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Panasonic released a free firmware upgrade for the AU-EVA1 cinema camera that greatly enhances the camera's recording capabilities, including ALL-Intra frame recording formats, RAW data output, timelapse recording, HD 4:2:2 interlaced formats and more. These additions expand the camera’s abilities so fundamentally that Panasonic refers to the upgrade as EVA 2.0.

The free firmware upgrade is now available for download from the Panasonic website.

EVA 2.0 allows uncompressed RAW output via 6G SDI. Formats include 5.7K at 1fps to 30fps, 4K at 1fps to 60fps, and 2K at 1fps to 240fps. Atomos has announced that its Shogun Inferno and Sumo monitor/recorders will capture RAW-to-ProRes from the EVA1 in 4K up to 60fps and 2K up to 240fps. Additional announcements for RAW support are to be released soon. A key feature of EVA 2.0 is ALL-Intraframe (ALL-I) codec recordings, offering 10-bit 4:2:2 at up to 400Mbps. Intraframe recordings require less post processing than the LongGOP codecs also available in the EVA1, enabling real-time editing on more cost-effective high-performance computers.

Ver. 2.02 new features:

Additional recording formats
4096x2160(4K) – 422Intra 400M 29.97p,24p,25p,23.98p
3840x2160(UHD) – 422Intra 400M 29.97p,25p,23.98p
2048x1080(2K) – 422Intra 200M 59.94p,50p; 422Intra 100M 29.97p,24p,25p,23.98p
1920x1080(FHD) – 422Intra 200M 59.94p,50p; 422Intra 100M 29.97p,25p,23.98p,59.94i,50i; 422LongGOP 50M 59.94i,50i

Support for VFR
4K / UHD – 422Intra 400M Max 30fps
2K / FHD – 422Intra 200M/100M Max 120fps (equivalent to 400M)

Support for Interval REC
Support for RAW Output – 5.7K/30p, Crop 4K/60p, Crop 2K/240p

Output of camera metadata (info about sensor, lens, etc.) superimposed on SDI

Output of information displayed on LCD so as to be able to use HDMI output for VF purpose (Focus Assist and HOME Screen)

Improvement in HOME Screen operability

Switching of VFR ON/OFF, SHUTTER ON/OFF and ISO/GAIN

Improvement of WFM

Transmittance of WFM display is lowered for improvement in readability.

WFM can be switched directly from Focus Square.

Compatibility with 3rd-party wired remote controls

Improvement – When SDI OUT menu is at OFF, mounting/dismounting of LCD causes REC S/S button on the Grip to no longer work. This problem is fixed.

ZBrush 2018 includes the following new key features:

Sculptris Pro Mode
This major new feature is an enhanced version of the dynamic tessellation system from our popular Sculptris application. It enables the artist to ignore the constraints of polygon distribution and simply – sculpt! Sculptris Pro will dynamically add (tesselate) and remove (decimate) polygons wherever and whenever it’s needed. It actually does this during your brush stroke in a real-time process called Tessimation. This frees you to focus entirely on the look you’re trying to achieve.

Sculptris Pro is the perfect tool for concept artists and creative users who simply want to get an idea formed without worry about things like polygon distribution. It is also ideal for anyone using CAD, point cloud and other imported models without having to first retopologize the model or switch to DynaMesh. It is also perfect for refining a model after Live Boolean has been used, where variation in polygon density and triangulation can be a challenge with traditional methods. Additionally, it allows 3D printing users to edit models which have already been optimized before being imported back into ZBrush for quick edits.

The beauty of Sculptris Pro is that it is a mode that can be enabled whenever you want and is compatible with the majority of the hundreds of sculpting brushes that ZBrush is famous for.

Deformers Extended
ZBrush 4R8 introduced the Gizmo 3D manipulator system which included utilities such as FFD Box, Multislice and several powerful Deformers. In ZBrush 2018 we are increasing this to a total of 27 deformers. Each deformer has a unique feature set to allow quick shape alterations that would not be possible through brush strokes.

Of special note is the new Project Primitive deformer. This gives the ability to use multiple primitives to reshape a mesh, cut into a surface, build up from another mesh and much more. Not only does Project Primitive offer a new, unique way to blend multiple pieces of geometry together it also empowers you to take something as simple as a sphere and turn it into a rocket ship, automobile, plane, human bust, or nearly anything else you might imagine.

