--- title: Mari 8.0v1 Beta 2 Released description: Mari 8.0v1 Beta 2 has been released with new Node Graph tools, advanced Masking, improved Texture management, Transformation Nodes, and Tri-Planar workflows author: Sadjad Jahangiri --- ![Texture created with Mari 8.0 Beta 2](https://cinemaengineer.com/images/news/2026/mari-8-beta/mari-8-beta2.jpg) # 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. The main focus of Mari 8.0v1 is on areas such as **Node Graph, Texturing, Masking, Asset Management, Project Management**, and **Navigation**. The release also introduces new Nodes that provide greater control over Procedural Texturing and Shading workflows. ## Node Graph Improvements One of the main areas of development in Mari 8.0v1 is the **Node Graph**. The new tools are primarily designed to reduce repetitive tasks and make complex workflows easier to manage. Key additions include **Compare, Hex Tile, Color Remap**, and **49 new Math Nodes**. ### Compare Node The new **Compare** Node allows artists to compare two visual streams within the Node Graph. Two outputs can be reviewed side by side using a customizable Wipe. It provides three modes: **Screen Space, Object Space**, and **Object Bound Screen Space**. This makes it easier to evaluate everything from subtle Texture changes to larger shifts in the color and appearance of an Asset directly in the Viewport. ### Hex Tile Node The **Hex Tile** Node is designed to reduce visible repetition in Textures. It randomly distributes Textures across the UV plane, helping break up obvious Tiling patterns and producing a more natural result. It also supports non-tiling Assets and can transform a single image into a broad natural surface. **Sampling Area, Randomized Rotation, Blend Width**, and **Blend Contrast** controls provide additional control over how samples are distributed and combined. Dedicated controls for **Normal Maps** are also available. ### Color Remap and 49 New Math Nodes **Color Remap** brings controls for **Hue, Saturation, Exposure, Gamma**, and **Contrast** directly into the Workflow, reducing the need to move between multiple Nodes for common color adjustments. Mari 8.0v1 also includes **49 new Math Nodes**, covering areas from basic arithmetic and **Trigonometry** to **Randomization, Conditional Logic, Gradients**, and **Anti-Aliasing**. These Nodes can be used for precise pixel-level control and for creating non-destructive effects in Procedural Texturing and Shading workflows. ![The Foundry Mari 8.0v1 Beta 2 features](https://cinemaengineer.com/images/news/2026/mari-8-beta/mari8-beta-features.jpg) ### Simplified Node Graph and Texture Management Mari 8.0v1 adds more control over Node insertion in the Graph. The **Auto Insert Width** and **Auto Insert Height** parameters can be adjusted under **Edit > Preferences > Node Graph**. The **Image Manager** also receives new tools for managing Textures. **Image to Node Selection** can locate where an Image is being used in the Active Node Graph and select the related Nodes. **Remove Unused Images** can identify and remove Images that are no longer referenced by **Nodes, Brushes, the Multi-Paint Palette, Environment Light, the Image Color Picker**, or the **Canvas Background**. Images generated through **Image Write** in 2D Paint mode are automatically preserved, while **Toggle Unused Removal** can protect selected Textures or Reference Materials. ## Transformation and Tri-Planar Tiled Mari 8.0v1 introduces a new suite of **Transformation Nodes** that provides greater mathematical and spatial control for Procedural Materials and 3D data. **Coordinate Transform** provides **Scale, Translate**, and **Rotate** controls for Nodes with Position Inputs. **Locator Transform** allows transformations to be manipulated using Locator Handles, while **UV Radial Transform** provides radial Spin, Scale, and Warp controls for UV coordinates. The new **Tri-Planar Tiled** Node projects a 2D Texture across a 3D model along the **X, Y**, and **Z** axes. This approach reduces dependency on UVs and helps avoid common **UV Distortion** and Seam placement issues. The Node includes **Smart Blend**, Noise-driven blending, and customizable Falloff controls. **Scale, Rotation, Offset**, and **Repeat** can be adjusted globally or independently for each Plane, while dedicated Normal Map and Noise inputs can further refine the transitions. ## Image Input and Centralized Texture Management The new **Image Input Node** acts as a centralized hub for Textures. An Image can be loaded once and then routed to multiple locations in the Node Graph. Its output is a specialized **Image Out** Token that connects to the new Image Inputs on Nodes such as **Tiled, Projection, Tri-Planar, Hex Tile**, and **Camera Projection**. This means that replacing the source Texture can propagate the change across all connected locations. The Token can also pass through **Group** and **Teleport** Nodes, but it cannot be