Kinematic 0.5.0 is out. Modeling and sculpting in the viewport, a timeline on every graph, photo and sound editing. What's new
Kinematic / Works with

Works with what you have.

Files, protocols, gear and the other apps on your desk. Find yours, see which part of Kinematic talks to it, then go make something with it.

Files in and out

Open it. Save it. Pass it on.

What opens, what saves, and what comes along with it.

A scan opened from SPZ and saved as glTF
A scan opened from SPZ and saved as glTF
22 formats

3D

Models, scenes, scans, characters, terrain and simulation caches.

FormatOpensSavesWhat comes alongNodes
Models and scenes
glTF.gltf .glbOpensSaves

Meshes, PBR materials, textures and the scene tree. Save one binary .glb or one text .gltf.

3DGeoImportGLTF3DGeoExportGLTF
FBX.fbxOpensSaves

Materials, cameras, lights and instancing come in. Rigged models keep their bones, weights and takes. Save with the axes set for Unreal, Unity, Blender or Maya.

3DGeoImportFBX3DGeoExportFBX
USD.usda .usdc .usdzOpensSaves

Meshes, materials, cameras, lights and point instancers come in. Scenes save as .usda text. Splat clouds and rigged characters also save as .usdc, or as one .usdz package for Apple devices and Omniverse.

3DGeoImportUSD3DGeoExportUSD
Alembic.abcOpensSaves

Meshes and subdivision cages come in as polygons. Save one frame or a whole animated cache in the standard layout Blender, Maya and Houdini read.

3DGeoImportABC3DGeoExportABC
OBJ.obj .mtlOpensSaves

Quads and n-gons stay whole, and the .mtl file beside it comes along.

3DGeoImportOBJ3DGeoExportOBJ
PLY.plyOpensSaves

Meshes, point clouds and splat clouds, with vertex color.

3DGeoImportPLY3DGeoExportPLY
STL.stlOpensSaves

The 3D printing format. Binary and text files open, and it saves binary. Triangles only, no UVs or color.

3DGeoImportSTL3DGeoExportSTL
Mesh sequencesnumbered .ply .obj .stl .glb .spzOpensSaves

Record a moving mesh one file per frame, then play it back.

3DGeoSequenceWrite3DGeoSequenceRead
Splats and scans
SPZ.spzOpensSaves

Small splat files that load back fast.

3DGeoImportSPZ3DGeoExportSPZ
Splat.splatOpensSaves

The small format web viewers read. It keeps the base color and drops the color that changes with the view.

3DGeoImportSplat3DGeoExportSplat
SOG.sog or a folderOpensSaves

Very small splat files that web viewers open directly.

3DGeoImportSOG3DGeoExportSOG
ksplat.ksplatOpensDoes not save

Opens files saved at compression level 0.

3DGeoImportKsplat
COLMAPbinary or text solveOpensDoes not save

Camera positions, lens framing and the sparse point cloud from matching your photos.

3DGeoImportCOLMAP
Characters and motion
Rigged characters.glb .gltf .fbx .usd .vrmOpensSaves

Mesh, bone weights, skeleton, shapes and takes in one step. VRM avatars go to VTuber apps such as VRoid Hub and VSeeFace.

3DGeoRigCharacterImport3DGeoRigCharacterExport
BVH.bvhOpensSaves

Plain motion capture that every animation tool reads. Match a take onto a skeleton you already have.

3DGeoRigClipFromFile3DGeoRigClipExport
C3D.c3dOpensDoes not save

Labeled markers, analog channels and events from Vicon, Qualisys, OptiTrack and most gait labs.

3DGeoRigMarkersFromFile
Terrain and simulation
Heightmaps.png .tif .raw16 .exrOpensDoes not save

Bring a heightmap in, then erode it, paint it and scatter on it.

3DGeoHeightfieldFile
Unreal landscape16-bit PNG and layer masksDoes not openSaves

Height and weight masks in the layout Unreal's landscape importer expects.

3DGeoHeightfieldUnrealExport
Unity terrain.raw16 and splat PNGsDoes not openSaves

Unity's 16-bit terrain format, with splat maps and a small file that names the layers.

3DGeoHeightfieldUnityExport
Terrain tileschunked .obj or .fbxDoes not openSaves

A big landscape split into tiles, one file per chunk.

3DGeoHeightfieldMeshExport
Terrain mapsPNGDoes not openSaves

Normal, AO, slope, curvature and splat maps baked in one go, the set a game engine wants.

3DGeoHeightfieldTextureExport
OpenVDB.vdbDoes not openSaves

Bake fire and smoke to standard VDB frames that other 3D apps load.

3DGeoFluidCacheWrite
8 formats

Pictures

Stills, sequences, float images, layers, looks and color.

