Visual effects software developer, The Foundry, has released MARI 1.4v3 – the latest update to its cutting-edge texture and matte painting tool for 3D artists.
The new release features several fixes and tweaks and includes a host of upgrades that current users have requested. Many of the changes are designed to help artists immerse themselves in the creative painting process without being held back by unfamiliar surroundings and monotonous manual tasks.
A number of additional functions are now included to remove unnecessary manual work and free up more time for artists to focus on their craft. These include linked patches, which allow users to easily replicate texture data across patches without having to cut and paste, as well as a new cancel functionality that lets artists undo long running operations at the touch of a button.
Customization settings have also been expanded in MARI 1.4v3. Preset navigation modes now allow users to replicate the feel of other familiar packages including Autodesk Maya, Side Effects Houdini as well as The Foundry’s NUKE. This addition is designed to help users that are accustomed to the interface of a specific package.
“We are always looking at ways to make MARI easier for artists to use,” explained MARI product manager, Jack Greasley. “A really key feature of this upgrade was to allow MARI users to match the feel of their favorite application. We want artists to be able to effortlessly utilize MARI’s full potential rather than having to learn a new way of navigating their scene. Small details like a particular shortcut key being different in MARI to what they are used to in Maya or NUKE is a big deal to artists.”
Brand new tint and stencil options in the MARI paint-through mode have also been introduced, giving artists more flexibility.
“Many elements of this upgrade are in direct response to current client requests, and will benefit everyone who adopts MARI going forwards,” said Greasley. “We will continue to make improvements and develop MARI to be the product that artists need to enable them to focus on creativity as the industry around them continually evolves.”
MARI 1.4v3 New Features Video from Hieronymus Foundry on Vimeo.
