Foundry NUKE (v.13 and newer)

Foundry Nuke is a powerful compositing tool that can leverage GPU acceleration to significantly improve performance in tasks like rendering, playback, and complex image processing. Here's how to enable GPU acceleration and optimize Nuke for faster workflows.

How to Enable GPU Acceleration in Nuke

1. Launch Nuke
   Open the application from the default path:
   C:\Program Files\Nuke13.0v1\Nuke13.0.exe

2. Enable GPU Acceleration

   

   • Select Edit from the top global navigation menu, then go to Preferences.

   • Under Performance, click on Hardware.

   • In the Default Blink Device dropdown, select your NVIDIA GPU to ensure GPU-based processing.

These steps will allow Nuke to utilize your GPU for hardware-accelerated tasks, resulting in faster rendering and improved playback performance for high-resolution composites.

Top Tips to Speed Up Nuke Performance

1. Optimize GPU Usage
   Increase the amount of VRAM allocated to Nuke by adjusting the GPU Texture Cache Size in Preferences > Performance > Hardware. This ensures better handling of large image sequences or 3D content without stalling.

2. Use Fast Storage Solutions
   For intensive tasks like reading and writing large files, use an SSD or other fast storage devices. This reduces I/O bottlenecks, especially when working with large image sequences in formats like EXR.

3. Lower Viewer Resolution for Previews
   While editing, consider lowering the Viewer resolution by adjusting the downscale ratio. This will speed up previews without sacrificing final render quality.

4. Precomp Heavy Sections
   When working with complex nodes, precomp sections of the Nuke script to reduce real-time processing during playback. Precomps help in offloading complex calculations to disk, making your workflow faster.

5. Update to the Latest Version
   Each new version of Nuke includes performance improvements and optimizations for GPU rendering, so ensure you're always using the most current version.

Foundry NUKE System Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• Operating System:

  • Windows: Windows 10 (64-bit).

  • macOS: macOS Monterey (12.6) or Ventura (13.6).

  • Linux: CentOS 7.

• Processor: x86-64 processor, such as Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon, with SSE3 instruction set support (or newer).

• RAM: At least 8 GB.

• Graphics Card: Graphics card with at least 512 MB of video memory and driver support for OpenGL 2.0.

• Storage: 5 GB disk space available for caching and temporary files.

• Display Resolution: At least 1280 x 1024 pixel resolution and 24-bit color.

Recommended Specifications:

• Processor: Intel Xeon or AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO series for enhanced performance.

• RAM: 32 GB or more, especially for handling complex compositions and high-resolution footage.

• Graphics Card: NVIDIA Quadro RTX series or AMD Radeon Pro series with 8 GB or more VRAM for optimal GPU acceleration.

• Storage: Solid State Drive (SSD) for faster load times and data access.

• Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080 or higher for a more detailed and expansive workspace.

Meeting these specifications will help you get the most out of Nuke, ensuring efficient workflows and high-quality outputs. Keep in mind that more complex projects, especially those involving high-resolution footage or intricate effects, will benefit from higher-end hardware configurations.

Top Recommended GPUs for Nuke

1. NVIDIA RTX A5000
   The RTX A5000 offers a great balance of performance and memory, making it ideal for professional Nuke users handling complex compositions or high-resolution footage.

2. NVIDIA RTX 3090
   With 24GB of VRAM, the RTX 3090 is perfect for users working on very large projects, ensuring smooth handling of multi-layer composites and 3D rendering.

3. NVIDIA Quadro RTX 6000
   The Quadro RTX 6000 delivers high-end performance with advanced CUDA cores, making it excellent for demanding Nuke workflows, particularly in production environments.

By enabling GPU acceleration and following these optimization tips, you can enhance Nuke’s performance and achieve faster rendering and smoother playback in your compositing workflows.

Enjoy Faster Renderings and Workflow with Vagon

When the goal is to cut down rendering times and speeding up your workflow, every second saved is a victory. But what if you could do more than just save a few seconds?

With Vagon’s cloud PCs powered by 48 cores, 4 x 24GB RTX-enabled NVIDIA GPUs and 192GB of RAM, work on your projects faster than ever. It’s easy to use, right in your browser. You can transfer your workspace and files in just a few clicks and try it yourself!