PolyGroupIt
This is an entirely new way to create the polygon groupings that are so essential to a smooth ZBrush workflow. PolyGroup It accurately evaluates the surface of a model in real-time, generating intelligent groupings with a single button click. Creating PolyGroups has never been so easy! What’s more, with PolyGroup It you can add or delete, copy & paste, grow or shrink, create PolyGroups symmetrically and even use PolyPaint to trace out exactly what you want your PolyGroups to look like.

Other Additions
Elastic and Liquid options for Curve Mode.
Insert Meshes can now be rotated or smoothed along a curve.
Equidistant Mesh Duplication using the Gizmo 3D.
Remember Draw Size and Dynamic Mode for Brush options.
New PolyGroup by Normals option.
Increased output size for 3D Print Hub.
Snake Hook brushes for use with Sculptris Pro.
Option to save Startup Default Material.
Tessimate can also be used as a stand-alone feature, outside of Sculptris Pro.
QuickSaves can now be saved to any hard drive.
New Activation and License Management System, powered by our My Licenses web portal.
All licenses are now dual platform for both Windows and macOS.

ZBrush 2018 is being released in the English, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, German and French languages.

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RED introduced the new GEMINI™ 5K S35 sensor for the RED EPIC-W camera. GEMINI 5K S35 leverages dual sensitivity modes to provide creators with greater flexibility for a variety of shooting environments. Whether capturing with GEMINI's Standard Mode for well-lit conditions or its Low Light Mode for darker environments, RED EPIC-W 5K S35 delivers incredible dynamic range and produces cinema-quality images.

The GEMINI 5K S35 sensor provides exceptional low-light performance, allowing for cleaner imagery with less noise and better shadow detail. Operators can easily switch between modes through the camera’s on-screen menu with no down time and experience an increased field of view at 2K and 4K resolutions compared to the higher resolution HELIUM sensor. In addition, the sensor’s 30.72 mm x 18 mm dimensions allow for greater anamorphic lens coverage than with the HELIUM or RED DRAGON sensor.

Built on the compact DSMC2 form factor, the RED EPIC-W 5K camera and sensor combination captures 5K full format motion at up to 96 fps, boasts incredibly fast data speeds of up to 275 MB/s, and provides in-camera support of RED’s enhanced image processing pipeline, IPP2. Like all cameras in the DSMC2 line up, EPIC-W 5K is able to shoot simultaneous REDCODE RAW and Apple ProRes or Avid DNxHD/HR recording and adheres to RED’s dedication to OBSOLESCENCE OBSOLETE—a core operating principle that allows current RED owners to upgrade their technology as innovations are unveiled without having to purchase all new gear.

“While the GEMINI sensor was developed for low-light conditions in outer space, we quickly saw there was so much more to this sensor,” says Jarred Land, President of RED Digital Cinema. “In fact, we loved the potential of this sensor so much, we wanted to evolve it to make it have a broader appeal. As a result, the EPIC-W GEMINI now sports dual-sensitivity modes. It still has the low-light performance mode, but also has a default, standard mode that allows you to shoot in brighter conditions.”

Beginning at 24725 EUR ex. VAT, the new RED EPIC-W with GEMINI 5K S35 sensor is now available for purchase. Alternatively, WEAPON Carbon Fiber and RED EPIC-W 8K customers will have the option to upgrade to the GEMINI sensor at a later date.

Trapcode Particular 3 is considered the top plug-in for creating motion graphics in Adobe After Effects, and it’s a powerful beast. So powerful, in fact, that it can be a little daunting to get started with it. Even if you’ve been using it for years, it’s packed with so many hidden features there’s always more to learn. Red Giant Software introduced a new free Trapcode Particular 3 training series with motion designer Harry Frank. Not only has Harry been using Particular since it was created, he's been a part of the development team for several years. Sit back (or lean forward, it's your life!) as Harry shows you everything you need to know to use Particular to its fullest.

• 14 tutorials on Particular 3
• Approx 3.5 hours of training
• For beginners or experienced users
• Absolutely, totally free

You can watch the tutorials on Red Giants' tutorials page.

This software update adds Level A 3G-SDI support to URSA Broadcast along with improved interlaced recording when using DNxHD 145 and 220X.

What's new in Blackmagic Camera Setup 5.0.1

New features for URSA Broadcast
Added Level A support for 3G SDI from Front and Main SDI
Improved interlaced recording for DNxHD 220X and 145
Fixed bug where only 3 custom LUT’s could be loaded
Fixed issue preventing driver from loading on Windows 10

No new features in 5.0.1 for other Blackmagic cameras or Blackmagic Camera & Studio Fiber converters.