FormatOpensSavesWhat comes alongNodes
PNG, JPEG, WebP.png .jpg .jpeg .webpOpensSaves

Save one still, a numbered sequence, or one file that keeps updating for other apps to read.

InputImageFileOutputImageFile
TIFF and BMP.tif .tiff .bmpOpensSaves

Opens and saves both.

InputImageFileOutputImageFile
EXR and HDR.exr .hdrOpensSaves

Full float, for HDR skies and linear renders.

InputHDRImageFileOutputImageFile
Layered EXR.exrOpensSaves

Color, masks, depth and IDs in one file. PNG, TIFF and JPEG keep the main layer.

ImageLayerReadImageLayerWrite
GIF, QOI, TGA.gif .qoi .tgaOpensDoes not save

GIF and animated WebP open their first frame. Use a video file for motion.

InputImageFile
Image sequencesnumbered PNG, JPEG, TIFF, EXR, HDR, WebPOpensSaves

Play a folder of numbered pictures as a clip, with loop, ping-pong and scrubbing.

InputImageSequenceOutputImageFile
Color LUTs.cubeOpensSaves

Load a look from your grading tool, 1D or 3D, and save your own.

InputImageLutFileOutputLutFile
OpenColorIO.ocio .ociozOpensDoes not save

Change color space, apply a look or view through a display. The ACES config is built in.

ImageOpenColorIO
3 formats

Video

Play files in, record takes out.

FormatOpensSavesWhat comes alongNodes
MP4, MOV, MKV, WebM.mp4 .mov .mkv .webmOpensSaves

Picture and sound together. Record takes, and split long ones into segments.

InputVideoFileOutputVideoFile
AVI.aviOpensDoes not save

Opens and plays, picture and sound.

InputVideoFile
Codecs to record withH.264 H.265 VP9 ProRes MJPEG FFV1Does not openSaves

H.264 and H.265 can use your machine's hardware encoder. FFV1 in MKV is lossless. 10-bit for HDR.

OutputVideoFile
5 formats

Sound

Audio files and MIDI files.

FormatOpensSavesWhat comes alongNodes
WAV, FLAC, MP3, OGG.wav .flac .mp3 .oggOpensSaves

Play a file into the graph, or record to one with tags, pauses, length limits and file splitting.

InputAudioFileOutputAudioFile
AAC.aacOpensDoes not save

Opens and plays.

InputAudioFile
AIFF.aiffDoes not openSaves

Uncompressed, like WAV.

OutputAudioFile
MIDI files.midOpensSaves

Standard MIDI Files, format 0 and 1. Split by channel into one track each on the way out.

MidiFileLoadMidiFileSave
MIDI 2.0 streams.ump .midi2OpensDoes not save

Raw MIDI 2.0 packets, translated so they play like any other clip.

MidiFileLoad
2 formats

Vector and type

Drawings and fonts.

FormatOpensSavesWhat comes alongNodes
SVG.svgOpensSaves

Read an SVG file and keep drawing on it, or save your drawing out. A 3D mesh can flatten into a line drawing too.

FileReadSvgFromStringSvgToStringFileWriteGeometryToSvg
Fonts.ttf .otfOpensDoes not save

Set type in your own fonts, flat on a picture or extruded into 3D.

TextRenderToImage3DGeoTextExtrude
5 formats

Data

Tables, text, lighting plots and fixture profiles.

FormatOpensSavesWhat comes alongNodes
Tables.csv .json .csv.gz .csv.zstOpensSaves

Load a table or a set of channels, and write them back out. Compressed CSV unpacks on the way in.

TypedDataFileInTypedDataFileOutChannelDataFileInChannelDataFileOut
Text.txt and any text fileOpensSaves

Read a text file, or write and append to one, like a show log.

FileReadFileWrite
MVR.mvrOpensSaves

Lighting scenes with fixtures and their positions, for a console or a visualizer.

DmxMvrImportDmxMvrExport
Fixture profiles.gdtfOpensDoes not save

Point a fixture at a GDTF file. More than 1,500 profiles from GDTF and the Open Fixture Library come with the app.

DmxFixtureMap
Patch reports.csv or a page to printDoes not openSaves

A fixture list for the crew, as a spreadsheet or a clean page to print.

DmxPatchExport
Protocols

Talk over the wire.

Light, sound, video, time and data, over cables and networks. Most of them work both ways.

A cue list running a rig
A cue list running a rig

Lighting

4 entries
InOut

DMX

Drive fixtures through a USB DMX adapter, one universe per adapter, and read DMX coming in.

DmxSendInterfaceDmxReceiveInterface
InOut

Art-Net

Many universes over the network. Find devices, keep universes in step, and send triggers.

ArtNetSendInterfaceArtNetRecvInterfaceArtNetPollArtNetSync
In

PosiStageNet and FreeD

Performer tracking and camera tracking from the systems already in the room.

