In this update, Arnold brings new and improved volume rendering controls, support for more features in Hydra and USD, and enhancement to render 3D images faster.

Key features in the new Arnold update include:

Native Support for Apple CPUs 
Arnold now natively supports running on Apple M-series CPUs, such as the M1 CPUs. The Arnold batch rendering tool kick, the Arnold library, and Arnold for Cinema4D are now available as universal binaries. Rendering speed gains of 20% were measured in selected benchmarks when using universal binaries, compared to running Arnold in Rosetta emulation mode.

USD Improvements
This update contains many USD improvements and bug fixes in the USD procedural and the Hydra Render Delegate. You can now enjoy Arnold USD support for MaterialX references and nodes in USD scenes. The USD procedural can render Alembic references and payloads, as well as cylinder lights.

Improved Workflow for Texture Files
Arnold now enables the automatic generation of optimized TX textures from source textures as part of the rendering process. Using optimized textures is critical for rendering speed and memory usage and having the TX conversion as part of core rendering will help users without a dedicated TX workflow achieve faster renders.

Improved Log Window in Arnold for Maya
The log window for the Arnold Render View in Arnold for Maya has been enhanced with a new search bar and color highlighting as well as an auto-jump to warnings and errors, available from the status bar.

Import and Export of Imager Presets in Arnold for Maya and Arnold for Cinema4D
In Arnold for Maya and Arnold for Cinema4D, users can now save and import presets of imager graphs and individual imagers from the render view.

Improved Light Manipulators in Arnold for Katana
In Arnold for Katana, new manipulators for various aspects of Arnold lights have been added to the Hydra-based viewer. Using those manipulators, you can now interactively adjust multiple attributes such as cone angle, radius, and spread on lights in the viewport.

More
This update also contains sharper textures when seen through glass or in reflections, more consistent behavior in ACEScg for melanin in Standard Hair, a new crash reporting tool, an improved version of the Autodesk Analytics Program, and an updated MaterialX 1.38.5. In Arnold for 3ds Max, standard Object properties are now supported. In Arnold for Houdini, parameters can now be promoted in the material builder.

Feel free to call our experts at 866 362 8970 to find out more about Arnold, Maya, Cinema 4D or to request a quote.