[Release] New Golaem Release Announcements

[alexandre_pillon]

You will find below the release notes of each new version of Golaem

Subscribe to the topic using the options menu to be warned about each version

[alexandre_pillon]

Golaem 9.0 Beta (2023/11/10)

New Features

• New Animation Engine which supports translation, orientation and scale animations
• FBX, USDSkel, BVH and Golaem Cache files can now be used directly as Motion Clips in Golaem Behaviors
• New Crowd Level paradigm which allows to recreate a simulation context from a Golaem Cache node
• New PlayAnimation Layer in the Layout Tool to allow motion replacement at layout time
• Modular rigs can now be imported in Golaem (with some limitations)
• New TrackLocator node to define a curve based target mode
• New Follow Track mode in the Goto Behavior
• New LOD and Geometry Tag definition in the Character Maker via LOD Level and Geometry Tag labels

Improvements

• IF Operator triggers are now consistent when a Behavior is disconnected
• Default LOD Levels for a Mesh Asset are read from a custom attribute glmLodLevels when imported in the Character Maker
• Default Geometry Tags for a Mesh Asset are read from a custom attribute glmGeometryTag when imported in the Character Maker
• Entity meshes and materials are now instanced when using the USD Skel Bake Export
• Materials are not overriden anymore if already exported when using the USD Skel Bake Export
• USDA is now available on Linux when using the USD Skel Bake Export
• Character Geometry Files can be exported per LOD or Geometry Tag in the Character Node
• Behavior Container can be shared on multiple Entity Types in the Behavior Editor
• Golaem Attributes can be created on multiple Entity Types in the Behavior Editor
• New Output Channel "None" in the ChOpOutput node 
• New Channel Operator Behavior "outputChannel" Channel
• New Locomotion Behavior "motionClipBlendWeight", "startMotionBlendWeight" Channels
• New Physics Collision Filter attributes in the Entity Type Node
• New Entity Voxels display option in the Entity Visual Feedback
• Improved voxel definition and accuracy on Entities and External Entities
• Added multithread support to the Mesh Render Previz display mode
• Motion Mapping files can now be created from a Golaem Character File
• Simplified Skeleton Mapping for new characters when not using Motion Retargeting

Bug fixes

• Fixed scrolling in the Excluded Mesh Asset Panels of the Character Maker

Refactoring

• Refactored Goto Behavior Attribute Editor
• Refactored ChopInput Attribute Editor
• Refactored TextScrollList controls
• Character Files and Shading Namespaces attributes are now unlocked in the Crowd Manager Node 
• Added submenus for the Terrain Locator, EntityType Node and Target Locator in the Golaem Shelf
• Removed the Golaemisator icon for the Golaem Shelf
• Refactored Golaem Qt Windows names

API

• New glmImportCacheAsSim command
• New setAllNodesOfTypeAttribute function in the Layout Python API

Supported DCCs

• Autodesk Maya 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024
• Autodesk 3ds Max 2020, 2022, 2023
• Foundry Katana 3.X, 4.X, 5.X, 6.X
• Unreal Engine 4.27, 5.1, 5.2
• SideFx Houdini 19.0.622, 19.5.435

Supported Rendering Engines

• Arnold - Mtoa 5.2.X, 5.1.X / KtoA 4.1 / Arnold 7.1.X
• V-Ray - For Maya 5.0.22, 5.1, 5.2 / For 3ds Max 5.1
• Renderman - For Maya 24.X, 25.X / For Katana 24.X, 25.X
• Redshift - For Maya 3.0.46-57 / For Katana 3.0.46-57 / For 3ds Max 3.0.46-57
• USD - Standalone 0.23.08 / For Houdini 19 and 19.5 / For Katana 3.5
• Guerilla Render 2.1, 2.2, 2.3

Also supported (but must be manually installed):

• Arnold - Mtoa 5.3 / Ktoa 4.2 / Arnold 7.2
• V-Ray - For Maya 6.0X, 6.1X / For 3ds Max 6.0X, 6.1X
• Renderman - For Maya 23.X / For Katana 23.X
• Redshift - For Maya 3.5.14-16 / For Katana 3.5.14-16

[alexandre_pillon]

Golaem 9.0.1 (2024/03/07)

