Blackmagic Design releases Fusion Studio 21.1

Blackmagic Design has unveiled Fusion Studio 21.0, a significant update to its 3D compositing software tailored for visual effects (VFX) and motion graphics professionals. Announced during the NAB 2026 livestream, the new version introduces a range of features aimed at enhancing the workflow for motion graphics artists, while also improving existing toolsets for deep compositing and Universal Scene Description (USD) workflows. The update is part of a broader release that includes DaVinci Resolve 21, which integrates some of these new features into its own suite of tools.

New Features for Motion Graphics Artists

One of the standout additions in Fusion Studio 21.0 is the integration of Krokodove, a previously free third-party add-on that now comes bundled with the software. This integration introduces over 70 new tools designed specifically for motion design, encompassing everything from standard image filters to advanced warping and morphing effects. Additionally, Krokodove offers a variety of titling and text animation tools that can significantly streamline the creative process for motion graphics artists.

In terms of text creation, Fusion Studio has enhanced its Text+ and MultiText tools, which now support colored fonts and emojis. A built-in spell checker and auto-correct feature have also been added, making it easier for artists to produce polished text elements without the need for external editing.

Moreover, Fusion Studio 21.0 expands its compatibility with two popular 2D motion graphics formats: the JSON-based Lottie animation format and the HTML-based OGraf graphics format. This support allows creators to incorporate a wider range of animated graphics seamlessly into their projects.

Enhancements in Deep Compositing and USD Workflows

The update continues to build on the deep compositing capabilities introduced in Fusion Studio 20.0. A key feature is the new dColorCorrector node, which allows users to perform color corrections directly on deep images without converting them to flat images first. This native color correction capability enhances efficiency and preserves the depth information crucial for complex VFX work.

Additionally, the USD toolset, which was first introduced in Fusion Studio 18.5, receives two new nodes: uProjector and uCatcher. These nodes facilitate decal projection and texture reprojection, respectively. A new Is Matte checkbox allows users to designate objects as holdout mattes, which can occlude other elements in a scene, thereby enhancing compositional control.

The USD renderer also introduces a new AOV (Arbitrary Output Variable) option, Neye, which enables the rendering of camera-relative normals, a feature beneficial for relighting scenes. Furthermore, Fusion Studio now supports Hydra 2, the latest version of the USD rendering framework, aligning it with other industry-standard applications like Houdini and Katana.

Additional Features and Performance Improvements

Beyond the deep compositing and USD enhancements, Fusion Studio 21.0 includes support for Cryptomatte, an ID matte-generation system that has become a standard in many digital content creation (DCC) applications. This feature allows for more efficient selection of elements within a scene during compositing.

New tools for creating relief maps—detailed textures that self-occlude without needing geometry subdivision—have also been introduced. The Lens Distort node has been upgraded to include checkerboard calibration, allowing for more accurate lens distortion correction using a single frame.

Workflow improvements are notable as well, with the introduction of a new Macro Editor for creating templates and macros, alongside a MultiInspector feature that enables users to edit shared properties across nodes. Performance enhancements are also a highlight, particularly for SpeedWarp, which now utilizes the same retiming engine as the Edit and Cut pages in DaVinci Resolve, resulting in improved speed and efficiency. The Relight and Depth Map tools have seen performance boosts of up to six times faster than previous versions.

Lastly, Fusion Studio 21.0 has added native support for Windows on ARM, optimizing performance on modern laptops and tablets equipped with ARM architecture, which is increasingly common in today's mobile computing landscape.

Why it matters

The release of Fusion Studio 21.0 is a significant step forward for Blackmagic Design, particularly for motion graphics artists who will benefit from the extensive new tools and features. The integration of Krokodove and support for popular animation formats like Lottie and OGraf reflect an understanding of current industry needs, making it easier for creators to produce high-quality work efficiently.

Furthermore, the enhancements in deep compositing and USD workflows position Fusion Studio as a competitive player in the VFX software market. By streamlining processes and improving performance, Blackmagic Design is catering to the demands of professionals who require both speed and precision in their workflows. As the industry continues to evolve, updates like these ensure that tools remain relevant and powerful for today's creators and technologists.