Autodesk has posted sneak peek videos of possible new features coming to 3ds Max, Maya, and Softimage 2014.
These videos are a technology preview. Autodesk wishes to caution you that these previews reflect technology research, and that actual events or results could differ materially from the preview. Also, these previews are not intended to be a promise or guarantee of future delivery of products, services or features but merely reflect technology research, which may change. Purchasing decisions should not be made based upon reliance on this preview. Autodesk does not assume any obligation to update any statements we make to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date of this technology preview.
Post Production house Unity Image has posted a commercial that they did for Cartier along with a VFX breakdown video showing how they created some of the elements of the spot. They used Autodesk 3ds Max and Ornatrix for the fur.
Chaos Group is pleased to share an update to V-Ray for 3ds Max featuring several optimizations and new features.
With this service release V-Ray adds support for rendering hair created with HairFarm 2.0 and V-Ray Proxy support for Alembic .abc files. There are also several new features and optimizations within V-Ray RT such as support for instancing, support for Forest Pro instancing, and faster update in ActiveShade rendering with the CPU engine when adjusting VrayLights. V-Ray RT GPU now offers CUDA speed optimizations and optimizations for GK110 cards. Check out the full list of new features, improvements, and fixes in build 2.40.01.
This update is free for V-Ray 2.0 customers and can be downloaded from the Chaos Group website.
Real-time image based lighting for the market leading visualization solution. The new HDR Light Studio 4 Live connection for Autodesk 3ds Max with Chaos Group V-Ray launches today.
The new HDR Light Studio 4 Live connection for Autodesk 3ds Max with Chaos Group V-Ray launches today. Artists can now light their scenes with real-time feedback using V-Ray RT as the ActiveShade renderer and HDR Light Studio’s innovative interactive HDR canvas. Sophisticated lighting environments can be created in moments to perfectly light and reflect in your shot. It’s an amazing new approach to light V-Ray scenes, seeing the lighting interact with your materials in your final shot. Continue reading “HDR Light Studio adds Live Connection for 3ds Max and Vray”…
Autodesk MotionBuilder 2013 software service pack 2 (SP2) is now available.
SP2 includes several important fixes. For more information and the complete list of fixes included in this service pack, please refer to the Readme on the Autodesk MotionBuilder support page.
Note: You must have Autodesk MotionBuilder 2013 or 2013 SP1 installed in order to install this service pack.
You can download the update from the Autodesk MotionBuilder support page.
Colin Senner has released Teague Scene Checker (for V-Ray) a script that checks your scene for known error causing problems with V-Ray as well as informs you of some things that are happening in your scene. The script currently checks for the following things and informs you so you can optimize the scene.
After numerous scenes with outrageous render times Teague decided to invest in a simple, easy-to-use tool to eliminate problems for its artists.
#INFO (These are just useful information to know, not really problems, just want to be aware of some of them)
V-Ray fur object is in the scene
V-Ray material has “Use Interpolation” on (Problematic for animation
V-Ray light material has direct light on (can be problematic if there are a large number of faces on the object)
Irradiance Map/LC Not set
“Use Light Cache for glossy rays” is off
Dynamic memory limit set very low
VRayDisplacementMod is applied to objects
VRayCarPaintMtl in the scene
VRayFastSSS/2 materials in the scene
#WARN
Detects if you are using Linear Workflow and makes sure you have gamma 2.2 and “Don’t affect colors” (There are valid reasons to not have this ticked, but you already know that if you aren’t ticking it)
Detail Enhancement is on in the Irradiance Map
V-Ray material(s) with more than 32 subdivisions
V-Ray light with high subdivisions (>24) found
Architectural material found in the scene
Autodesk_Generic material found in the scene (I’ve have lots of problems with this one. They are created automatically when importing geometry from Rhino)
#CRITICAL (Usually show stopping errors for V-Ray, crashes and the like or heavily un-optimized things that can skyrocket render times)
Standard lights found without “VRayShadow” or “VRayShadowMap” for their shadow generator
V-Ray material with “Use Irradiance Map” off (This thing along is why this script was written. I absolutely hate this, it has cost me so many hours figuring it out)
Chaos Group has announced the open beta for V-Ray 1.6 for Sketchup. This massive upgrade to V-Ray for SketchUp includes a series of new feature introductions that enhance visualization workflow and render quality (V-Ray RT®, V-Ray Dome Light), and streamline scene complexity (V-Ray Proxy).
