Avid announced a new version of Pro Tools that empowers users to take on virtual reality (VR) projects with Facebook 360 Spatial Workstation. Debuting at AES New York 2017, the new version includes updates to the integrated Dolby Atmos workflows: users working on virtual reality projects can now produce immersive, full-sphere, surround sound content from start to finish in Pro Tools HD. Users can easily edit and mix audio in a 3D space with support for first-, second- and third-order Ambisonics formats across Pro Tools HD tracks and busses, and then output and deliver to the required formats for playback. Musicians and composers using Pro Tools can now create faster with enhanced MIDI functionality, work smarter with MIDI input display, and quickly find tracks with the new Scroll to Track feature. A new batch rename feature enables to quickly rename groups of clips or tracks instantly (more). Pro Tools First, the free version of Pro Tools, gains the same MIDI enhancements as Pro Tools users. In addition, it can now turn session documents from earlier Pro Tools versions into Projects that are ready for cloud backup and collaboration. Pro Tools 12.8.2 is available now. [source]

At Adobe MAX 2017, Adobe unveiled the next generation of Creative Cloud, including four brand new applications, Adobe XD CC for experience design, Adobe Dimension CC for 2D to 3D compositing, Character Animator CC for 2D animation, and an all-new cloud-based photography service, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC. In addition, Adobe announced feature updates to its flagship applications including Photoshop CC, InDesign CC, Illustrator CC and Premiere Pro CC, and ongoing expansion of its Adobe Stock service. All of these updates include capabilities powered by Adobe Sensei, Adobe's artificial intelligence and machine learning platform. Adobe Photoshop CC now offers significantly expanded photography support, major improvements in learning and getting started, and enhanced overall performance; while the Adobe Illustrator CC delivers multiple workflow, user experience and performance improvements. Adobe InDesign CC expands users' ability to work more efficiently so they can create multi-page layouts with ease. Adobe Premiere Pro CC introduces deep collaboration features, state-of-the-art immersive 360/VR workflows and responsive motion graphics controls. Adobe After Effects CC improves the efficiency of motion graphics creation by streamlining the ability to create data-driven graphics and deliver high-quality VR and 3D results. And it does it all faster with GPU performance enhancements. Updates to Creative Cloud desktop software are now available, including membership plans for individuals, students, teams, educational institutions, government agencies and enterprises. [source]

Grass Valley will launch EDIUS 9 with new floating licenses, new HDR capabilities, enhanced interface, and integrated HDR support on November 1, 2017. A new cloud-ready floating license package is designed for large facilities such as broadcast stations or educational environments, allowing users to install EDIUS across multiple systems and then run a set number simultaneously at any given time, adding more licenses as needed. The floating license package will be available in April 2018. EDIUS 9 performance enhancements include native editing of HDR material; ability to mix SDR and HDR material in the same project; workflow updates, such as Canon EOS C200 Cinema RAW Light decoding, still RAW file decoding and improvement of the user interface; updated third-party hardware support; third-party hardware 4K 50p/60p output support (EDIUS Workgroup 9 only); and Mync (media management software) bundled with EDIUS 9 updated with a powerful new Meta Smart Search function. [source]

Steinberg released a maintenance update 4.0.10 for VST Connect Pro, VST Connect SE and VST Connect Performer, its remote recording solution that lets you collaborate with any musician with an Internet connection and a computer anywhere on the planet. The update resolves an issue where the login to the MySteinberg user account was no longer possible. Only version 4 of VST Connect Pro, SE and Performer was affected by this issue. [source]

Boris FX released major new versions of its flagship plug-in collections Sapphire and Continuum (formerly BCC). The products mark the first combined development effort borne from the addition of Sapphire to the award-winning Boris FX product line, which also includes Mocha. Continuum 11 delivers more powerful Photron Primatte chroma keying and compositing tools, new streamlined titling options, and a new VR Unit for 360/VR editing and finishing tasks, the result of a collaboration with the award-winning Mocha VR development team. Sapphire 11 integrates Mocha tracking and masking, adds new presets and transition, and is also now available as 8 individual effect categories each at a freelance-friendly price point. Sapphire 11 is now available for Avid, Adobe, the Autodesk Flame Family, and supported OFX hosts applications; Continuum 11 is available for Avid and Adobe host applications, versions for OFX and Apple will be released later this year. [source]

The Unity game engine 2017.2 introduces new 2D world-building tools, support for new XR platforms, and thanks to an exclusive collaboration between Unity and Autodesk, faster importing and exporting between Maya/3ds Max and Unity. Unity 2017.2 also features updates to the storytelling tools Timeline and Cinemachine, as well as support for ARCore, ARKit, Vuforia, and Windows Mixed Reality immersive headsets. Unity 2017.2 is now available for download! [source]

New Blackmagic Camera 4.5 update marks the release of two new accessories for the popular URSA Mini Pro 4.6K digital cinema camera from Blackmagic Design: the Blackmagic URSA Mini SSD recorder, and the Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro F Mount. The new Blackmagic URSA Mini SSD recorder records RAW or ProRes data onto 2.5'' SSDs, while the F Mount allows to use classic Nikon AF-S G and AF-D series lenses. This update also improves SDI output latency to less than 1 frame as well as lowering LCD monitoring latency, improves support for B4 lenses, and fixes focus and iris control bugs with some Cannon lenses. [source]

Alien Skin's Exposure X3 is now available! The latest version of this creative photo editor includes new organizing tools with keyword support, and the ability to create collections as well as virtual copies; and also new creative editing tools like side-by-side view enabling users to compare multiple images, or to compare the same image using multiple presets. Exposure's new linear and radial tools make it easy to achieve a seamless, natural fade between multiple effects. Exposure X3 also includes six new presets that make use of this new capability. [source]

Steinberg had a chance to visit some artists and expert-producers including Perrin Moss of Hiatus Kaiyote, record producer and songwriter Stuart Stuart, the alt-pop producer, Yeo, and others. Watch The Cubase Collective to see these artists share exclusive insights from their creative spaces and studios, to get an idea of their unique approach to using Cubase for songwriting, producing and mastering their music. [source]

Propellerhead released Rack Extension plug-in subscriptions for Reason. In addition to Rack Extensions being sold separately, the new Rack Extension subscription offers a unique, flexible way to get new creative tools at a new low price. With hundreds of plug-ins to choose from, Rack Extensions subscriptions lets Reason users curate their own personal set of plug-ins. Rack Extensions are sold as standalone products or can be accessed via subscriptions: the Standard Subscription Plan is 9 USD/EUR and offers up to 400 USD worth of Rack Extensions; the Medium Subscription Plan is 19 USD/EUR (1000 USD worth of Rack Extensions); and the Large Subscription Plan for 29 USD/EUR allows up to 3000 USD worth of Rack Extensions... [source]