Autodesk’s new AI tools look genuinely helpful [Video]

Autodesk is at SIGGRAPH 2024, where it’s just announced new AI capabilities in its 3D software Maya and its finishing and visual effects solution Flame (see our pick of the best 3D modelling software. 

The software giant is also rolling out AI-powered Flow Generative Scheduling to speed up the creation of production schedules. The development could save a bunch of time for studios working on complex projects that involve difficult decisions and revisions of deadlines.

The new features for Maya and Flame follow Autodesk’s acquisition of Wonder Dynamics, makers of Wonder Studio, which combines AI with established tools. Maya’s new ML Deformer enables artists to work with characters for animation, VFX, and games projects, processing complex deformation systems and representing them with a fast, machine-learned approximation. 

For example, if you have a character with a complex deformation system that …