Ukrainian deep-tech company Zibra AI has unveiled its latest innovation, ZibraVDB, a revolutionary tool for processing volumetric visual effects (VFX) in real time. The product, which promises to transform the VFX industry, was announced by Sergey Tokarev, Roosh co-founder, on LinkedIn. With ZibraVDB, filmmakers can now create complex visual effects faster and more efficiently than ever before, positioning Ukraine as a key player in global tech innovation.
Traditional VFX production often struggles with the processing of large data volumes, relying on sequential frame processing that slows down production. This is where ZibraVDB stands out, using new compression technology to compress visual effects up to 100 times and decompress them instantly during rendering.
Sergey Tokarev described the product as a breakthrough for virtual production, stating, “I am proud that Ukrainian developers are leading the charge in solving such complex challenges. ZibraVDB showcases Ukraine’s capacity to push the boundaries of what is possible in deep-tech.”
ZibraVDB represents a significant shift in how visual effects are created, offering greater efficiency and flexibility to production teams. Traditional VFX workflows often require powerful, expensive hardware, limiting access to advanced effects technology. ZibraVDB, however, is designed to work on any hardware, making it accessible to a wider range of creators—from major studios to small indie teams.
According to Sergey Tokarev, ZibraVDB’s affordability will make it easier for small teams to create high-quality effects while giving large studios the flexibility to adapt the technology to their unique project needs. This democratization of VFX technology will allow creators at all levels to enhance their projects with stunning visual effects.
ZibraVDB has been designed with ease of use in mind. It integrates seamlessly with widely-used VFX tools such as Unreal Engine and Houdini, allowing developers to incorporate the product into their existing workflows with minimal disruption. This ensures that production teams can adopt ZibraVDB quickly without overhauling their processes.
As Sergey Tokarev states, future updates will optimize ZibraVDB for next-generation gaming platforms like the PS5 and expand support for consoles, positioning the product to remain a vital tool for the future of entertainment technology.
ZibraVDB’s pricing structure offers plans suited to different types of users. The Studio Plan is designed for larger teams with over $250,000 in revenue or $1 million in funding, providing flexible pricing options such as subscriptions or per-project fees. Custom pricing is also available for render-only nodes with offline licensing.
For smaller teams and individual developers, the Individual Plan is available at $29 per month or $299 annually, offering perpetual rendering and support. This plan is designed for teams with less than $250,000 in revenue, making it a cost-effective solution for indie developers.
ZibraVDB for Houdini is currently in Alpha Test mode and was introduced during the Houdini HIVE Event in September 2024. The Alpha version is free with pre-approval and includes advanced features like volume compression and real-time decompression, further enhancing the flexibility and power of the product.