ZEISS is inviting VFX artists to register for a closed beta of CinCraft Digital Lens Expertise, a Nuke plugin that simulates real-world lens habits inside 2D compositing. The three-month program is ready for December 2025 by February 2026, with restricted slots and choice primarily based on expertise and technical match.
ZEISS positions this instrument (which we reported about earlier than) as a one-click lens attribute simulator that brings lens-true outcomes to submit workflows, aiming to cut back guesswork and enhance consistency between set and suite. The beta facilities on a Nuke plugin, powered by GPU rendering, that reproduces nuanced optical traits slightly than generic “seems.”
What the digital lens goals to do
In response to ZEISS, the Digital Lens leverages ray-tracing mechanics to copy cat-eye bokeh, chromatic aberration, distortion, and focus fall-off, amongst different traits. The concept is to let artists select from a digital library of lenses very like checking choices at a rental home, then apply these properties immediately in comp. The objective is photorealistic, lens-true outcomes throughout situations from cleanup and picture tweaks to complicated VFX pictures, with easy efficiency through GPU-based rendering.
How the beta works
The closed beta runs December 2025 to February 2026. Chosen contributors obtain entry to the CinCraft Digital Lens plugin for Nuke and can present suggestions by a ZEISS kind and direct correspondence. Functions are open now, and ZEISS notes that locations are restricted, with choice primarily based on related expertise and technical necessities. Candidates will obtain affirmation by e mail upon submission.
ZEISS Digital Lens plugin demonstration. Picture credit score: ZEISS
The place this suits in CinCraft
Digital Lens Expertise builds on the present CinCraft ecosystem, which incorporates CinCraft State of affairs for real-time digital camera monitoring and CinCraft Mapper for frame-accurate lens distortion and shading information utilized in compositing and matchmoving. ZEISS frames the brand new instrument as one other step towards tighter continuity between seize and submit.
Who it’s for
This beta targets skilled VFX and compositing artists who want genuine optical habits inside Nuke with out resorting to time-consuming handbook approximations. It must be notably related for groups standardizing lens traits throughout pictures, recreating on-set optics in submit, or aligning CG and live-action plates with lens-true cues like bokeh geometry and distortion.
Tips on how to apply
ZEISS has opened registration for the closed beta. VFX artists can submit through the devoted kind and await e mail affirmation if chosen. ZEISS will share updates on the product web page because the beta progresses.
Quick and candy: are you planning to use, and what lens traits would you stress-test first?
