Version 8.4 to Be Previewed at IBC in September

SGO scheduled availability of version 8.2 of its Mistika post-production software toolset for later this month, and said version 8.4 will be previewed at IBC in September.

New features in version 8.2 include the new Spatial Isolation toolset, a set of tools for manipulating multi-layer sequences that was debuted at NAB earlier this year. The new tools separate objects inside the 3D scene by using information encoded in the various layers of EXR image sequences by other effects and compositing systems in the pipeline, allowing characteristics like lighting, depth of field, and even color attributes of individual objects in the scene to be adjusted dynamically inside Mistika's content viewer.

Among the tools are a Pick Depth selector, which allows users to create depth-of-field effects in a stereo 3D image by pointing and clicking at the image in the content viewer. Mistika automatically generates alpha channels that apply a Gaussian blur only to certain depth layers of the image based on the scene's Z-depth map. A Pick Object ID selector lets a user isolate only a single object in a 3D scene for color-grading, based on the Object ID layer in an EXR source file. The Pick Direction selector simulates directional lighting based on an EXR source's Surface Normals layer, and a Pick Position selector simulates a light sphere or light cube inside the 3D environment of a scene based on information from the XYZ Position layer.

The new Spatial Isolation tools are explained, along with brief video tutorials, at a dedicated page at SGO's website.

Also on tap for IBC demos of Mistika will be Dolby Vision support, improved support for the ACES workflow, improved AAF support, the ability to create a DCP using Dolby Atmos, and additional codecs including Canon RMF, Sony XAVC and Apple ProRes 4444. SGO Mistika supports work at up to 4K in 60p and stereo 3D, and was recently updated to be operable using Digital Vision Precision Grading Panels. (Mistika continues to support the use of Tangent Element panels.)

The SGO booth will also be home to the company's Mamba FX 2.0 node-based compositing software, which likewise adds new ways to work with multilayer EXR sequences, including the new Layer Route Effect. Mamba can split the EXR layers so that individual elements are addressed during compositing. Other new features include a high-speed point-cloud shape tracker that speeds the process of tracking 2D roto-shapes, an adaptive monitor-configuration interface, and support for Dolby Vision.

Mac users may want to take special note, as Mamba FX was recently ported to OS X (in addition to Windows and Linux) for the first time. Upgrades to 2.0, which was released last month, are free to existing customers.