Autodesk subsidiary Discreet is using this week’s International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) trade show to make its European debut of combustion 2.
combustion 2 is Discreet’s unified paint, animation and 3D compositing software for Windows and Mac OS. The software has been developed to produce multi-format output to the Web, to video and HDTV.
combustion 2 adds features including a new integrated 2D particle system, an interactive text and motion graphics module, and garbage masking technology designed to provide parallel workflow integration with other Discreet products, like inferno 4.6, flame 7.6 and flint 7.6. Multi-format capabilities have been improved, too — the software can output higher bit depth content for feature film compositing, with support for degrain, regrain, and color look-up tables (LUT).
combustion 2 also has numerous performance enhancements — a new optimized 2D software rendered, OpenGL support, support for Mac OS X, and further optimizations to its 3D compositing features, including direct integration with Discreet’s 3D modeling, animation and rendering software, 3ds max.
Discreet says that combustion 2 has been designed to complement other graphics applications, including Adobe After Effects, Photoshop and Illustrator, as well as Apple’s Final Cut Pro. If you’re using Discreet’s online editing and finishing products like smoke and fire, or its Windows NT-based edit 6 non-linear editing system, you’re in luck — combustion 2 integrates and provides fluid workflow with those systems, too.
Discreet expects combustion 2 to ship by the end of the year. The software will be available for EUR 4,250 in the Euro Zone, or £2,695 in the UK. Upgrades will be available for EUR 1,000 or £595 in the UK. Commercial customers purchasing combustion 1 from August 1st can get the upgrade at no charge.
IBC runs through September 18th at the RAI Centre in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Discreet is located in Hall 7, at booth number 7.421.