Imageworks tools deal with Foundry
Duo move forward in field of software tools
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Under the pact, Imageworks will adopt the Foundry's compositing software, Nuke, and the Foundry will gain access to Imageworks' proprietary lighting software, Katana.
The Foundry is a spinoff of Digital Domain, which originally developed Nuke, and DD still uses the software.
Industrial Light & Magic and Weta Digital have also adopted Nuke. With Imageworks as the fourth major vfx studio to adopt Nuke, the software is well on its way to becoming a de facto industry standard.
Apple's Shake had been a major competitor to Nuke but Apple discontinued it earlier this year.
Bill Collis, CEO of the Foundry, told Daily Variety: "The most likely course is (Katana) will be integrated into Nuke over time. Nothing dramatic is going to happen in the short term, but over a period of years, we'll incorporate these Katana technologies into Nuke."
The shift toward industry-standard tools supports the production-staffing model Imageworks is embracing, where artists are hired for individual projects and released when the show is over. Such an approach requires a pool of artists who can step in to work on short notice without extensive software training.
With Katana becoming part of a commercial product, many more artists will have the opportunity to use it before being hired by Imageworks.
The Foundry plans to release a new version of Nuke, incorporating Furnace plug-ins and other features, before year's end.
