Cascadeur 2025.3

Cascadeur 2025.3

Cascadeur is a specialized 3D animation software that combines traditional keyframing with AI-assisted tools and built-in physics simulation. It is designed to help animators create realistic, physically plausible character motion especially for action sequences like jumps, flips, fights, and sports by automating complex aspects like balance, momentum, and body mechanics. Its unique approach allows animators to focus on the art of motion while the software assists with the underlying physics.

🎞️ Primary Users

Cascadeur is developed for 3D animators, game developers, VFX artists, and indie filmmakers. It is specifically designed for professionals and enthusiasts who create character animations with a focus on physics-based realism, dynamic motion, and complex acrobatics, leveraging AI tools to speed up the keyframe animation workflow.

✨ Key Features & Capabilities

• AI-Assisted Posing & Inbetweening: “AutoPosing” suggests physically correct poses based on a few keyframes, and “AutoPhysics” refines animation to obey laws of motion, balance, and momentum.

• Physics-Based Animation Tools: Real-time simulation tools to adjust center of mass, angular momentum, and trajectory arcs directly in the viewport for realistic jumps and throws.

• Secondary Motion & Follow-Through Automation: Tools to automatically add convincing secondary motion (like hair, clothing, or tails) and overlap/follow-through to primary animation.

• Non-Linear Animation & Blending: A node-based editor for non-destructive animation blending, layering, and editing, allowing for iterative changes without losing work.

• Rig Import & Universal Rig Support: Works with custom FBX rigs and includes a universal “Bouncy” rig for quick prototyping. Excellent for game-style humanoid rigs.

• Camera & Shot Management: Integrated tools for setting up camera shots and creating simple edits within the software for pre-visualization.

• Python Scripting & Data Export: Full Python API for automation and pipeline integration, with export to common formats (FBX, USD) for use in game engines and other DCCs.

🆕 What’s New in Cascadeur 2025.3

This update introduces major AI advancements, new core tools, and improved pipeline integration:

1. Neural Physics AI (Beta): A next-generation AI model that provides even more accurate and context-aware suggestions for physical motion, improving the quality of AutoPosing and AutoPhysics predictions.

2. New Motion Matching Tool: A library-based tool that allows animators to find and blend clips from a motion capture database directly within Cascadeur to kickstart animations.

3. Enhanced FBX Import/Export: Improved reliability and support for a wider range of custom rigs and animation data when exchanging files with Blender, Maya, or Unreal Engine.

4. Multi-Select & Batch Operations: New workflow enhancements allowing for the simultaneous editing of multiple animation curves or character limbs, significantly speeding up polishing stages.

5. UI/UX Overhaul & Performance: A more streamlined interface with customizable workspaces and under-the-hood optimizations for smoother playback with complex scenes.

🖥️ System Requirements (Windows – Recommended)

• OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit) version 21H2 or later

• CPU: Modern multi-core processor (Intel Core i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7/9). High single-core speed benefits the viewport and AI tools.

• RAM: 16 GB minimum (32 GB recommended for working with multiple characters or complex scenes)

• GPU: Critical: A dedicated, modern GPU with 4 GB+ VRAM. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 / RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 580 / RX 6600 or better. Required for smooth 3D viewport performance.

• Disk Space: 2 GB free space for installation (SSD recommended)

• Other: A 3-button mouse is required. A graphics tablet can be useful for curve editing. An internet connection is required for installation, activation of Pro features, and accessing the online asset library.