Jan 19, 2023

French company Superprod announces "Flow" pipeline based on Pixar's open source USD technology

Superprod Group became the first French studio to introduce a new pipeline based on Pixar's open source technology Universal Scene Description (USD), which was first shown at the Radi Raf conference in Angoulême The studio is now the first French studio to introduce a new pipeline based on Universal Scene Description (USD), an open source technology. [The studio is currently producing four features and six series. Recent projects include "Batwheels" for Warner Bros. Animation and "Spirit Rangers" for Netflix. He is also working on an untitled Netflix feature by Aardman native Steve Box ("Wallace and Gromit: The Curse Of The Were Rabbit").

What is USD Technology - USD is an open-source, high-performance extensible software platform for the collaborative construction of 3D animation scenes, designed to meet the needs of large-scale film and visual effects production. It is already in use by major studios such as Pixar, MPC, and Animal Logic. [Benefits of USD Technology: Working in a USD-based pipeline allows all software to read and write data through the same system, allowing artists from all departments to visualize and work on the same 3D scene throughout the production process. By removing the previous technical limitations, this technology allows for a more iterative process without incurring extra costs. In addition, scenes in the USD pipeline can be read more quickly than with previous methods, so more detailed results can be obtained, again at no extra cost.

Why Superprod made the change-Superprod first identified Pixar's USD system as the pipeline technology best suited to its needs in 2019. Since then, the company has invested significant resources in creating a team to develop Superprod's own pipeline, Flow, in line with its current expansion strategy. The group has since deployed the pipeline to Superprod's three studios: Paris, Angoulême, and Milan.

What they are saying: Virginie Clarence, Superprod's Vice Senior Vice President of Animation, said in a release:

Animation is a highly competitive field with ever expanding demands for creativity and technology. Our investment in research and development is essential to our desire to keep up with the industry's development. This strategy allows us to provide our partners with the ability to produce the most ambitious and highest quality work imaginable. The hiring of USD also represents an opportunity to be at the forefront of new markets.

Christophe Archambault, Technical Director of Superprod, and Marc Dubrois, Head of Flow Pipeline, add:

Pixar, MPC, and Animal Logic

Large studios like Pixar, MPC, and Animal Logic were among the first to adopt USD. Today, this USD-based pipeline positions Superprod as one of the top studios in Europe, thanks to USD's superior performance and impressive pipeline potential.