New Features

• New CreateEntity Layer in the Layout Tool to allow creation of characters at layout time

Improvements

• Added Ground Offset Adaptation Mode in the PlayMotion Layer of the Layout Tool
• Added Ramp control in the Distance Trigger
• Added support for animated scales when using modular rigs
• Added support for Arnold renderer attributes when baking Simulation Caches in UsdProc
• Added support for Arnold renderer attributes when baking Simulation Caches in UsdSkel
• Added LOD level on the tree view of the Mesh Asset in the Character Maker
• Added orientation support when creating a Population Tool from particles
• Improved performances when manipulating complex Character Files
• Improved Character Geometry export when blendshapes had no target mesh in the scene
• Improved the position of the default exit of the IF Behavior Operator
• Improved Skeleton Automap in the Character Maker
• Traffic safety distance is in Golaem Unit instead of a percentage of the length 

Bug fixes

• Fixed import of Behavior Templates when using Simulation Levels
• Fixed incorrect exported rgbPP attribute when using Simulation Levels
• Fixed Population Tool not being displayed when using Simulation Levels
• Fixed export of multiple CrowdFields when using Simulation Levels
• Fixed Group Entity Type display when using Simulation Levels
• Fixed a crash when using the Motion Collection node
• Fixed a crash when creating a Simulation Level in certain conditions
• Fixed a crash when loading a motion with no selection in the Character Maker
• Fixed a crash when using the SetBone Behavior and the Channel Operator SetBone mode
• Fixed a crash when reloading a scene with the Simulation Exporter Window open
• Fixed a crash when loading multiple FBX motion files
• Fixed a crash when using the SetMeshAsset Layer and the Character File is not accessible
• Fixed a crash in the Behavior Editor when using broken behavior graphs
• Fixed support of scale when using modular rigs
• Fixed motion blending when using stand and locomotion animations at the same time
• Fixed deletion of the Layout File in a Simulation Cache Proxy node
• Fixed body mask computation when using usd/fbx/bvh motion files
• Fixed Character geometry export when using blendshapes in local origin
• Fixed normal computation in the Golaem Character Geometry file
• Fixed Visual Feedback Entity Voxels not working when no Sensors were selected
• Fixed Layout computation when changing the name of the Simulation Cache
• Fixed Body Mask with Blind Data using usd/fbx/bvh motion files
• Fixed a drift in orientation when using usd/fbx/bvh motion files
• Fixed PlayAnimation layout node was not keeping the skeleton overrides values
• Fixed AdaptGround Behavior Attribute Editor
• Fixed MotionCollection Attribute Editor

Refactoring

• Added support for Houdini 20.0
• Removed support for Houdini 19.0
• Added support for USD 0.23.11
• Added support for MayaUSD 0.23.0 - 0.27.0
• Removed support for USD 0.23.08
• Refactored ChopInput Attribute Editor
• Added submenus for the Target Locator in the Golaem Shelf

Supported DCCs

• Autodesk Maya 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024
• Autodesk 3ds Max 2022, 2023, 2024
• Foundry Katana 3.X, 4.X, 5.X, 6.X
• Unreal Engine 4.27, 5.2, 5.3
• SideFx Houdini 19.5.716, 20.0.506

Supported Rendering Engines

• Arnold - Mtoa 5.2.X, 5.1.X / KtoA 4.1 / Arnold 7.1.X
• V-Ray - For Maya 5.0.22, 5.1, 5.2 / For 3ds Max 5.1
• Renderman - For Maya 24.X, 25.X / For Katana 24.X, 25.X
• Redshift - For Maya 3.0.46-57 / For Katana 3.0.46-57 / For 3ds Max 3.0.46-57
• USD - Standalone 0.23.11 / For MayaUSD 0.23.0 - 0.27.0 / For Houdini 19.5 and 20.0 / For Katana 3.5
• Guerilla Render 2.1, 2.2, 2.3

Also supported (but must be manually installed):

• Arnold - Mtoa 5.3 / Ktoa 4.2 / Arnold 7.2
• V-Ray - For Maya 6.0X, 6.1X / For 3ds Max 6.0X, 6.1X
• Renderman - For Maya 23.X / For Katana 23.X
• Redshift - For Maya 3.5.14-16 / For Katana 3.5.14-16

