Assimilate updated its VR/360 post-production toolset in advance of NAB 2017, releasing the new Scratch VR Suite 8.6 for download.

Scratch VR Suite can now handle stitching images from multiple cameras on a 360-degree rig.

Billed as an end-to-end VR/360 workflow, Scratch VR Suite now includes the ability to load source media from multiple cameras in a 360 rig into Scratch VR for stitching into a single equirectangular image. AutoPano, Hugin, PTGui and PTStitch script support for stitch templates has been added, along with the ability to render out the equirectangular image or continue working on it in Scratch VR until final render.

Ambisonic audio support has been added to Scratch VR Suite.

Also new in this version is support for ambisonic audio, direct publishing to YouTube 360, and additional overlay handles for positioning 2D elements in a 360 scene. HDR support has been expanded, DIT reporting functions have been simplified, and the user interface has been updated and simplified, Assimilate said.

Assimilate published a tutorial covering the new version’s stitching and ambisonic audio features:

Assimilate also released a list of “real world” VR projects that have been completed using the Scratch VR Suite, including three from Jaunt VR — director Doug Liman’s scripted series Invisible, the moon-landing-themed experience  Timeliness: Continuum Recon, and the five-part Paul McCartney in-studio series Pure McCartney VR. Also completed using Scratch VR Suite were a VR “mini-concert” by Israeli-French musician Yael Naim and the new “Expedition Antarctica” from March of the Penguins director Luc Jacquet.

Scratch VR Suite 8.6 is available now for $1,195.

Assimilate Scratch VR Suite: www.assimilateinc.com