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We’re testing early access for animators, VFX artists, and researchers — if you’d like to play with the prototype, hit evolv-labs.com or DM me.

https://redd.it/1o6jfuz
@vfxbackup
Scanning urban space - app recs?

Hello,

I'm starting to do my own research on this but I thought I might ask the question here too:

I have an iPhone pro with LIDAR, and I was wondering if there's any recent recs on apps for 3D scanning urban spaces? think a park, or courtyard? I'm an architecture/urban design student and am hoping to document urban spaces for my thesis!

Most of the apps I've come across so far seem to work best for small object assets or rooms? (could be wrong on that!)

Thanks in advance!

https://redd.it/1o6h2qb
@vfxbackup
New to actually learning VFX, what are and are not ethical uses of AI in the VFX world?

I’ve seen a lot of new features powered by the advanced AI we have now, like using AI to easily mask anything. I’m one of those people that hate using AI for anything art related or even knowledge/work related, but I do know that (obviously) AI has been used for many things in programs like after effects and such for a long time now, long before the generative AI boom.

What kind of generative AI is deemed as “ok” to use (like what existed before the AI craze), as well as those new AI tools that do painstaking work with the click of a button? I’d like to be able to start learning VFX through hard work and effort like yall, but don’t want to not utilize something that everyone is already using because of me being stubborn.

For reference the things I want to learn right now are just how to use clean plates, how to make them if I don’t have one, how to use motion tracking to bring 3D animated characters from blender into live video and use whatever else you’re supposed to do to bring them in (depth maps and masking I think?), how to use green screens, and just basic VFX stuff.

https://redd.it/1o6lznh
@vfxbackup
Bollywood in the UK

The UK government is celebrating the news that three major Bollywood films will be shot in the UK from next year, promising thousands of jobs and millions in investment. But is that really good news for the people who actually work in the British film and VFX industry? In reality, these Indian productions will bring their own crews and use the UK mainly for its locations, studio space, and generous tax breaks. Most of the post-production and VFX work is outsourced back to India anyway, where costs are far lower. That means UK camera crews, editors, and artists get short-term contracts at best, while the real creative and financial value is captured elsewhere.
So while the headlines sound impressive, it’s more accurate to say Britain is renting out its facilities rather than building sustainable employment for its creative workforce. Unless tax reliefs are tied to local hiring or domestic post-production, these “investments” mostly benefit studios and landlords, not the people actually making the films. Good PR? Definitely. Good news for British film workers? Not really.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bollywood-comes-to-britain-three-blockbusters-to-be-made-in-the-uk-from-next-year


https://redd.it/1o6sn7g
@vfxbackup
Best web apps for Visual Effects preproduction and daily work

Hey everyone,

I’m curious to know what small web apps or online tools you find useful in your VFX workflow — especially during preproduction or for solving small daily tasks.

I’m not talking about the big studio platforms like ShotGrid or Ftrack, but rather the simple, focused tools that make your life easier.

For example:

[vfxplatform.com](http://vfxplatform.com) – to check the officially supported software versions for the VFX Reference Platform.
**frame.io** – great for quick video reviews and collaboration.

In software development there are tons of small web apps that make life easier — like JSON visualizers, regex testers, or API playgrounds. I wonder what the equivalent tools are (or could be) for the VFX world — little utilities that help visualize data, test workflows, or simplify common tasks.

Do you use any similar apps that you couldn’t live without?
Or maybe you’ve run into small problems in your daily work that you think could be solved with a simple web app?

Would love to hear your recommendations or ideas!

https://redd.it/1o6sbmn
@vfxbackup
Open Source alternatives to ShotGrid?

Are there any open source alternatives for shotgrid that's out currently? Me and a producer were trying to see if we can move out of flow into something more economy due to the state of all things.

https://redd.it/1o6yshf
@vfxbackup
Scanline VFX rebrands globally as Eyeline

After announcing the closure of their German and Montreal studios, I thought the circus was over. But now they've totally dissolved the Scanline name and identity. WTH?

Why remove the iconic 'Scanline' name and why use their smaller unknown VP / RnD arm as their main identity?

https://redd.it/1o78hri
@vfxbackup
Question for All Remote Artists

When you are forced to use a thin client (mini PC) at home instead of just the teradici software. What do you use to switch all your peripherals between your work computer and your home computer?

I don't want to be having a million cables and switches.

What is the most efficient way?
Any switchless way?

https://redd.it/1o7er6n
@vfxbackup
Need help understanding Ziva plugin installation steps — what do Steps 2 and 3 mean?

Hey, I’m following these installation steps for Ziva plugin in Maya and I’m stuck on Steps 2 and 3.

Instructions:

1. Copy the “Ziva” folder to Program Files.
2. Copy ZivaVFX.mod to Documents\maya\2023\modules.
3. Add MAYA_MODULE_PATH = C:\Program Files\Ziva\VFX\Ziva-VFX-Maya-Module to User Variables (Environment).