DmxPsnReceiveDmxFreeDReceiveDmxDisguiseTracking

MIDI

6 entries
InOut

MIDI

Notes, CC, NRPN, pitch bend, SysEx and MPE, to and from any MIDI device.

MidiCaptureInterfaceMidiSendInterfaceMidiPolyExpressionIn
In

MIDI 2.0

Reads MIDI 2.0 packets and plays them like any other MIDI. Ask a device what it can do over MIDI-CI.

MidiFileLoadMidiCiProbe
InOut

Network MIDI

RTP-MIDI (AppleMIDI) and ipMIDI carry MIDI between computers with no cable. Works with the network sessions in macOS Audio MIDI Setup.

MidiRtpSessionMidiIpMidi
InOutmacOS and Linux

Virtual MIDI ports

Open a port other apps on this computer can play into and listen to.

MidiVirtualPort
InOut

MIDI Show Control and MMC

Fire cues on consoles and playback systems, and drive transports.

MidiShowControlOutMidiShowControlInMidiMachineControlOutMidiMachineControlIn

Timecode

3 entries
InOut

MTC

Read and send MIDI Time Code for video decks and DAWs.

MidiTimecodeInMidiTimecodeOut
InOut

Art-Net timecode

Chase timecode from the lighting network, or be the clock everyone else chases.

ArtNetTimecodeReceiveArtNetTimecodeSend

Control, web and wire

6 entries
InOut

OSCQuery

Publish values so other apps can find and drive them, and browse what other apps offer.

OSCQueryExposeOSCQueryClient
Out

HTTP

Call a web API with GET, POST or another method. The graph keeps running while it waits for the reply.

HTTPRequestHTTPPost
InOut

WebSocket

Run a WebSocket server, or connect to one, and trade messages both ways.

WebSocketServerInterfaceWebSocketClientInterface
InOut

Serial

USB serial adapters and dev boards: read a sensor, send text, or ask a question and wait for the answer.

SerialSendInterfaceSerialReceiveInterfaceSerialRequest

Video and motion

6 entries
InOutInstall NDI Tools first

NDI

Send and receive video and sound over the network. Swap a source mid-show while the receivers stay connected.

StreamingNDIReceiveInterfaceStreamingNDISendInterfaceStreamingNDIRoute
Out

RTMP

Go live on YouTube, Twitch or Facebook Live, as H.264 video with AAC sound.

StreamingRtmpSend
InOut

RTSP

Pull an IP camera's picture in, or serve your output to VLC, a security DVR or a kiosk player.

StreamingRtspReceiveStreamingRtspSend
InOut

HLS

Play an HLS stream in, live or from the start, or write a rolling playlist that players can open.

StreamingHlsReceiveStreamingHlsSend
InOut

VMC

Take a performer from a motion tracking app, send your character to one, or drive a VR avatar's body trackers.

3DGeoRigMocapReceiveInterface3DGeoRigStreamSend
Hardware

Plug it in.

Cameras, controllers, consoles and switchers, on a cable or across the network.

A plain webcam reading an open hand
A plain webcam reading an open hand

Cameras and screens

3 entries
In

Webcams and capture cards

Built-in and USB webcams. Capture cards that show up as a webcam, such as Blackmagic UltraStudio, work the same way.

VideoCaptureInterface
In

Depth cameras

Orbbec Astra, Gemini and Femto through the Orbbec SDK, with color, depth and IR. RealSense-style cameras on Linux.

DepthCameraCaptureInterface
In

Screens and windows

Grab a whole monitor, one window or a region of the screen.

DisplayCaptureInterface

Controllers

5 entries

Controllers with a profile

Ready-made maps for these controllers, plus General MIDI for sound modules. Pick yours in Window > MIDI > Profile Library and every knob and fader maps in one press, with LED feedback where the controller has lights.

  • AbletonPush 2
  • AkaiAPC40
  • AkaiMPK249
  • BehringerFCB1010
  • BehringerX-Touch
  • KorgnanoKONTROL
  • KorgnanoKONTROL2
  • Native InstrumentsMaschine MK3
  • NovationLaunchpad
  • Sound modulesGeneral MIDI
InOut

MIDI keyboards and controllers

Plug in a keyboard, pads or a control surface, then move a knob to map it to anything in the graph.

MidiCaptureInterfaceMidiLearn
InOut

Ableton Push 2 and Push 3

Read the pads over USB and light them back in your own colors.

PushSurface
In

Gamepads

Sticks, triggers and buttons as live values, with a dead zone you set.

GamepadInput
In

Keyboard and mouse

Give any key its own trigger, and read where the mouse is and which buttons are down.

KeyboardInMouseInput

Show control

5 entries
Out

Lighting consoles

Fire cues from the graph over OSC. On an Eos or a grandMA3, set levels and type on the command line too.

