--- title: VFX, CGI & Animation News | CinemaEngineer description: Latest VFX, CGI, 3D, 2D animation and filmmaking software news, releases, updates and industry developments from CinemaEngineer. --- [![Texture created with Mari 8.0 Beta 2](https://cinemaengineer.com/images/news/2026/mari-8-beta/mari-8-beta2.jpg)](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/mari-8-0v1-beta-2-released) ## [Mari 8.0v1 Beta 2 Released](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/mari-8-0v1-beta-2-released) [News](https://cinemaengineer.com/news) 04 October 2026 Foundry has released the experimental **Mari 8.0v1 Beta 2** for testing and feedback. Rather than focusing on a single major feature, this release introduces a broad set of practical improvements aimed at making the everyday workflow of Mari artists simpler, faster, and more intuitive. [Read more …](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/mari-8-0v1-beta-2-released) [![TVPaint Animation 12.1.0 Released with Tools & Workflow Improvements](https://cinemaengineer.com/images/news/2026/tvpaint-animation-12.1-3.jpg)](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/tvpaint-animation-12-1-0-released-with-tools-workflow-improvements) ## [TVPaint Animation 12.1.0 Released with Tools & Workflow Improvements](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/tvpaint-animation-12-1-0-released-with-tools-workflow-improvements) [News](https://cinemaengineer.com/news) 25 August 2026 TVPaint has released **TVPaint Animation 12.1.0**, the first major update for the TVPaint Animation 12 generation. The release introduces a new Timesheet Panel and brings a wide range of improvements to the Timeline, Storyboard, Camera, Library, Rigging, Interface, Export, and other areas of the 2D animation workflow. [Read more …](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/tvpaint-animation-12-1-0-released-with-tools-workflow-improvements) [![DaVinci Resolve 21.1: AI Assistants, 25+ New Fusion Tools & Major Workflow Upgrades](https://cinemaengineer.com/images/news/2026/davinci-21.1/davinci-resolve-21-1.jpg)](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/davinci-resolve-21-1-ai-assistants-25-new-fusion-tools-major-workflow-upgrades) ## [DaVinci Resolve 21.1: AI Assistants, 25+ New Fusion Tools & Major Workflow Upgrades](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/davinci-resolve-21-1-ai-assistants-25-new-fusion-tools-major-workflow-upgrades) [News](https://cinemaengineer.com/news) 08 September 2026 Blackmagic Design has released **DaVinci Resolve 21.1**, a major update to its all-in-one post-production platform for editing, visual effects, motion graphics, color grading, audio post-production, and now still photography. [Read more …](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/davinci-resolve-21-1-ai-assistants-25-new-fusion-tools-major-workflow-upgrades) [![Nuke 17.1 Released: A Major Step Toward a Unified 2D and 3D VFX Workflow](https://cinemaengineer.com/images/news/2026/Nuke-17.1.jpg)](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/nuke-17-1-released-a-major-step-toward-a-unified-2d-and-3d-vfx-workflow) ## [Nuke 17.1 Released: A Major Step Toward a Unified 2D and 3D VFX Workflow](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/nuke-17-1-released-a-major-step-toward-a-unified-2d-and-3d-vfx-workflow) [News](https://cinemaengineer.com/news) 22 August 2026 Foundry has officially released **Nuke 17.1**, bringing a major collection of updates to Nuke, Nuke Studio, and Hiero. Released on **August 20, 2026**, the new version continues Foundry’s push toward a more integrated 2D and 3D compositing environment, with a particular focus on **USD, Hydra 2.0, Gaussian Splats, modern camera formats, and production review workflows**. [Read more …](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/nuke-17-1-released-a-major-step-toward-a-unified-2d-and-3d-vfx-workflow) [![Redshift 2026.8 Released with New Scratches Shader and Cloud Enhancements](https://cinemaengineer.com/images/news/2026/redshift2026.8.1.jpg)](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/redshift-2026-8-released-with-new-scratches-shader-and-cloud-enhancements) ## [Redshift 2026.8 Released with New Scratches Shader and Cloud Enhancements](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/redshift-2026-8-released-with-new-scratches-shader-and-cloud-enhancements) [News](https://cinemaengineer.com/news) 27 August 2026 Maxon has released **Redshift 2026.8**, the latest feature-focused update to its GPU-accelerated renderer, bringing new procedural shading capabilities and improvements for creating atmospheric environments and surface detail. Released on **July 22, 2026**, Redshift 2026.8 introduces a new **Scratches shader node**, giving artists a more direct procedural approach to generating surface wear and fine scratch patterns. The addition is particularly useful for materials that need subtle imperfections, abrasion, or repeated surface detail without relying entirely on painted textures. [Read more …](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/redshift-2026-8-released-with-new-scratches-shader-and-cloud-enhancements) [![Houdini 22 Released with Enhancements to VFX Workflows and World-Building](https://cinemaengineer.com/images/news/2026/houdini-22.jpg)](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/houdini-22-released-with-enhancements-to-vfx-workflow-and-world-building) ## [Houdini 22 Released with Enhancements to VFX Workflows and World-Building](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/houdini-22-released-with-enhancements-to-vfx-workflow-and-world-building) [News](https://cinemaengineer.com/news) 22 July 2026 **SideFX has officially released Houdini 22**, bringing a broad set of new tools and workflow improvements across procedural modeling, character animation, VFX, look development, world building and rendering. Houdini 22.0.368, the official Gold Release, became available on **July 15, 2026**. The new release focuses on making procedural workflows faster and more flexible while introducing new technologies such as **Gaussian Splats**, expanded **Copernicus** capabilities, new character tools powered by **APEX**, and significant improvements to Solaris and Karma. [Read more …](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/houdini-22-released-with-enhancements-to-vfx-workflow-and-world-building) [![Toon Boom Harmony 27 Released with New Tools for 2D Animation Workflows](https://cinemaengineer.com/images/news/2026/harmony27.jpg)](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/toon-boom-harmony-27-released-with-new-tools-for-2d-animation-workflows) ## [Toon Boom Harmony 27 Released with New Tools for 2D Animation Workflows](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/toon-boom-harmony-27-released-with-new-tools-for-2d-animation-workflows) [News](https://cinemaengineer.com/news) 27 August 2026 Toon Boom has released **Harmony 27**, the latest major version of its professional 2D animation software, introducing a set of new tools aimed primarily at improving character rigging, posing, and scene management. The new release, **build 25334**, became available on **June 16, 2026**. [Read more …](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/toon-boom-harmony-27-released-with-new-tools-for-2d-animation-workflows) [![DaVinci Resolve 21 Released: New Photo Page, AI Tools and Major Workflow Updates](https://cinemaengineer.com/images/news/2026/davinci-resolve21.jpg)](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/davinci-resolve-21-released-new-photo-page-ai-tools-and-major-workflow-updates) ## [DaVinci Resolve 21 Released: New Photo Page, AI Tools and Major Workflow Updates](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/davinci-resolve-21-released-new-photo-page-ai-tools-and-major-workflow-updates) [News](https://cinemaengineer.com/news) 07 June 2026 **Blackmagic Design has officially released DaVinci Resolve 21, introducing one of the software’s most feature-rich updates yet.** The new version expands DaVinci Resolve beyond video post-production with the introduction of a completely new **Photo page**, while also adding a large collection of AI-powered tools, improvements to editing and color grading, new Fusion capabilities, Fairlight workflow enhancements, and expanded immersive video support. [Read more …](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/davinci-resolve-21-released-new-photo-page-ai-tools-and-major-workflow-updates)