Compositing training provider Compositing Academy has released pScatter, a free Nuke plugin for “breaking up your perfect CG renders”.
The plugin adds imperfections to renders generated in 3D applications like Blender, Houdini or Maya, using a position data pass to distribute textures over their surface.
Suggested uses include adding surface imperfections like dirt, scratches, snow or rain.
This is scattering texture detail POST-RENDER, it’s not using the 3D model. You can do this with any position pass out of Unreal, Houdini, Blender, etc, using our free plugin.
You can do this with videos too – rain, energy forcefield effects, etc! pic.twitter.com/Kr8zAEQTpY
— (Alex) Compositing Academy (@CompAcademyVFX) September 27, 2024
Add surface imperfections to 3D models directly within Nuke
pScatter is intended to break up the often-too-clean look of renders from 3D applications: the documentation namechecks Blender, Houdini, Maya and Unreal Engine.
Rather than requiring the original 3D model, it distributes a texture map over the render using a position data pass, with users able to adjust texture placement and density.
Suggested use cases range from adding surface imperfections like dirt, scratches, snow or raindrops to more stylized effects like energy FX or “sci-fi camouflage patterns”.
According to Compositing Academy, the plugin provides a more controllable alternative to using procedural noise within Nuke.
Licensing and system requirements
pScatter is compatible with Nuke 15.0+. It’s free, including for commercial use.
Download pScatter for Nuke from Gumroad
(Enter a figure of $0 to download them for free, or make a voluntary donation)
Visit Compositing Academy’s website
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