Shotgun Software ships Shotgun 8

Shotgun Software has released Shotgun 8, a major update to its cloud-based production tracking system, introducing Shotgun Create, a ‘cloud-connected desktop’ version of its key tools.

The update also overhauls Shotgun’s user interface, and introduces a new dark UI theme.

Shotgun Create: a ‘cloud-connected desktop experience aimed at right-brain thinkers’
The biggest change in Shotgun 8 is the debut of Shotgun Create, intended as a new, more artist-friendly format in which to use its key features.

Described as a “cloud-connected desktop experience”, the feature, which is still in beta, lets users access Shotgun’s playback and review tools through a standalone app rather than a web browser.

Its interface streamlines the process of submitting assets for review and acting on feedback, providing artists with dedicated My Tasks and My Reviews views.

All of the versions and notes attached to a task are collected in a single interface pane, making it easier to see requests for changes in context, and to refer back to previous versions.

Selecting any task in an artist’s queue automatically opens the relevant file in any of the DCC applications with which Shotgun integrates, including 3ds Max, Maya, Houdini, Photoshop and Nuke.

The shot playback system is based on technology from Flame and RV, the desktop media viewer included with Shotgun subscriptions, and can handle both local and remotely streamed videos and image sequences.

New interface design and optional dark UI theme
Aside from Shotgun Create, most of the other changes in Shotgun 8 are visual: the update introduces a “more modern” look for the UI, focusing on use of colour, typography and icon design.

There is also a new optional dark UI theme, which brings Shotgun in line with most of the DCC tools with which it integrates, although the old light UI is still the default.

There are also a few smaller features and bugfixes, which you can find in the online release notes.

Pricing and availability
Shotgun 8 is available now, with pricing depending on the level of customer support: ‘Awesome’ support costs $30/account/month; ‘Super Awesome’ support costs $50/account/month.

Both subscription tiers include image- and sequence-viewing software RV for free.

Read a full list of features in Shotgun 8 on Shotgun Software’s blog