Nuke 16 just dropped with powerful new features to speed up your workflow, and Adobe’s latest generative AI tools are starting to show real potential—even to a skeptic like me. Plus, if you’re diving into Fusion, I’ve got a free mini-course to help you get started without the overwhelm. Let’s get into it!

New in Nuke 16

Nuke 16.0 is here with Multishot workflows, VariableSwitch, and VariableGroup nodes to manage multiple shots easily. Group View lets you edit inside groups, and Link Nodes keep copies synced as you work.

Quick Export speeds up ProRes, DNxHD, and H264 exports up to 12x faster. Roto performance gets a major boost, and Contact Sheet helps you compare shots easily. Plus, Multichannel Soft Effects let you tweak EXRs in the timeline.

Big 3D updates include ray tracing in ScanlineRender2, better Geo tools, and new nodes like GeoXformPrim and GeoConstrain. Nuke now supports VFX Platform 2024 and improves OpenAssetIO for smoother pipelines.

Starting to Rethink Generative AI

I’ll be honest—I haven’t been a fan of generative AI. The results are usually hit-or-miss, often more miss than hit. But I recently came across some new tools in Adobe Firefly, and I have to admit, they’re making me reconsider my stance.

The feature that really caught my eye is AI-powered video translation with linked lip-syncing. I can’t judge how accurate it is (I don’t speak multiple languages), but the idea of AI handling both voice translation and syncing lip movements is intriguing. If it’s not perfect now, I can see it improving over time.

Adobe’s Firefly also added video generation from text prompts and images. You get up to five seconds of 1080p video, and it gives you options like choosing camera angles, shot sizes, and even motion. Adobe’s saying the content is all copyright-safe, too, which is a big deal for anyone using this stuff in actual projects.

I still wouldn’t call myself an AI believer just yet, but it’s getting harder to dismiss. If these tools keep improving, we might finally see AI do more than just make weird, glitchy results. And honestly? I’m kind of curious to see where it goes.

ree Mini-Course: Intro To Fusion Nodes!

Getting into Fusion can feel confusing fast. That’s why I made Intro To Fusion Nodes, a free mini-course to help you start strong! Learn what nodes are and how to connect them without getting lost. This course is 25min long.

Start learning now and stay tuned—more free mini-courses are on the way!

Keep creating, stay curious, and never stop pushing your creative boundaries!

Stay creative,
Justin R.