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.
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.
Autodesk® Softimage® 2013 software delivers powerful new creative toolsets, a new high-fidelity interactive environment, and extended customizability, helping artists and Technical Directors get more from the product.
Artists will enjoy greater creative freedom across the board: from the completely new CrowdFX simulation feature set; to a new high-quality viewport; to enhanced modeling, animation, physics, and selection tools. In addition, better interoperability with Autodesk® Maya® 2013 software and
Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2013 software; and extensions to the SDK (software development kit) help facilitate integration into existing pipelines.
Top Features and Benefits
CrowdFX
Artists can now create sophisticated crowd simulations in a dedicated environment within Softimage. Using the power of the ICE (Interactive Creative Environment) multi-threaded particle system, artists can create massively complex effects with huge numbers of characters that react intelligently to their environment and each other. CrowdFX simulations can be easily exported to Maya 2013 for integration into existing Maya scenes.
High-Quality Viewport
A new High-Quality Viewport enables artists to refine their content more efficiently, by reducing the need to frequently preview using a software renderer. With the ability to evaluate their work interactively in an environment that closely mimics the rendered output, artists can make better creative decisions in less time.
Rigging and Animation Improvements
A large number of enhancements to the animation and rigging toolset help improve overall productivity for everyday animation workflows. The Animation Mixer, GATOR, the Dopesheet, the f- curve Editor, the Synoptic Editor, and Primitive Bones have all received attention. Among the list of enhancements are: the ability to easily retime f-curves with a new manipulator; support for Python™ scripting language in the Synoptic Editor; an option to add non-normalized weights when painting; the ability to include Animation Layers when creating clips; and a visual cue when Autokey is turned on.
New Modeling Tools
A number of new tools extend the renowned Softimage polygon modeling toolset. Built on the ICE Modeling framework introduced in Softimage 2012, the additions offer new options for thickness, hole capping, edge cutting, and extrusion. In addition, the interactive toolset gains an intuitive new Add Smooth Edge Loop tool, built on the new Softimage 2012 Tool SDK; with this tool, the contoured shape of the object is maintained when adding edge loops, meaning no extra work is required to make the mesh smooth or to keep the object’s continuity.
Chaos Group announces V-Ray for Softimage, the newest addition to its suite of innovative rendering solutions.
Built on V-Ray’s core platform of rendering speed, stability, and quality, V-Ray® for Autodesk® Softimage® is an advanced rendering solution for the VFX and animation industries. V-Ray for Softimage includes ICE support, efficient Global Illumination, versatile shaders, and much more.
Cyber Monday (Nov. 28, 2011) Motion Media is having a “Name Your Own Price” campaign for Autodesk 3ds Max, Maya, Softimage & MotionBuilder as well as Nuke, NukeX & Ocula from The Foundry. You don’t want to miss this amazing opportunity to get these tools at an unheard of low price.
To name your price and see what happens, click on one of the links below: (only Valid on Nov. 28, 2011)
Check out this really cool piece that Element X Creative did for the AICP (Association of Independent Commercial Producers). They used Softimage, After Effects, Syntheyes and more to create this beautifully done intro video. Check it out below.
Chaos Group has announced the Public Beta for V-Ray for Softimage. V-Ray for Softimage is the newest addition to the Chaos Group portfolio of rendering solutions and is planned to be launched the end of this year.
Currently, they are running a Beta Program, aimed at animators, CG design practitioners, game developers and others who will get the chance to be the first to test the software and provide valuable feedback and suggestions for new features to the Chaos Group Development Team.
If you’re interested in signing up, click on the link below and get started.
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.
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.