processed as standard pixel data or connected to standard Color Inputs, Image Writes, or Bake Points. To view the Texture on the model, the Viewer should be connected to the dedicated **Preview** output. ## Advanced Masking Mari 8.0v1 expands its **Masking** system with dedicated Mask Ports, automated ID Mask generation from Selection Groups, and a new **Color Mask** Workflow. ### Mask to Node **Add Mask to Node** allows a dedicated Mask Port to be added to Nodes. Mari wraps the selected Nodes in a Group and creates a Mask Input, providing more precise control over different parts of a setup. ### Masks from Selection Groups **Create ID Masks from Selection Groups** converts existing Selection Groups into Color ID Maps, reducing the need for manual polygon painting or baking. With **Create Mask from Selection**, artists can also create a Mask directly from an active Canvas Selection or a Selection Group. The Mask creation tools are available through **Selection > Mask**, the Canvas right-click menu, and the Node Graph right-click menu. The **Selection Groups Palette** also provides **Create Mask from Selection Group** for generating a Mask directly from a selected Group. ### Color Mask The new **Color Mask Workflow** provides more precise procedural control for color-based Masking on **Baked ID Maps, painted Color Blocks**, and **Layered Textures**. Two new Nodes are included: **Color Mask** for isolating a specific color and **Multi Color Mask** for multi-toned areas and multiple target colors. The system uses **HSV**-based color comparison with dedicated **Mask Strength** and **Tolerance** controls. Built-in **Gain** and **Bias** controls are also available for Color Correction and Contrast adjustment. ## Improved Shelf Search **Shelf Search** now supports Logical Operators. Required terms can be entered separated by spaces, terms separated by `|` are treated as alternatives, and `-` can be used to exclude a term. Exact matches can be searched using quotation marks. For example, `"bricks | plaster -cracked"` matches items containing **bricks** or **plaster** while excluding items containing **cracked**. ## Improved Archived Project Management Mari now identifies Archived Projects with a visual indicator on their Thumbnails. Hovering over a Project also reveals information such as the **exact timestamp of the last Backup** and the **current Project Directory path**. ## Trackball Rotation for Navigation **Trackball Rotation** introduces a new Navigation method for the Canvas. Using a Virtual Trackball, artists can rotate the Canvas Camera and access more complex angles while Painting. The feature can be configured under **Edit > Shortcuts** by searching for **Trackball**. A **Mouse Button** input is required for the Shortcut to register successfully. ## VFX Reference Platform CY2025 Update Mari's Third-Party Libraries have also been upgraded to match the **VFX Reference Platform CY2025**. The Library versions in Mari 8.0 and Mari 7.5 are compared below: | Library | Mari 8.0 | Mari 7.5 | | --- | --- | --- | | Alembic | 1.8.8 | 1.8.3 | | Boost | 1.85.0 | 1.80.0 | | imath | 3.1.12 | 3.1.4 | | OpenColorIO | 2.4.2 | 2.2.1 | | OpenEXR | 3.3.3 | 3.1.13 | | OpenImageIO | 2.5.7.0 | 2.3.21 | | OpenSubdiv | 3.6.0 | 3.5.0 | | OpenVDB | 12.0.0 | 10.0.1 | | PySide | 6.5.3 | 5.15.2 | | Python | 3.11.11 | 3.10.10 | | Qt | 6.5.3 | 5.15.2 | | oneTBB | 2021.13.0 | 2020U3 | ## Mari 8.0 Is Still in Beta **Mari 8.0v1 Beta 2** is still a Beta Build, and Foundry is inviting users to test it and provide feedback. Access to the Beta builds requires ownership of Mari and currently active Maintenance. Foundry also recommends that this version **not be used in active Production environments**, with main projects kept on a stable release instead. **Mari 8.0v1 Beta 2** is available for **Windows** and **Linux**, with Release Notes also provided. ## Feedback and Support Foundry is inviting users to share their experience with Mari 8.0v1 Beta 2 through the Beta section of the **Mari Community**. For Licensing issues or legacy bugs, users can contact Foundry through the **Support Portal**. Private feedback about the Mari 8.0 Beta can also be sent to **This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.**. ## Summary Mari 8.0v1 is less about a single headline feature and more about improving the everyday workflow of artists. Node Graph development, Texture and Asset management, Masking, Navigation, and technical library updates form the core of this release. Overall, the direction of Mari 8.0 is focused on **reducing repetitive tasks and providing more direct control throughout Texturing and Shading workflows**. Compare, Hex Tile, Math Nodes, Transformation Nodes, Tri-Planar Tiled, Color Masking, and Image Input are among the clearest examples of this approach. ### Source - **Foundry — Mari 8.0 Beta** — [Official announcement and feature overview for Mari 8.0v1 Beta 2.](https://www.foundry.com/mari-beta-80v1)