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.

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.