[nicolas_chaverou]

Golaem 9.1.1 (2024/08/01)

Improvements

• Weighted Asset Group nodes distribution can now be controlled using Golaem Attributes
• Multiple motion files can be played in the PlayMotion Layer of the Layout Tool
• Added access to the Mesh Asset Assignment window in the SetMeshAsset Layer of the Layout Tool
• Added Apply button in the Entity Mesh Asset Assignment window
• Added Highlight Factor attribute used when selecting an Entity in Simulation or Cache Replay mode
• Selection outline can be disabled during simulation and cache replay
• Rigid bodies can now be disabled in the Physics Override node of the Character Maker
• Added a menu entry to add a selected Golaem node to the current level
• Added an option to select entities inside meshes in the Entity Selector Layer
• Added display mask options on the CrowdCachePosture Layer of the Layout Tool
• Added display mask options on the CrowdCacheRig Layer of the Layout Tool
• Added an option to disable bone-to-bone replay mapping on the Locomotion behavior
• Disable bone-to-bone replay mapping when using a mirrored animation in Motion and Locomotion behaviors
• Added a External Maya Field threshold attribute in the Crowd Manager 

Bug fixes

• Fixed a crash when initializing a simulation from particles with a lifespan set to 0
• Fixed brush position when using the Population Tool Free Place mode for Maya < 2024
• Fixed rotateNoise not taken into account in the Rotate Layer of the Layout Tool
• Fixed first slot invalid position in the Population Tool Free Place mode
• Fixed Population Tool Entity Type and Rendering Type randomness
• Fixed bones excluded from IK in the IK Behavior
• Fixed Mesh Render Previz not using existing materials

API

• Added -getEntitiesIdsInMesh flag in the glmLayoutTool command

Supported DCCs

• Autodesk Maya 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024
• Autodesk 3ds Max 2022, 2023, 2024
• Foundry Katana 3.X, 4.X, 5.X, 6.X
• Unreal Engine 4.27, 5.2, 5.3
• SideFx Houdini 19.5.716, 20.0.688

Supported Rendering Engines

• Arnold Mtoa 5.4.X / KtoA 4.2 / Arnold 7.3.X
• V-Ray For Maya 6.0X, 6.1X / For 3ds Max 6.0X, 6.1X
• Renderman For Maya 25.X, 24.X / For Katana 25.X, 24.X
• Redshift For Maya 3.0.46-57 / For Katana 3.0.46-57 / For 3ds Max 3.0.46-57
• USD Standalone 0.23.11 / For MayaUSD 0.23.0 0.27.0 / For Houdini 19.5 and 20.0 / For Katana 3.5
• Guerilla Render 2.1, 2.2, 2.3

Also supported (but must be manually installed):

• Arnold Mtoa 5.3 / Ktoa 4.2 / Arnold 7.2
• V-Ray For Maya 6.2X / For 3ds Max 6.2X
• Renderman For Maya 23.X / For Katana 23.X
• Redshift For Maya 3.5.14-16 / For Katana 3.5.14-16

[nicolas_chaverou]

Golaem 9.2 (2025/03/26)

Important notice

Golaem Lite features do not require a license anymore, only simulation does

Golaem Personal Learning Edition has been replaced by Autodesk 30 days evaluation

Improvements

• Added orientation support in the IK Behavior
• Added multi values comparison in the CurrentFrame, Expression, Texture and Painted Zone Triggers
• Added group relative lookAt attribute in the Population Tool
• Added reset slot positions in the Population Tool free place mode
• Restored Entity Type weights in the Group Entity Type Node
• Added a scale parameter in the Cloth Behavior
• Added skinned weights Alembic support in the Golaem Fur Cache file
• Added an execution order attribute in the MassSpring Behavior.
• Added Body Mask Attributes for bones and blind data in the PlayAnimation Layer of the Layout Tool
• Added a Snap Mode in the SnapTool Layer of the Layout Tool
• Added support of Locomotion Behavior when using the Traffic Behaviors
• Added more decimals for scalar values in the Layout Tool
• Added shortcuts to change text, size, color in the Behavior Editor Notes
• Behavior Editor Notes can be moved with their content
• Matrices are now blended smoothly when used in Blind Data
• Added custom framerate override on the GolaemCache Node in the Golaem For Unreal plugin

