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Flow Wedging: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Autodesk Flow Wedging?

Autodesk® Flow Wedging is a capability that allows Bifrost for Autodesk® Maya® users to create variations of the same graph and iterate on computationally intensive VFX simulations and processes by offloading Bifrost graph executions to the cloud. Flow Wedging consists of two main components:

  • Flow Wedging plug-in: A plug-in included with the Bifrost plug-in, which loads the Flow Wedging service into the Maya interface under the "Flow" menu.
  • Flow Wedging service: A cloud-based, monetized service that executes Bifrost tasks and returns the results.

For example, Flow Wedging can enable you to generate multiple variations of an effect by submitting them to the cloud for parallel execution. This helps streamline the creation, caching, visualization, and iteration of variations.

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2. What are the benefits of Flow Wedging?

As a cloud-based VFX compute capability, Flow Wedging helps remove the resource-intensive nature of running simulations locally and integrates seamlessly into studio pipelines, providing scalable performance that accelerates production while maintaining flexibility and control. You can use Flow Wedging to explore a wider range of creative variations on simulation parameters and make more informed decisions, faster, with parallel execution in the cloud.

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3. Who is Flow Wedging for?

Flow Wedging is targeted at companies dealing with large-scale simulation workloads, such as VFX studios, animation studios, and 3D commercial studios, as well as freelance 3D and FX indie artists.

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4. What is the relationship between Flow Wedging and the Flow Graph Engine API?

Flow Wedging uses the Flow Graph Engine API on Autodesk Platform Services (APS) as its backend cloud-based engine which enables you to access cloud storage and cloud compute instances to run Bifrost workflows.

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5. Where can I find Flow Wedging inside of Maya?

Once the Flow Wedging plug-in is installed via the Bifrost for Maya plug-in, you can find the Flow Wedging service under the "Flow" menu item inside Maya. To check if Flow Wedging is installed, you can open the Maya Plug-in Manager by navigating to Windows > Settings/Preferences > Plug-in Manager. See the Flow Wedging walkthrough and Help page for more information.

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6. How am I charged for Flow Wedging?

Flow Wedging is a consumption cloud-based service, meaning you are charged in tokens based on consumption (per hour). Flow Wedging consumes tokens at regular intervals while a task is running. The total cost for each task is based on the aggregate hours consumed. Fractional token charges are accrued during usage but are only deducted from your account when the accrued amount reaches the minimum billing charge for 1 hour. For example, if three tasks are submitted in parallel, and each consumes 15 minutes (totaling 45 minutes), no tokens will be deducted. If a fourth task consuming 15 minutes is submitted later, you will see the minimum billing charge for 1 hour (45 minutes + 15 minutes = 60 minutes or 1 hour).

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7. What is the token charge per hour for Flow Wedging?

Pricing information is available here.

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8. Will I be notified that I will incur charges prior to using Flow Wedging?

Yes. Upon submitting a task, you will receive a notification that informs you that Flow Wedging is a paid-for-use service.

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9. How many tokens do I need to start a Flow Wedging task?

To start a Flow Wedging task, you need equal to or more than the minimum charge for 1 hour. If you have less than the minimum charge for 1 hour at the start of a task, you will be notified that you do not have enough tokens to a run the task and the task will not start.

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10. Do Flow Wedging tasks stop if I run out of tokens before a task is complete?

No, the task will not stop, and you will not lose your wedging results if you run out of tokens.

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11. Is there a limit to the duration or number of Flow Wedging tasks?

Yes, there is a maximum task duration of 48 hours per task, after which the task will automatically stop. There is a limit of 20 Flow Wedging tasks that can be run simultaneously, subject to service-level limitations, if equal to or more than the minimum charge for 1 hour is available at the start of a new task.

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12. What is the purchase to usage workflow for Flow Wedging?

  1. Purchase: Customer subscribes to Maya named-user subscription, which includes the Flow Wedging plug-in and service, and purchases tokens (Flex or Token Flex) separately.
  2. Product Assignment: The admin logs into Autodesk Account to assign the Maya license to a user and Flow Wedging will be assigned by default to that same user. However, the admin can decide to unassign Flow Wedging as needed.
  3. Token Access: Tokens must be available in the same team as the Maya and Flow Wedging user assignment.
  4. Service Access: The user triggers the Flow Wedging process via Bifrost in Maya under the "Flow" menu. See the Flow Wedging walkthrough for more information.
  5. Authorization: Wedging requests license authorization. If sufficient tokens are available (equal to or more than the minimum charge for 1 hour), the task runs. If tokens are insufficient, access is denied, and the user is notified.
  6. Task Continuation: Once all tokens are consumed, no further tasks can start until additional tokens are purchased in the same team as the Maya end user assignment.
  7. Usage Tracking: Admins can view token usage in the Autodesk Account, but do not have access to detailed wedging-specific usage data. Single users with admin access can track token usage directly.

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13. How long is task data stored for?

Task data is stored for 30 days, subject to service-level limitations, regardless of the status of the task.

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14. Is Flow Wedging accessible worldwide?

Flow Wedging is accessible if you have access to Flex Tokens and limited to available regions.

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15. Can a Maya named-user subscriber access Flow Wedging?

Yes, named-user subscribers can access Flow Wedging in Maya. However, Flow Wedging is a cloud service, meaning you must log into an Autodesk Account with an Autodesk ID to access Flow Wedging.

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16. Can a Maya multi-user subscriber access Flow Wedging?

Multi-user subscribers can access Flow Wedging by logging into an Autodesk Account with an Autodesk ID, even though they are not using that ID for their Maya multi-user subscription. Customers must purchase tokens and assign Flow Wedging.

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17. Is Flow Wedging available for Not for Resale (NFR) users?

Yes, Not for Resale (NFR) users can access Flow Wedging in Maya if they have a Maya NFR license and Flex NFR tokens. However, Flow Wedging is a cloud service, meaning you must log into an Autodesk Account with an Autodesk ID to access Flow Wedging.

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18. Is Flow Wedging accessible to Maya, Maya Indie, and Maya Creative users?

Flow Wedging is accessible to Maya and Maya Indie users in regions where tokens are available, but Flow Wedging is not accessible to Maya Creative. Maya Creative users cannot access Flow Wedging because Bifrost is read-only.

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19. What versions of Bifrost for Maya support Flow Wedging?

You can use Flow Wedging on Maya version 2025 and newer and Bifrost for Maya plug-in version 2.12.1.0 and newer.

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20. Can I access a Flow Wedging beta?

There is no beta available for Flow Wedging.

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21. Is there a Flow Wedging trial available?

No, Flow Wedging is not supported in Maya trials.

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22. Is Autodesk offering Flow Wedging to educational institutions for free?

No, Flow Wedging is not supported in educational licenses of Maya.

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23. Where can I learn more?

See the Help page and Flow Wedging walkthrough to learn more or watch the Bifrost Wedging 101 YouTube series.

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24. How do I submit support tickets?

Flow Wedging is a Maya capability and as such, you can submit Maya support tickets through your Autodesk Account.

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25. Are my terms and conditions changing?

No, but you can view new product-specific terms for Flow Wedging here.

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