Fancy yourself the creator of the next Toy Story or
The Incredibles? Now you can get one step closer to animation glory, as <a href="https://www.wired.co.uk/pixar" target="_blank">Pixar</a> has made its RenderMan software free to use.
As the name implies, the program is specifically a 3D rendering tool, pushing character and object models closer to photo-realism through powerful lighting and detail-adding abilities. Although it's predictably used in all of Pixar's films, RenderMan is also industry standard software, used for special effects in live action films as much as feature length <a href="https://www.wired.co.uk/animation" target="_blank">animation</a>.
The free version of RenderMan has all the features of the paid version, with no watermarks on final output and no time limit to using it. It's also the latest version, with Pixar's new RIS framework in place, which is already being used on the studio's upcoming <a href="https://www.wired.co.uk/movies" target="_blank">movies</a> such as Finding Dory.
The only caveat is that it can only be used for non-commercial use. It's a move aimed primarily at students and educational bodies, to get aspiring animators familiar with using the software, though anyone can download and use the suite. Anyone who wants to profit from their creations can then pick up a commercial license for $495 (£335). "The latest release of RenderMan is a technological reinvention," said Ed Catmull, president of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. "It's the result of focused research and development at both Pixar and Disney, and these advancements are now freely available to the visual effects and animation community through Non-Commercial RenderMan. We look forward to seeing what our users create." Catmull was also one of the founders of the original RenderMan architecture.
For those just getting started with the software, Pixar has also launched a community site, allowing users to share tips and techniques and the get feedback on their work. It's worth remembering that RenderMan isn't a piece of 3D animation software in its own right -- for that, you'll require the likes of Autodesk's Maya -- but it is a valuable addition to any creator's arsenal.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
