Bifrost 2.11.0.0 includes texture sampling, a new data browser for debugging, a technology preview of Flow Wedging, plus much more!
Here's an overview of the main new features of Bifrost 2.11.0.0:
- The Flow Wedging plug-in allows you to submit a simulation with variations of a parameter ("wedges") to the cloud, freeing up your computer's resources to work on other things while you wait for the results. When they are ready, you can easily load generated caches to compare.
- The new sample_texture_file node returns the RGBA color of an image interpolated at the UV coordinates of a geometry. In addition, read_image_data returns an array containing the RGBA pixel values of an image file.
- Data browsers provide more detailed information about the values flowing along a connection than watchpoints do. They can even show the individual values of properties of an object contained in an array.
- There is a new, experimental modular framework for rigging that allows you to combine modules to create procedural rigs. The limb_module and root_module are provided as examples, and you can create your own modules based on template_module.
- The node library now lets you save your favorite nodes: simply hover the pointer over a node and then click the star.
- Both the node library and tab menu now let you use a space to indicate that the next letter must be at the beginning of a subsequent word. For example, "c att", "c con", and "att c" all match clear_attribute_connections. After a space, the search find words that start with the next letter and contain the remaining characters, so you can find scale_to_vector3 by typing "s v3".
- The new contour_surface_nets node converts a volume to mesh using the Surface Nets algorithm, as an alternative to the contour_dual_marching_cubes node. The volume_to_mesh node has also been updated to allow you to select which algorithm to use.
For a complete list of features and bug fixes included in this version, see the Bifrost Release Notes.
Remember that you can always download the latest version of Bifrost by visiting the Autodesk Accounts Portal.