Autodesk ships Flame 2022
Autodesk has released Flame 2022, the next update to its compositing, finishing and effects software, adding a new machine-learning-based camera tracking system.
The update also extends Flame’s colour grading toolset, and adds support for the NDI protocol, making it easier to carry out client review sessions remotely.
The other products in the Flame family – the two cut-down editions of Flame, Flame Assist and Flare, and colour grading tool Lustre – have also been updated.
New machine-learning-based Camera Analysis node for camera tracking
Autodesk has been steadily rolling out new AI-trained features in Flame ever since Flame 2020, initially for keying footage, or for extracting normal and depth maps from it.
Flame 2022 brings machine learning to Flame’s core toolset, in the shape of the Camera Analysis node: a new 3D tracking system.
It automatically discards ‘bad data’ like people, vehicles and other moving objects that would otherwise have to be manually removed from a standard scene-based solve.
According to Autodesk, the new tracker “provides artists with a one-click solve, delivering … results with over 5,000 points in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional workflows.”
As well as the camera data, the node generates point cloud data and a Z-depth map that can be used to position 3D objects accurately in background footage.
Updates to colour grading
Changes to colour grading workflow include a new Color Management matchbox node, enabling artists to import LUTs or colour transforms directly inside Flame’s Action and Image toolsets.
It is also now possible to add control points to the curves in MasterGrade with a colour picker, and to enable or disable a menu with new LED buttons.
The update also improves support for Tangent’s hardware control panels for color correction work.
Support for the NDI protocol makes it possible to carry out review sessions remotely
In addition, Flame now supports NewTek’s NDI protocol for streaming audio and video across an IP network.
Users can stream footage at up to UHDTV resolution and 60fps, for viewing in Windows or macOS devices.
The system makes it possible for clients to carry out what would have previously been over-the-shoulder review sessions remotely, including over the internet.
It is compatible with webcasting software like OBS Studio, and online streaming services like Twitch.
Pipeline integration and smaller features
Other changes include support for Blackmagic Design RAW (.braw) files and better support for Sony Media.
In addition, Flame has been moved over to Python 3.7, after Python 2 reached its end of life last year.
You can find a list of smaller features and workflow improvements via the links below.
Pricing and availability
Flame 2022 is available for CentOS 7.6/8.2 Linux and macOS 10.14+ on a rental-only basis. Subscriptions cost $550/month or $4,415/year.
Flare 2022 and Flame Assist 2022 are also available for CentOS 7.6/8.2 Linux and macOS 10.14+. Single-user subscriptions cost $2,350/year; multi-user subscriptions cost $4,480/year.
Lustre 2022 is only available on CentOS 7.6. A multi-user subscription costs $8,410/year.
Read an overview of the new features in Flame 2022 on Autodesk’s website
Read a full list of new features in Flame 2022 in the online documentation