Source: Epic Games

Epic Games (CEO Tim Sweeney) has released 'Twinmotion 2026.1,' featuring new capabilities and improvements for creators across various industries.

Twinmotion 2026.1 offers comprehensive upgrades, ranging from seamless 3D model and real-world image compositing and realistic camera emulation to enhanced environmental effects and improved user convenience.

Powered by Unreal Engine 5, Twinmotion is a real-time 3D graphics engine that supports rapid photorealistic scene creation for architecture, film & TV, automotive, and product design. With its intuitive UI and powerful library, it is accessible to both professionals and beginners.

Following the addition of Unreal Engine 5's groundbreaking Nanite virtualized geometry system in last year's 2025.2 version, the latest 2026.1 release introduces a variety of features for more sophisticated expression. These include photo matching, automatic edge softening, lighting channels, new camera and lens effects, enhanced particle VFX, a European tree pack, and permanent file storage locations, providing an upgraded experience for creators in all fields.

Enhanced Expressiveness

'Photo Matching' uses a new Match Perspective tool to align 3D models with 2D images. By setting vanishing points at desired locations, Twinmotion automatically adjusts the camera position and focal length. Additionally, shadows can be projected onto the ground calculated from 3D objects, creating more realistic scenes.

'Automatic Edge Softening' allows for more natural rendering of CG object edges that might otherwise appear too sharp. Users can easily apply this effect to selected objects to automatically soften sharp corners to a specified radius; this feature is available in Standard, Lumen, and Path Tracer modes.

Support for 'Lighting Channels' allows for precise control over which elements in a scene are affected by specific lights. By adjusting only the objects and lights assigned to the same channel, users can fine-tune lighting for specific needs—for example, ensuring background lighting does not affect a product in a commercial or fashion shoot.

Camera and Lens Features

'Auto Focus' mimics the human eye by automatically adjusting focus based on object distance. Using the 'Depth of Field' effect, users can set the focus to lock onto the center of the screen, allowing the camera to naturally track a specific point. The time taken to focus, as well as the frequency and precision of focus adjustments, can be configured individually.

Two new lens bokeh effects that influence blur characteristics have also been added. Users can now replicate real-world lens effects, such as anamorphic oval bokeh (which stretches in out-of-focus areas) and swirling Petzval bokeh. Additionally, a 'Barrel Distortion' slider has been added to simulate the subtle curvature of straight lines at the edges of a frame, typical of wide-angle lenses.

Vivid Scene Creation and Asset Expansion

The particle VFX system, which handles fire, smoke, fog, and water, has been completely overhauled to improve both performance and visual quality. Various new effects have been added, and users can customize them by adjusting parameters.

Furthermore, 10 realistic European tree assets have been added to the Twinmotion library. Each asset comes with multiple variations, allowing for richer environmental compositions.

The particle VFX system, responsible for rendering fire, fog, smoke, and water, has been fully revamped for better performance and visual fidelity. New effects have been added, and users can customize them to their desired range by adjusting parameters.

The Twinmotion library has been expanded with 10 new realistic European tree species. Each tree is provided in three variations, enabling the creation of more lush and diverse forest environments.

User-Centric Workflow Improvements

The file storage structure has been improved to ensure assets remain accessible across different versions of Twinmotion. Previously, assets had to be copied, moved, or re-downloaded to be used in new versions. Starting with this release, all asset libraries—including user libraries and user-generated content—are managed in a permanent folder structure, replacing the previous version-specific folders. This enables a more efficient workflow without the need for repetitive downloads or file transfers.

In addition to these, this version includes a wide range of other updates. Detailed information can be found in the release notes.

Existing users can download the new Twinmotion 2026.1 via the Epic Games Launcher, while subscription plan users can access it through the Dev Portal. Those new to Twinmotion can check the licensing options and apply for a free trial.