Bug fixes

• Fixed Simulation Exporter load settings
• Fixed ChOp Input type detection bug
• Fixed ChOp expression when not empty
• Fixed Rigid Body creation error messages
• Fixed Motion Blur when using temporal AA in the Golaem For Unreal plugin
• Fixed Sequence Frame Range in the Golaem For Unreal plugin
• Fixed Population Tool placement when using traffic curves and the Crowd Unit
• Fixed EntityType refresh in the Population Tool
• Fixed Rendering Type color in the Population Tool Free Place mode
• Fixed slow Population Tool refresh when using colliders with many potential slots
• Fixed orientation and orientation noise in Component Mode in the Population Tool
• Fixed orientation when lookAt is enabled in the Population Tool
• Fixed a crash when editing slots in the Population Tool free place mode
• Fixed a crash when opening the Layout Tool invalid entities in cache
• Fixed a crash when appending different Population Tools to the same particle system
• Fixed a crash when using more than 9 entityTypes and MasterSlave Behavior
• Fixed a crash when running a simulation with an empty If Behavior Operator
• Fixed a crash when using SetGeometryFile Layer in the USDProc plugin
• Fixed exploding postures when using series of LookAt Layers in the Layout Tool
• Fixed SetRenderingType Layer with Shading Node Attributes in the Layout Tool
• Fixed TimeOffset Layer with Shading Node Attributes in the Layout Tool
• Fixed blind data replay in the PlayAnimation Layer of the Layout Tool
• Fixed ReplaceLODDistances Layer in the Layout Tool
• Fixed Layout Tool frame range in Layout Nodes
• Fixed Simulation Cache Library loading in Python 3
• Fixed GCG Import in Maya
• Fixed entityKilled flag in the glmSimCacheTool command
• Fixed FBX Motion Clip animation replay (_rootHeightUnscaled error message)
• Fixed steering angle when overtaking in the Traffic Behavior
• Fixed naming conflicts when using the Character Maker Locator shapes
• Fixed append producing an additional crowdField

Refactoring

• Added Autodesk licensing
• Added support for Maya 2026
• Added support for Maya 2025
• Added support for Unreal Engine 5.4
• Added support for Houdini 20.0.688 linux gcc11
• Added support Arnold 7.4 / MtoA 5.5 in Maya 2026
• Added support for Redshift 3.6.0
• Removed Golaem RLM licensing
• Removed support for Maya 2020
• Removed support for Unreal Engine 5.2
• Removed support for Redshift 3.0.46
• Refactored Advanced Attributes in Motion & Locomotion
• Blind data are now read by default in Locomotion Behavior
• Refactored the Character Maker default Display
• Removed Weight Attribute in the MassSpring Behavior

API

• Added a lodName flag in the glmExportCharacterGeometry command
• Added glmEntityIds flag in the USD procedural plugin syntax

Supported DCCs

• Autodesk Maya 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
• Autodesk 3ds Max 2022, 2023, 2024
• Foundry Katana 3.X, 4.X, 5.X, 6.X
• Unreal Engine 4.27, 5.3, 5.4
• SideFx Houdini 19.5.716, 20.0.688

Supported Rendering Engines

• Arnold - Mtoa 5.4.X / KtoA 4.2 / Arnold 7.3.X & Mtoa 5.5.X for Maya 2026
• V-Ray - For Maya 6.0X, 6.1X / For 3ds Max 6.0X, 6.1X
• Renderman - For Maya 25.X, 24.X / For Katana 25.X, 24.X
• Redshift - For Maya 3.6.0-1 / For Katana 3.6.0-1 / For 3ds Max 3.6.0-1
• USD - Standalone 0.23.11 / For MayaUSD 0.23.0 - 0.27.0 / For Houdini 19.5 and 20.0 / For Katana 3.5
• Guerilla Render 2.1, 2.2, 2.3

Also supported (but must be manually installed):

• Arnold - Mtoa 5.3 / Ktoa 4.2 / Arnold 7.2
• V-Ray - For Maya 6.2X / For 3ds Max 6.2X
• Renderman - For Maya 23.X / For Katana 23.X
• Redshift - For Maya 3.5.14-16 / For Katana 3.5.14-16