Adobe releases Substance 3D Stager 3.1 in beta
The composition of images generated by Substance 3D Stager’s Generative Background text-to-image system can now be guided by placeholder 3D objects in a scene.
Adobe has released Substance 3D Stager 3.1, the latest version of its scene layout and rendering software, in beta.
The update adds new generative AI features, including the option to use 3D objects to guide the composition of images generated by Substance 3D Stager’s Generative Background feature, and a complete new text-to-3D system, intended for generating background objects.
An intuitive way for less specialist 3D artists to create virtual product photographs
Launched in 2021, Substance 3D Stager is a shot layout and rendering application.
Aimed at designers as well as specialist 3D artists, it is intended to provide an intuitive workflow for creating photorealistic brand visualisations and product mockups.
Users can lay out scenes using physics-based tools to place assets, and pick from libraries of readymade materials and ‘environment stages’ mimicking real-world studio lighting.
Use placeholder 3D images to guide Generative Background
The update builds on the new generative AI features introduced in Substance 3D Stager 3.0, which added new text-to-image system Generative Background.
Substance 3D Stager 3.1 adds the option to use placeholder 3D objects in a scene to guide the composition of the background image generated.
It is also now possible to generate non-background images using a similar workflow.
New text-to-3D system for background models and props
There is also a new text-to-3D system – to our knowledge, the first time one has been released publicly in an Adobe application or the web version of Firefly, its generative AI toolset.
There is little information in the release notes, and Adobe doesn’t seem to have released any images of its raw output, so it’s difficult to assess the quality of the models generated.
However, it’s described as being intended as “background objects and props”, so presumably, they’re fairly low-resolution.
We’ve contacted Adobe to ask for more information about the feature itself, and the data set on which the AI model was trained, and will update if we hear back.
Match Image now generates a 360-degree environment light
Other changes include update to Match Image, which automatically matches the camera perspective and lighting of a 3D scene to a background image.
The feature now creates a panoramic 360-degree environment from the background image, using it to provide more accurate ambient lighting and reflections in the scene.
It is possible to export the background light in PSD or EXR format.
Workflow improvements include in-viewport camera controls, and a new contextual taskbar, for quick access to common controls.
It is also now possible to render images in JPG format as well as the other standard file formats supported, and to import and export 8K textures in Substance 3D SBSAR materials.
Price, system requirements and release date
Substance 3D Stager 3.1 is compatible with Windows 10+ and macOS 12.0+.
The software is now rental-only, Adobe having discontinued the old Steam perpetual license at the start of the year.
It is available as part of Adobe’s Substance 3D Collection subscriptions, which cost $49.99/month or $549.88/year for individuals; $1,198.88/year for studios.
Read a full list of new features in Substance 3D Stager in the online release notes
Have your say on this story by following CG Channel on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). As well as being able to comment on stories, followers of our social media accounts can see videos we don’t post on the site itself, including making-ofs for the latest VFX movies, animations, games cinematics and motion graphics projects.