The Foundry Nuke 17.1 v2 Full Version Free Download

Modern VFX production increasingly combines traditional compositing with large-scale 3D data, machine learning, and real-time review workflows. The Foundry Nuke 17.1v2 continues that evolution by expanding its 3D capabilities, improving Gaussian Splat workflows, strengthening review and annotation tools, and adding support for newer camera and video formats.

Released on September 24, 2026, Nuke 17.1v2 is a maintenance release in the Nuke 17.1 family. It introduces a targeted Live Group rendering enhancement and includes a broad collection of bug fixes across annotations, Compare Versions, export, and other areas.

What Is Nuke 17.1v2?

Nuke is The Foundry’s node-based compositing and finishing application for visual effects, widely used for film, television, commercials, and other high-end image-production work. The 17.1 generation expands the application beyond conventional 2D compositing through a more capable USD-based 3D system and native Gaussian Splat workflows.

The 17.1v2 release focuses primarily on refinement and stability while retaining the major technologies introduced throughout the 17.1 series.

For the complete official feature list and release information, visit the official Foundry Nuke What’s New page.

Gaussian Splat Relighting

One of the major capabilities introduced in Nuke 17.1 is expanded Gaussian Splat relighting. SplatRender can generate 2D representations of DirectLight, PointLight, and SpotLight sources for volumetric-based relighting without requiring position or normal data.

Additional shadow controls allow artists to adjust strength, softness, resolution, bias, depth quality, depth range, cutoff, and onset. These controls provide more flexibility when integrating Splats into a conventional VFX scene.

Animated Gaussian Splats

Nuke 17.1 also introduces the GeoSequencer node for bringing animated Gaussian Splats into its USD-based 3D system. It can work with SPLAT, PLY, and USD sequences and convert them into USDC sequences for use within the 3D workspace.

The system also supports exporting Splats through GeoExport in formats including PLY, SPLAT, SPZ, USD, USDC, and USDA. This makes Gaussian Splat assets easier to move through a wider production pipeline.

Hydra 2.0 and GeoRender

The new 3D system receives Hydra 2.0 support, allowing Nuke’s 3D Viewer to preview render delegates such as MoonRay and RenderMan.

The GeoRender node provides a way to render USD scenes through Hydra 2.0 and output available passes, including information such as depth and normals. Additional GeoRender Settings, Products, and Variables nodes provide more granular control over the render configuration.

This gives Nuke a closer connection to USD-based production pipelines and external rendering technologies.

Improved 3D Viewer

The 3D Viewer receives several interface improvements in the 17.1 generation. A new Display menu gives faster access to USD display purposes, light controls, the viewer headlamp, and the 3D grid.

Transform Space and Transform Tools have also been simplified into toggles, reducing interface complexity when working inside the 3D environment.

These changes are aimed at making large scene review and navigation more accessible without requiring artists to repeatedly open properties panels.

Review and Contact Sheet Improvements

Nuke Studio, Hiero, and HieroPlayer receive significant improvements to their review workflow. Sequence-aware Contact Sheets now maintain separate layouts for individual sequences and can restore those layouts when projects are reopened.

Tracks can also be loaded as Contact Sheet cells, allowing plates, lighting, layout, and compositing tracks to be brought into review with less manual setup. HUD overlays can display information such as version numbers, clip names, track names, shot names, and layer information.

A new Stack View also provides an efficient way to step through individual shots and compare iterations.

Better Annotations

The annotation system receives a new Shapes tool for creating rectangles and arrows. These vector-based annotations can be transformed, rotated, scaled, and customized with stroke, fill, colour, and opacity settings.

This is useful during review because feedback can be communicated more precisely than with freehand drawings. The system also provides Python API support for integrating annotation workflows into studio pipelines.

EXR Channel Filtering

Nuke 17.1 introduces expression-based controls for determining which EXR channels are loaded into the channel system. Channels can be turned on or off using patterns, helping artists avoid running into Nuke’s upper channel limit when dealing with extremely large EXRs.

This is particularly useful in modern CG workflows where a single image sequence can contain a substantial number of AOVs and auxiliary channels.

New Camera and Video Formats

Nuke 17.1 adds Apple ProRes RAW support and updated support for Blackmagic RAW 5.1. The update also incorporates newer ARRI Image SDK and ARRI MXF components.

These additions make the application more suitable for workflows involving modern cinema cameras and high-dynamic-range source footage.

Graph Scope Variables

The Variables system receives several workflow improvements, including drag-and-drop organisation, undo and redo support, automatic focus on newly created variables, and session memory for variable grouping and ordering.

These improvements make production configuration easier to manage, particularly in larger projects where variables are used to connect pipeline information and automate repetitive operations.

Nuke 17.1v2 Release Updates

The specific 17.1v2 release adds the --all modifier to Nuke’s -x command-line flag. Using -x --all renders all Write nodes across Live Groups and Precomps, including nested instances.

The release also includes fixes for annotation flickering during Sync Review, annotation playback when caching is slow, Compare Versions updates, Write-node callbacks, and several other stability issues.

Operating System Support

Nuke 17.1v2 supports Windows 11 64-bit, Rocky Linux 9.0 64-bit, and macOS Sequoia 15.x and macOS Tahoe 26.x.

The 17.1 release line is also the last Nuke release line to officially support Intel-based Macs. Future macOS releases of Nuke will require Apple silicon, making 17.1 an important transition point for studios still operating Intel Mac systems.

Who Should Use Nuke 17.1v2?

Nuke is aimed at professional compositors, VFX artists, pipeline teams, supervisors, and studios working on demanding film and television projects.

The 17.1 generation is especially relevant to artists working with USD scenes, Gaussian Splats, advanced 3D integration, machine learning, and large-scale review workflows.

Final Thoughts

The Foundry Nuke 17.1v2 combines the traditional strengths of node-based compositing with increasingly sophisticated 3D and data-driven workflows. Gaussian Splat relighting, animated Splat support, Hydra 2.0, GeoRender, improved review tools, EXR channel filtering, and modern camera-format support make the 17.1 generation a substantial step forward for contemporary VFX pipelines.

The v2 release itself is more focused on stability and production reliability, with the new Live Group command-line rendering option and numerous fixes. For studios adopting Nuke’s newer USD and Gaussian Splat capabilities, 17.1v2 provides a more polished foundation while also marking the final Nuke release line with official Intel Mac support.

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