High-end visual effects software developer Interactive Effects announced the release of Piranha HD version 3.3 for Silicon Graphics workstations. The new version expands on the capabilities of previous releases in the key areas of universal mastering for film and HD, workflow, EDL conforming, effects and performance. Graphics additions to the new system include Wire and Rig Removal, Quad Filter Texturing, a new Transfer Mode effect with 2D Boolean operations and several new artistic blur effects. The new version also supports full hierarchical project management allowing entire projects to be loaded as a layer in a child project. A huge boon for workgroups, proxy renders are also now supported, allowing artists to composite with lower resolution elements while waiting for the final tweaked full resolution plates from the 3D department. Piranha's new Tree mode provides a secondary interface for quickly editing effects parameters and layer settings for complex composites and edit projects. Tree view also has some advantages for artist workflow with consistent effects parameter positions and auto layer focusing which only shows currently active layers. For layers with complex effect trees, Tree view organizes effects by type and order of operation improving workflow and speed of editing. In addition, version 3.3 also boasts improved EDL support, faster rendering and more. The new version is available now.
