Toronto-based compositing software developers eyeon Software have announced the latest version of Fusion, version 5.1, during at SIGGRAPH 2006 in Boston. Making use of Fusion 5's integrated 2D and 3D multi-processor architecture, eyeon confirmed that Fusion 5.1 will include a number of new features, such as 3DS, OBJ and FBX support to allow for importing of models and scenes; the capability to project images and live action onto 3D geometry; the ability to apply twists, tapers, bends and skews with Bender 3D; as well as other tools including 3D Displace, Sky Creator and Distort tools. Other enhancements with the version include paint enhancements such as new multi-stroke paint features and performance enhancements, mask improvements that now use standard tools like merge or boolean, multi-path maps for large networks, universal Windows and AE plug-ins that can run under Linux, and UI improvements including color organization of flow tools, plug-in LUT loaders, file browser enhancements and a hot key manager. The Fusion 5.1 beta program of eyeon's universal cross-platform application will be implemented directly following SIGGRAPH 2006, simultaneously on multiple Linux distributions and Windows. The latest version of Fusion 5.1 has also been thoroughly tested on Intel-based Macs. Fusion 5.1 will be a free upgrade for all existing Fusion 5 customers via download and is expected to ship Q3 2006. “With the release of Fusion 5.1 and the definitive approach to universal platform support, we have never been more excited to present Fusion's latest rendition to the industry's varied requirements,” said Joanne Dicaire, director of business development for eyeon Software. “The proliferation of work in film, broadcast, games and motion graphics has exploded and we are proud to offer every facility a comprehensive image processing solution regardless of platform preference.”