New Image Automation Engine Streamlines Workflows; Integrates Directly Into Deadline
Los Angeles, CA (July 26, 2012) -
Thinkbox Software today announced the release of Draft, a lightweight compositing and video processing tool designed to automate typical post-render tasks. Draft is a plug-in for Thinkbox's
Deadline render farm management software that automates the creation and processing of QuickTimes, thumbnails and other deliverables in a pipeline. Draft will be unveiled at the SIGGRAPH Conference at the Thinkbox Software booth (#937), at the Los Angeles Convention Center August 7-9, 2012.
Key features of Draft include:
--Prepare renders for editorial without any user intervention
--Generates slates using metadata provided by a production management database such as Shotgun Software
--Automatically converts renders to a variety of formats as needed
--Resizes, composites, and converts images
--Text annotation system that renders slates and templates for video clips
--Supports video formats such as H.264 and MPEG4
--Python API offers endless customization to generate tailored video assets
“Draft allows you to streamline your workflow by saving you from having to manually create QuickTimes, thumbnails, contact sheets, or other production elements,” said Chris Bond, founder of Thinkbox Software. “Whatever you render is automatically converted into formats you need or assembled as QuickTimes and information from your database can be automatically imported – an artist can submit one render and get a dozen different deliverables pushed out automatically, allowing you to focus on the art.”
Draft has been in beta at several VFX houses, including Encore VFX in Hollywood. 2D Supervisor Jane Sharvina explains: “In a production environment focused on episodic TV work, Draft is invaluable. With hundreds of shots to deliver each day, having the client deliverables as well as the internal review clips already generated by the time the shot is reviewed is a huge help. It not only frees up editorial, but it also ties into Shotgun so we have no questions about getting the correct version number.”
Draft is free for clients on an active support and maintenance subscription with Deadline. For more information, visit
http://www.thinkboxsoftware.com
About Thinkbox Software
Thinkbox Software provides creative solutions for visual artists in entertainment, engineering and design. Developer of high-volume particle renderer Krakatoa, render farm management software Deadline and Frost particle mesher, the team of Thinkbox Software solves difficult production problems with intuitive, well-designed solutions and remarkable support. The artist-driven company creates tools that help artists manage their jobs and empower them to create worlds and imagine new realities. Thinkbox was founded in 2010 by Chris Bond, founder of Frantic Films.
http://www.thinkboxsoftware.com