Mari

Mari by Foundry is a high-end 3D texture painting application used by studios creating detailed assets for film, VFX, and animation. Known for its ability to handle massive texture sets and complex materials, Mari supports multi-channel workflows, UDIMs, and physically based rendering pipelines. It’s commonly used in look development and asset preparation for hero characters, environments, and props in high-resolution productions.

What It Does Best

• High-Resolution Texturing: Paint ultra-detailed textures on multi-UDIM models with no resolution cap.

• Layered Material System: Use non-destructive layers and procedural masks for complex surface detailing.

• Pipeline Integration: Seamlessly fits into studio workflows with support for Python scripting, OpenColorIO, and render engine shaders like Arnold, V-Ray, and Renderman.

Who It’s For

• VFX Artists: Painting and preparing hero assets for feature films, commercials, or TV productions.

• Look Dev Teams: Creating realistic surface finishes, wear, dirt, and material blends for animation pipelines.

• Asset Creators: Working in 3D environments that require flexibility, resolution, and real-time feedback.

What Makes It Unique

Mari stands out for its ability to paint across hundreds of UDIM tiles at once without losing performance. It allows artists to focus on the creative process without worrying about technical limitations—ideal for high-detail assets in cinematic productions.

Before You Start

• Available for Windows and Linux; requires a strong GPU and high memory for smooth performance.

• Commercial licenses are required; trial version available for evaluation.

• Commonly paired with Maya, Houdini, and Katana in professional 3D workflows.

Final Thoughts

Mari is a top-tier solution for high-resolution texture work—purpose-built for artists who need ultimate control, detail, and flexibility when preparing assets for cinematic rendering and animation.