Unlocking the Magic: Unity Brings Weta VFX and Animation Tools to Your Creative Arsenal
In a groundbreaking move, Unity is set to democratize the cutting-edge 3D tools that were once the exclusive domain of Weta Digital‘s proprietary pipelines. This exciting development comes through the launch of the Unity Weta Tools division, a comprehensive toolkit designed to revolutionize 3D creation, simulation, and rendering for both gaming and cinematic productions.
The masterminds behind iconic visuals in blockbusters like Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and James Cameron’s Avatar franchises, Weta FX, are now collaborating with Unity to bring some of their specialized 2D and 3D tools to a broader audience within the expansive VFX industry. Announced during the Siggraph 2023 keynote, Unity’s partnership with Weta is set to make waves, as it integrates Weta’s industry-leading compositing and character creation tools into the Unity real-time game development engine.
This milestone builds upon Unity 3D’s acquisition of Weta’s VFX division back in 2021, paving the way for the public release of several Weta tools under the new Unity Weta Tools division. Among the stars of this release is Wig 1.0, an Autodesk Maya add-on renowned for its prowess in crafting lifelike hair and fur. Additionally, Eddy 3.0 steps into the limelight, offering unparalleled capabilities in processing volumetric effects such as smoke and fire through Nuke. Rounding out this game-changing lineup is Deep Compositing, enriching composition tools within Nuke with a newfound sense of depth and dimensionality.
Timoni West, the visionary Vice President of Unity Weta Tools, highlights the groundbreaking nature of this collaboration, stating, “These tools were previously confined to Weta’s exclusive pipeline, but now they’re accessible to creatives everywhere.” This democratization of tools is set to empower artists and studios across the industry, unleashing their potential to expedite production and elevate the quality of their visual creations.
To put this achievement into context, major players in the film and gaming sectors have traditionally relied on proprietary tools to realize their creative visions. Notable examples include Pixar’s RenderMan, instrumental in bringing Toy Story to life, and Weta’s own award-winning toolkit for simulating water in Avatar: Way of the Water. As Timoni West explains, “These tools have been rigorously tested in real productions. Our mission is to make them available to a wider audience, accelerating their creative processes.”
Unity’s commitment extends beyond introducing Weta’s tools; updated versions of existing apps are also making their way into the Unity Weta Tools suite. Ziva, renowned for its prowess in animating soft tissue like human faces and moving animals, and SpeedTree, the go-to choice for crafting lifelike trees and environmental foliage, have received enhanced iterations within this revolutionary toolkit. Notably, the inclusion of the Wig software underscores Weta’s unrivaled expertise in simulating hair and fur, a hallmark seen in cinematic gems like King Kong (2005) and The Jungle Book (2016).
“We embarked on this journey recognizing the challenges faced by teams striving to create cinematic masterpieces and groundbreaking video games with limited resources,” says Timoni West. She points to the example of the awe-inspiring “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” a feat achieved by a small, dedicated team. With Unity Weta Tools at their disposal, such teams can unlock greater efficiency and creativity, ushering in a new era of cinematic excellence.
Unity’s far-reaching influence spans beyond the realm of gaming, permeating industries such as VR, animation, movie effects, automotive design, and architecture. This release ensures that numerous studios across these domains can harness the power of these transformative tools. Unity’s commitment to accessibility is further evident in its collaboration with the Alliance for OpenUSD, a move aimed at standardizing 3D content and fostering innovation across the industry.
As Unity paves the way for an era of enhanced creativity and efficiency, the doors are wide open for artists, visionaries, and storytellers to bring their boldest ideas to life. With Unity Weta Tools, the magic of Weta’s VFX and animation technology is no longer a distant dream, but a tangible reality waiting to shape the future of visual storytelling.