Release News: mocha v3.2 public beta Imagineer Systems is happy to be releasing a public beta version of mocha Pro and mocha AE v3.2. This new point release includes significant features and fixes for all users.
The Foundry and Luxology announced a free Modo 701 15 Day trial and a 30 Day production trial that is $25. I suggest you head over to the Luxology site and get started as soon as you can. Plus, if you haven’t already, take the 701 Feature Tour, now with new videos.
Krakatoa for Maya – An Introduction – Come learn about the renderer used to create content for movie hits like Avatar, The Avengers, Transformers 3, Harry Potter 8 and Oblivion, as well as the upcoming Star Trek – Into Darkness, Man of Steel, After Earth, and more!
MAXON, leading developer of professional 3D modeling, painting, animation and rendering solutions, today revealed the first step in its strategic alliance with Adobe Systems Incorporated, aimed at delivering a new level of integration between its powerful 3D application CINEMA 4D, and Adobe® After Effects®. The recently revealed next release of Adobe’s industry-leading software will include two MAXON technologies directly within the new Adobe After Effects: CINEWARE and CINEMA 4D Lite.
An open letter to Ang Lee from Compositor Phillip Broste regarding the state of the VFX industry and Mr. Lee’s lack of acknowledgement to the artists who created the VFX in “Life of Pi”. I definitely recommend the read.
Thinkbox Software today announced the release of Krakatoa MY, the high-volume particle renderer for Autodesk Maya 3D software running on Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems.
The Hollywood Reporter posted an article about Technicolor and Autodesk partnering in the development of a new color grading and compositing tool. Steve Scott, the pioneering colorist and head of Technicolor, is leading the charge on this new venture and believes that together they can create a single procedural finishing system that would offer tools from both disciplines – color grading and compositing.
The famous “Animators Survival Kit” written by Richard Williams is coming soon to the iPad. The price and exact date of release have not yet been determined, but the publisher, Faber and Faber, has indicated that it will be roughly timed with Williams’ 80th birthday next month.
Krakatoa for Maya – An Introduction – Come learn about the renderer used to create content for movie hits like Avatar, The Avengers, Transformers 3, Harry Potter 8 and Oblivion, as well as the upcoming Star Trek – Into Darkness, Man of Steel, After Earth, and more!
MODO 701 is coming soon. Be one of the first to discover what’s new and improved during our ‘MODO 701 Feature Tour’ webcast on March 25th at 10AM (PST). Sign up today.
Deep Compositing allows artists to work with ‘deep images’ containing multiple opacity or colour samples per pixel. This allows rendering of CGI elements without predetermined holdout mattes, avoiding the need for re-renders when content changes.
Want to go to Siggraph 2012 but don’t want to pay for it? We’ll let Motion Media help you out. We are giving you a free Exhibits only pass for this years event in Los Angeles. All you have to do is fill in the form below and a link and code will be sent directly to you.
PipelineFX is offering a one-day workshop geared toward artists and new users of Qube! at Siggraph 2012. This workshop focuses on submitting, managing and troubleshooting render jobs as well as best practices for maximum render throughput.
Release News: mocha v3.2 public beta Imagineer Systems is happy to be releasing a public beta version of mocha Pro and mocha AE v3.2. This new point release includes significant features and fixes for all users.
The SynthEyes 3-D tracking application completes a triple-header with the introduction of its Linux version by developer Andersson Technologies LLC, joining the existing Windows and Mac OS X versions.
Extension 2 for Autodesk® Maya® 2013 software is now available on the Autodesk Subscription Center. Extension 2 helps artists and studios with increased stability, usability, and performance.
Matrox is pleased to announce that Matrox MXO2 Dock is now available. The Matrox MXO2 Dock thunderbolt Accessory for Matrox MXO2 I/O Devices Delivers Convenience and Connectivity for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air Users
FREE 69 PAGE eBOOK! This step by step guide will walk you through the creative world of ZBrush from the basics to sculpting, painting and on to finishing off your art with ZBrush's powerful render engine.
