D2’s Nuke is a high-end compositing application with a 3D workspace that, unlike Adobe After Effects, Apple Motion or Autodesk Combustion, allows the direct import of 3D objects in the .obj format – real 3D objects within the 3D space with no plug-ins. Nuke also allows projection mapping, 3D camera import from all industry-standard trackers and more 3D functions, in addition to lighting and compositing tools for use within the space. Nuke began as the in-house compositing and effects application at Digital Domain, where it won an Academy Award® for Technical Achievement and has generated effects for over 40 feature films and hundreds of commercials and music videos.
Version 4.5 adds a new image-based keyer that D2 claim is a “unique and flexible method” for pulling high quality keys. The new keyer allows artists to work on each color channel individually for greater creative flexibility and includes specialized tools to deal with matte edges and fringing.
Nuke 4.5 is based on a core User Interface update and introduces the ability to save layouts and a new workflow with the option to revert to the traditional Nuke interface. As a result of the UI update, users can take any parameter, including range displays and dropdown menus, from a ‘group’ of nodes, and include them in a Nuke Gizmo, or custom effect.
Nuke 4.5 now supports OS X, as well as providing full support for the OpenFX plug-in architecture, enabling artists to use the full range of effects plug-ins from The Foundry, Primatte, and other providers. Nuke is available for Linux, Irix, Windows and Mac platforms. Version 4.5 is a no-cost upgrade for customers under current support contracts and available through D2 Software and authorized resellers for $4,995 (software license), with annual maintenance at $999 per year. Additional render nodes are priced at $745 per seat, with annual maintenance at $149 per year.
