What is SmartRoto?
SmartRoto is the Nuke plugin that handles the bulk of repetitive roto across frames and sequences. Operating as your specialized roto assistant, it propagates splines from just a couple of initial input frames, keeping you in complete creative control until the final pixel without ever starting over.
Your specialist roto assistant
Whether it’s a 500-frame episodic tracking sequence, or a 20-frame commercial garbage matte, SmartRoto handles the bulk of repetitive roto, freeing up your time for more complex, creative tasks.
Artist-in-the-loop design
Unlike other automation tools, with SmartRoto you can lock and refine shapes throughout the process, so you never need to start over.
Native Roto node integration
SmartRoto operates as part of Nuke’s Roto node to fit seamlessly into existing roto workflows, with minimal pipeline change or training required.
Spine-based control
Other AI tools can be rigid. SmartRoto features a spline-based interface, giving you precise creative control until the final pixel.
Commercially safe
The model underpinning SmartRoto is exclusively trained on licensed data for full commercial use. Everything runs locally and none of your data is transmitted.
Shared licenses
Just like Nuke, SmartRoto is available with Floating or Team-Login licenses. This means they're not locked to individual machines or accounts, so artists working on the same server can share one subscription*.
"I’m shocked at how good SmartRoto is. It uses principles of rotoscoping and incorporates an intuitive, easily adaptable key frame approach that meshes with manual roto practices. It’s easy to fix autogenerated keys, without needing to start from scratch."
— Benjamin Bratt, compositor and author of Rotoscoping: Techniques and Tools for the Aspiring Artist
- AI-powered roto in Nuke
- Annual subscription
- Node-locked, floating, and login licenses available
- Compatible with Nuke 16.1+
- Commercially safe
- Spline-based control
- Up to 4x faster than manual roto
Try SmartRoto free for 90 days
FAQs
What hardware do I need to run SmartRoto?
SmartRoto relies on a graphics card (GPU) to handle processing. For users with less powerful GPUs (smaller VRAM) we recommend working in resolutions less than 2k.
SmartRoto has the same minimum requirement as Nuke for other machine learning tools. An NVIDIA GPU, with compute capability 3.5 or above; or macOS Apple silicon integrated GPUs. The amount of VRAM required to use SmartRoto varies with the resolution of the footage, and the number of rotoshapes and spline points. We recommend >8Gb VRAM.
How is SmartRoto different from other AI roto tools?
Most machine learning tools produce a pixel mask, offering limited control for the artist. When the output isn’t right, the artist needs to start again, with no ability to adjust and refine during the process.
SmartRoto operates as your specialist roto assistant. After just a couple of frames of manual roto, the AI-powered tool applies your initial shapes to the rest of the sequence. It keeps you in control with options for refining generated shapes and locking in your splines to prevent them from being overwritten.
Plus, SmartRoto operates as part of Nuke’s existing Roto node. So there’s minimal pipeline change or training required.
Do I need Nuke to run SmartRoto?
Yes, SmartRoto is a Nuke plugin that upgrades the Roto node. To use SmartRoto, you’ll need a Nuke, NukeX, Nuke Studio, Nuke Indie, or free trial license.
Which version of Nuke do I need to use SmartRoto?
SmartRoto is compatible with Nuke 16.1 onwards. If you’re on an earlier version upgrade your Nuke version.
Is SmartRoto included with my Nuke license?
No, SmartRoto is available as a plugin upgrade and requires a separate license. You can subscribe to SmartRoto here.
Can I try SmartRoto for free?
Yes, you can try it for free by signing up to the SmartRoto free trial.
Can I try SmartRoto without an active Nuke license?
If you don’t currently have an active Nuke, NukeX, Nuke Studio, or Nuke Indie license, you can still access the SmartRoto trial by signing up to the free 30-day Nuke trial.
I’ve already used the Nuke free trial, how can I try SmartRoto?
For the launch of SmartRoto, we’ve reset all Nuke free trials — just like we do for all Nuke releases. Simply sign up to start your new trial, even if you’re already used a free trial in the past.
Are there any restrictions during the free trial period?
No, the SmartRoto free trial is unrestricted and can be used for production work.
How does SmartRoto licensing work?
Just like Nuke, SmartRoto is available as either Nodelocked licenses (for individual artists) or Floating licenses (meaning artists working on the same server can share licenses). Find out more about the different license types.
What data is SmartRoto trained on?
The model underpinning SmartRoto is exclusively trained on licensed data appropriate for full commercial use.
Is my data shared, or used to train Foundry models?
No data is transmitted by SmartRoto, everything runs locally on your workstation.
How do I use SmartRoto?
To learn how to use SmartRoto, you can watch our tutorial or visit our user guide.
How do I install SmartRoto?
To find out how to install SmartRoto visit the installation guide.