Monday, July 22nd, 2019 Posted by Jim Thacker

Quixel releases Mixer 2019.2


Quixel has released Mixer 2019.2, the latest update to its work-in-progress material-authoring tool, currently available as a free beta.

The update adds a new Scatter modifier, a new set of layer blending modes, and an undo/redo system.

A next-gen tool for creating PBR materials by blending 3D scan data
First released in beta last year, Mixer began as a companion app for subscribers to Quixel’s Megascans library of 3D scan data: the original name for the software was Megascans Studio.

Over the course of the year, it evolved into a more broadly featured tool for blending 3D scan data from any source to create new materials.

The software uses a non-destructive layer-based workflow, and includes a brush-based toolset for multi-channel painting and sculpting, outputting standard texture maps at up to 32-bit resolution.

New Scatter and updated Pattern modifier generate randomised distributions
New features in Mixer 2019.2 include a Scatter modifier, intended for distributing objects like leaves, twigs or stones over the surface of a material.

Objects can be distributed on a grid, or in random patterns, with controls for density and to vary the rotation, size and brightness of individual objects.

The existing Pattern modifier, which generates tiling patterns, has also been updated, and gets similar options to vary the size, angle and brightness of each pattern cell.

New layer blending modes and an experimental undo stack
Other new features include a set of blending modes for layers.

There are currently 11 in total, mainly basic operations like Add, Subtract, Multiply and Divide, but there is also a more unusual Distort mode, which distorts the edges of shapes based on grayscale values.

Suggested use cases include creating edge wear and edge damage effects.

The update also “finally” adds an undo/redo system, described as “still experimental”. Quixel’s blog post doesn’t list the maximum size of the undo stack, but we managed to undo 25 operations without problems.

Pricing and system requirements
Mixer is now available as a free beta for Windows and Mac OS X. The beta period is expected to last for “most of this year”.

The software is also still available as part of Quixel’s Megascans subscription, with prices ranging from $29/month for Personal plans to just under $12k/year for Business plans.

Read more about the new features in Mixer 2019.2 on Quixel’s blog

Download Mixer for free from Quixel’s website