Ananda Arasu
The VRED 2021 release focused its efforts on Rendering and Collaboration. These two areas are among the most integral to do the work you do, and we believe in keeping you connected and working as efficiently as possible. The 2021 release included the addition of GPU raytracing, a packable VRED scene executable in VRED Go, and the ability to view VRED on web or mobile device with VRED Stream.
And now it’s time for the added value of your subscription—the first of our updates, VRED 2021.1, released on July 31st. This update includes 8 new features, 38 improvements, and 59 fixes.
What are they? Read on and check out the videos below for more details.
In this release, we focused on improvements to our UV Editor, additional capabilities to our Rendering engine, enhancements to the Stream application, and mixed reality support.
Newly redesigned UV Editor
In the VRED 2021.1 release, the UV Editor was given a complete overhaul. The new improvements and enhancements include an easier and more precise unfolding of UV maps, one-click auto unfold, and the ability to leverage the best-in-class unfold algorithm. Oh, and it’s also easy to automate.
The powerful UV Editor, which produces more Maya-like results, is now available in VRED Design as well. The features and functionality in this new UV Editor will give you more flexibility, efficiency, and control in working with textures.
Improved quality and defined renders
We have introduced several techniques—Quasi-Monte Carlo Sampling, AI Denoiser Improvements, for example—that can improve sampling and raytracing for better render quality.
And because we know how much rendering matters to your creativity, iteration, and collaboration, we’ve also made improvements to the newly introduced GPU raytracing functionality. These include better utilization of a GPU cluster and support for Lensflare.
Flexibility in collaboration
VRED Stream’s style and options have been improved, offering you unique flexibility based on your window size and browser options, as well as your connectivity.
Mixed Reality for Design Review and Collaboration
You’re likely familiar with your ability to review and collaborate virtually in VRED. With our 2021.1 release, we’ve added support for Mixed Reality, through the Varjo XR-1 Mixed Reality device.
Mixed reality gives you the ability to view a rendering in your own real-world environment. You can communicate with others in the room, as well as review digital and physical prototypes right next to each other. It’s as good (maybe better) as being in the same physical location.
With Varjo’s XR-1 Mixed Reality device, your model is rendered into an environment created from your real-world variables—lighting, structures, etc. The image above was from the perspective of the Mixed Reality headset: this is what you would see wearing this headset. This increases the realism of the rendered image, making your design reviews more insightful.
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UV editing, better rendering, increased connectivity, and mixed reality reviews are all part of the VRED 2021.1 release. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for insight into how Mixed Reality for Design Review really works, as we release a video that we’ve made with Varjo.
In the meantime, download the 2021.1 release and start creating.