Foundry Launches Nuke Stage Virtual Production Application

Foundry has introduced Nuke Stage, a specialized application designed for virtual production and in-camera visual effects (ICVFX). The software enables the real-time playback of photorealistic environments onto LED walls, allowing visual effects artists to maintain creative control over imagery and color from the pre-production phase through to final post-production.

The application is designed to bridge the gap between offline visual effects workflows and the requirements of real-time on-set production. By unifying pre-production and final pixels, Foundry aims to reduce the risk of costly rework that often occurs when offline assets must be converted for use in a game engine or vice versa.

Nuke Stage is currently available in invite-only early access.

OpenUSD Workflow and Real-Time Manipulation

The core workflow of Nuke Stage is based on OpenUSD (Universal Scene Description), an industry-standard framework for 3D data. This allows users to load USD scenes created in other digital content creation (DCC) applications that support the format directly into the Nuke Stage Editor.

Within the editor, users can manipulate USD scenes in real time using a node graph. This system allows artists to add 3D meshes or apply images and effects to cameras, displays, and USD primitives. While the software does not require Nuke, Foundry’s primary compositing software, it is designed to be familiar and friendly to artists already experienced with the Nuke ecosystem.

The tool supports the creation of detailed background environments that can be projected as 2D, 2.5D, or 3D imagery. Users can import and control Gaussian Splats to achieve high-fidelity 3D scenes or bring in 3D geometry to add surface textures and color.

Technical Specifications for On-Set Production

To ensure high-resolution playback without compromising quality, Nuke Stage includes native support for B44 EXR and NotchLC. The use of NotchLC is intended to provide efficient file sizes, while .EXR support maintains high-fidelity imaging.

The application includes several features designed for the physical demands of a film set:

• Camera Synchronization: The software provides native integration with industry-standard tracking systems, including MoSys, Vicon, and Optitrack, to ensure real-time synchronization between the virtual environment and physical camera movements.
• Sequencing: A sequencer allows users to drag and drop content and use one-click key framing to animate elements. Enhanced feed mapping is also available to move content between different screens.
• Color Pipeline: To ensure precise color matching on set that carries into post-production, Nuke Stage supports HDR, OCIO, and ACEScg.

Market Position and Competitive Landscape

Foundry’s entry into the virtual production market places it alongside other developers of offline VFX tools moving into real-time solutions. This includes Chaos, which launched its real-time rendering solution for LED walls, Chaos Arena, in March 2025.

Both Foundry and Chaos are competing in a sector where Epic Games has established a significant presence through Unreal Engine. Unreal Engine currently provides a dedicated ICVFX toolset and serves as a primary real-time renderer for many virtual production stages.

Foundry’s strategic approach centers on continuity. By focusing on the transition from offline assets to real-time playback, Nuke Stage attempts to streamline the pipeline for studios that rely heavily on traditional VFX tools but wish to utilize the benefits of LED volume production.