My questions:

For Step 2, my version (Maya 2019) didn’t have a “modules” folder, so I just made one and placed the file inside — is that the correct approach?
For Step 3, I’m not sure how to add the MAYA_MODULE_PATH variable — is this done through Windows Environment Variables, or somewhere inside Maya’s preferences?

Appreciate any clarification — I’m just trying to understand what these steps are actually doing.

https://redd.it/1o7iw8g
@vfxbackup
Interview Tips For This Industry


Hi!

Would there be any important interview tips in this field? I’ve had several interviews but I found that often it doesn’t lead to an offer. I was wondering if there are aspects I can improve on.

Do you try to focus on an aspect: such as storytelling/ giving specific examples/ highlighting your specialties / asking specific questions- would there be any tips that you could share?

Or somethings that should be avoided!

Thank you.


https://redd.it/1o7xuvj
@vfxbackup
Lens distortion in FUSION ? How to deal with ?

I'm currently making some tests shot for a short film, and I woul'd like to keep everything inside Resolve and Blender.

So I have a car shot made with a GoPro 9 Superview (HUGE distortion here) and I want to add CGI in it. On my timeline, I can enable lens correction, with undistord, but with zoom and no ability to use it on a VFX pipeline.

On fusion, I can use a Lens distortion Node, but they're no way I can automaticly detect straigt lines like in Nuke.

My last solution woul'd be to use non-commercial Nuke to create all my ST maps and use them with the appropriate reactor node addon.

At least, is there a way to undistord (and redistord) my footage directly inside Fusion ?

Also, is there a bank of ST maps ?

https://redd.it/1o89ggf
@vfxbackup
Anyone in the EU successfully buying Arnold floating licenses in 2025? (startup, cloud, autoscaling)

We’re building a small cloud app around Maya + Arnold. Autoscaling workers → need floating/network licenses. After talking to Autodesk sales and multiple resellers, I still can’t find a clear way to buy and operate Arnold floating licenses in the EU (2025). Feeling frustrated any concrete leads or contacts would be hugely appreciated.

Context
We spin workers up/down by frame ranges and deadlines (ephemeral nodes). Named seats or user sign-in flows don’t fit. A floating pool checked out per render and returned on completion seems like the only sane model.

What I think is true (correct me if wrong):

Multi-user/floating packs exist (5/25/100 seats) and are meant for scale/out usage via Autodesk Network License Manager.
“Cloud Rights” supposedly allow headless/remote batch across machines over the internet sounds aligned with our workload.
License server expects stable identity (MAC/hostname), which gets tricky with containers/ephemeral nodes.
Autodesk Flex tokens don’t cover Arnold (so no burst via Flex).

What I need help with (EU-specific):

1. Where can we actually purchase Arnold floating/network licenses in 2025 (EU)? A reseller or Autodesk channel that understands cloud scenarios.
2. Cloud Rights confirmation: Is spinning up headless Maya/MtoA/Arnold workers, checking out a seat per active render, then returning it fully compliant? Any gotchas?
3. License server in the cloud: Best practices for multi-region autoscaling + ephemeral nodes (MAC/hostname issues, containerization tips).
4. 2025 status check: Any licensing changes/options we should know about especially for startups?

Why floating fits us:
Autoscaling + ephemeral nodes. Buying named seats per VM or GUI sign-in doesn’t map. Floating is the only thing that seems to match the workflow.

I’m posting this with respect but also some frustration as a startup supporting creatives, getting a straight path in the EU has been harder than expected. If you can share reseller names, an Autodesk contact, or a proven setup guide, that would help a ton. DMs welcome if you prefer.

Thanks in advance happy to share more architecture details if useful.

Region: EU
Stack: Maya + MtoA/Arnold, headless workers, autoscaling, container-friendly

https://redd.it/1o8bowv
@vfxbackup
SUGGESTIONS FOR MY REELS

Hello. I'm a VFX student. I'm taking an advanced Nuke course that involves preparing a reel with the guidance of faculty.
I want to focus the reel on a general demonstration of the skills required for compositing and the work done with Nuke: chroma key, projection, rotoscoping, etc.
What are the essential skills I should demonstrate in the reel? Thank you very much in advance.

https://redd.it/1o8c9bx
@vfxbackup
How to integrate Blood? Sliding on face

Hi! I dont have a footage right now, but our idea Is to put some Blood sliding on a face since It got punched on the face but a few drops start sliding. I was trying to integrate on AE, but right now It looks bad. I only usted. Meshwsep, Blood elements of Blood sliding color corrected but looks so off. Mode Is on normal or multiply but multiply of course kills the hoghlights

Thank you! Any guides Will be appreciated

https://redd.it/1o87zca
@vfxbackup
2025/10/21 20:35:59
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