  • ETCEosDmxEosOscClient
  • MA LightinggrandMA3DmxMa3OscClient
  • High End SystemsHog 4DmxHog4OscClient
InOut

DMX adapters and fixtures

USB adapters such as the Enttec DMX USB Pro and DMXking ultraDMX. More than 1,500 fixtures in the Profile Library, and room for your own.

DmxSendOperationDmxFixtureMap
InOut

Stream Deck

The original, Mini, XL, Plus and MK.2 over USB, with tally on the keys. Or run one through Bitfocus Companion. A MIDI controller's pads can stand in for one.

StreamingStreamDeckSurfaceStreamingMidiSurfaceDmxOscControl
Out

PTZ cameras

Pan, tilt and zoom over NDI, VISCA over IP or ONVIF, and presets over NDI or VISCA.

StreamingPtzControl

Sound, sensors and phones

3 entries
InOut

Microphones and sound cards

Record from a microphone or a sound card input, and play out to your speakers.

AudioCaptureInterfaceAudioPlaybackInterface
InOut

Sensors, dev boards and printers

Anything on a serial port: a sensor on a dev board, a lab balance, a receipt printer. The device list updates when you plug one in.

SerialDevicesSerialReceiveInterfaceSerialRequest
In

Phones and tablets

Serve a touch page from the graph that any phone can open, or drive the show from TouchOSC.

DmxRemoteEndpointOSCReceive
Other apps

Pass work back and forth.

Hand work to the other apps you use, and take theirs in.

An Ableton Live set, open in Kinematic
An Ableton Live set, open in Kinematic

Music and sound

2 entries
InOut

Ableton Live

Tempo, beat and bar into the graph. Fire clips and scenes, ride device knobs and follow the selection. Uses the free AbletonOSC script.

AbletonLiveLinkAbletonClipFireAbletonDeviceParameter
InOut

Audio plugins

Load your synths and effects, play them from MIDI and save presets. Run a plugin in its own process so a crash leaves the show running.

  • Every platformCLAP
  • Every platformVST3
  • Linux onlyLV2
PluginHost

3D and games

6 entries
Out

Unreal Engine and Unity

Send terrain in the layouts their importers expect, and save FBX and rigged characters with the axes set for each.

3DGeoHeightfieldUnrealExport3DGeoHeightfieldUnityExport3DGeoRigCharacterExport
InOut

Blender, Maya and Houdini

Trade scenes through FBX, USD, glTF and Alembic. Pick the app's axis preset and models come in standing up, at the right size.

3DGeoExportFBX3DGeoExportUSD3DGeoExportABC
Out

Omniverse and Apple devices

Scenes go out as USD text. Rigged characters and splat clouds also pack into one .usdz file.

3DGeoExportUSD3DGeoRigCharacterExport
InOut

VTuber and tracking apps

Take a performer from VSeeFace, Warudo, VNyan or SlimeVR over VMC, or send your character to them.

3DGeoRigMocapReceiveInterface3DGeoRigStreamSend
In

Face capture on a phone

Live Link Face, iFacialMocap, Facemotion3D, VTube Studio and MeowFace drive a character's face from a phone.

3DGeoRigMocapReceiveInterface

Video and shows

3 entries
InOut

OBS and Resolume

Trade video with them over NDI, or over Syphon on a Mac, and send OSC to Resolume.

StreamingNDISendInterfaceStreamingSyphonReceiveInterfaceOSCSend
In

QLab

Let QLab cues fire scenes, looks and lights over OSC on TCP.

OSCReceive

Everything else

3 entries
InOut

Grading tools

Bring looks in as .cube LUTs, save your own, and work inside an OpenColorIO config.

InputImageLutFileOutputLutFileImageOpenColorIO
InOut

Spreadsheets

Load a table from CSV, and hand the crew a patch list they can open anywhere.

TypedDataFileInDmxPatchExport
InOut

Your own code

Python inside the app, a command line for batch runs, and HTTP or WebSockets for everything else.

PythonScriptNodeHTTPRequestWebSocketServerInterface
Not yet

What it does not yet do.

Better to know now than at load-in. Something missing that you need? Reach out.

  • SpoutVideo sharing between apps on Windows is on the roadmap.
  • Ableton LinkLeft out on purpose because of its license. Share tempo between machines over OSC instead.
  • Kinect and ZEDThese depth cameras are not yet supported.
  • Reading VDBFire and smoke save to OpenVDB today. Opening VDB files is on the roadmap.
  • Compressed ksplatRe-save at compression level 0, or bring the scan in as .ply or .spz.
  • Sound from IP camerasRTSP cameras bring their picture in. Their sound is not decoded yet.

Download Kinematic.

Free. No account, no license key. macOS, Windows, Linux and Raspberry Pi.

Download Kinematic 0.5.0