Nekki releases Cascadeur 2024.3
Nekki has released Cascadeur 2024.3, the new version of the AI-assisted animation app.
The release adds a new ragdoll physics system, for creating animations in which characters are killed or knocked unconscious, and a live link to Unreal Engine.
Create animations based on real-world physics, aided by AI-based tools
Launched in 2019, Cascadeur is intended as an artist-friendly alternative to conventional animation software for game development, motion graphics or visual effects work.
Although it has standard tools for rigging, posing and animating characters, its unique selling point is a set of AI-assisted, semi-automated toolsets.
Key poses can be quickly established for a character via the AutoPosing system, which lets users reposition a small number of joints, and have Cascadeur take care of the rest of the body.
For a jumping character, the software can then calculate a physically correct trajectory between the key poses.
For other types of motion, a separate AI-trained system, AutoPhysics, converts an existing keyframe animation into a physically accurate version of itself.
Once generated, animations may be exported the FBX, Collada or USD format for use in other DCC applications, or game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine.
Cascadeur 2024.3: new ragdoll phyics system
The major new feature in Cascadeur 2024.3 is ragdoll physics.
Activating the new Ragdoll option in the Physics Settings panel causes the character to go limp, either crumpling to the ground, or being knocked around like a rag doll.
The option makes it possible to create realistic animations in which characters are killed or knocked unconscious, as shown in the video at the top of the story.
The resulting motion is influenced by the character’s pose on entering the ragdoll state, and ragdoll characters can interact with other characters and with scene objects.
Live link to Unreal Engine and updates to key features
Other new features include a new live link to Unreal Engine.
Activating the Live Link option in the Synchronization menu causes changes made in Cascadeur to update automatically in the game engine, without having to export FBX files manually.
In addition, the AutoPosing, Auto Interpolation and Secondary Motion features have all been updated to improve performance and quality of output, with Secondary Motion also now taking account of collisions between characters and other objects.
Other changes include support for negative frame numbers on the timeline, new camera settings, and UI updates. You can find a full list of changes via the link at the foot of the story.
Price, system requirements and release date
Cascadeur 2024.3 is compatible with Windows 10+, Ubuntu 20.04+ Linux and macOS 13.3+.
For users earning under $100,000/year, Indie subscriptions cost $99/year. Pro subscriptions cost $49/month or $399/year and add advanced features.
Both are rent-to-own plans, with users qualifying for a perpetual license after one year.
There is also a free edition, which is not licensed for commercial use, and saves animation in its own .casc file format, making it impossible to use in other DCC apps.
Read a full list of new features in Cascadeur 2024.3 in the release notes
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