Upgrades of 3D software applications Maya and Modo have been released for Mac OS X, WIndows and Linux.

Upgrades to 3D graphics software tools Maya and Modo

3D designers get two upgrades choices as Alias and Luxology update their software for all platforms.

The first update to 3D digital image creation, 3D animation and visual effects tool Maya since Autodesk took over its previous developer, Alias, is released this month for Mac OS X, Windows and Linux.

Maya 8 will contain a number of new features and enhancements, including 64-bit support (for Windows and Linux users only), scalable multithreading to target multiprocessor systems, the ability to override viewports with a user-defined renderer, an optimized mental ray 3.5 core to enhance rendering performance and memory usage, Polygon Bridge and Transfer Polygon Attributes, support for high dynamic range (HDR) and floating-point images, support for interactive viewing of native and custom mental ray shaders.

There are also a number of plug-in enhancements to provide tighter integration, data exchanges and export functions between Maya and other Autodesk software applications, such as 3D Studio Max (3DS Max) – which is popular for 3D animation, modeling and rendering for games, film, television and design visualization. As well as MotionBuilder the 3D character animation package.

Maya comes in three editions, Personal Learning Edition, which is free for non-commercial use; Autodesk Maya Complete, which is the full commercial version; and Autodesk Maya Unlimited, which is the same as Maya Complete, plus a number of add-ons and special effects tools. More information from the Autodesk web site.

Modo 202 is the latest release of a less known, but still capable, 3D modeling, painting and rendering software package from Luxology. Claiming a peak rendering speed over 40 percent faster than its predecessor, Modo 202 also boasts tool improvements and extensions, as well as an enhanced workflow for artists working in game development, film visual effects, video production, graphic arts and design visualization

Modo is available for Windows and Mac OS X (as both PowerPC and for Intel as a universal binary). Modo 202 is available as a free upgrade to current users of Modo 201. The full price is US$895.

6 August 2006

Other 3D design, multimedia and animation resources

• Apple cuts the price of Shake.
• Disney buys Pixar
• 3D software reviews, including Lightwave 3D, Cinema 4D, 3D Studio Max and Strata 3D CX, Maya, SoftImage and FormZ.
• Media 100 upgrade.
• Core 2 processors

Multimedia forum discussions

• Video editing software
• Learning Adobe After Effects
• Mac Mini & video editing
• Computer hardware for 3D design
• Flash versus Director
• Studying multimedia
• Multimedia concepts
• Level Design
• Learning 3D animation
• Re-learning multimedia