be used for storyboarding or texturing 3D models as well as creating 2D animation – is available for free indefinitely, and will continue to be updated.