Google released version 8 of its 3D modeling software SketchUp for Mac OS X and Windows. Google SketchUp 8 comes with built-in Google Maps for adding geo-locations to models; accurate 3D terrain data for added geo-locations; enhanced Match Photo functionality for tracing photographs to build a model; DWG/DXF 2010 support (Pro version only); and more. Google SketchUp is free, SketchUp Pro adds several professional features for $495 US / 430 EUR per license. Upgrades to SketchUp Pro 8 are 83 EUR. [source]

Prime Focus Software, the R&D arm of Prime Focus, announces the release of Krakatoa 1.6, the company's production-proven volumetric particle rendering, manipulation and management toolkit for 3ds Max that creates believable natural phenomena like dust, smoke, silt, ocean surface foam, plasma and even solid objects. Version 1.6 features improved performance; a dedicated Shadow Generator, compatible with other 3ds Max renderers; advanced FumeFX conversion to particles workflow and support for FumeFX 2.0 and Thinking Particles 4; support for dedicated render elements that utilize the 3ds Max Render Elements management system; and more. The price of one standard bundle of Krakatoa including one workstation and two render nodes is listed at $995 US plus $248.75 US for the first year of support and upgrades. An evaluation version can be downloaded from this location. [source]

MAXON Computer, German developer of professional 3D software, announced the immediate availability of CINEMA 4D Release 12, the next generation of its highly-acclaimed professional 3D application for Windows and Mac OS X systems. Release 12 boasts dozens of new productivity enhancing features including improved rendering with Linear Workflow, Color Profiles and IES Lights, enhanced rigid body dynamics based on the Bullet engine, new deformers for modifying objects based on a low-poly cage or within the screen space, and superior character animation capabilities including a powerful, integrated pose-mixing and morphing system (CINEMA 4D Studio only).

The CINEMA 4D Release 12 product line includes new editions, as well as an upgrade to BodyPaint 3D, MAXON's painting and texture application, as follows: CINEMA 4D Prime (core professional 3D graphics package), CINEMA 4D Broadcast (now includes features of the previous MoGraph module, GI rendering and an extensive library of objects, materials and presets), CINEMA 4D Visualize (includes all features of the previous Architecture and Engineering Editions - Advanced Render, Sketch and Toon and NET Render 3 modules plus extensive object and material libraries), CINEMA 4D Studio (the most comprehensive CINEMA 4D edition includes all available features), BodyPaint 3D Release 12 (3D Painting, Texturing and UV Editing). A Product Comparison Chart is available on the MAXON web site. MAXON will no longer be offering individual modules for purchase. Demo versions are available here (requires registration).
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NewTek published a series of videos from official SIGGRAPH demonstrations of its upcoming LightWave 10 3D modeling, animation and rendering software (more). The videos, showing rigging tools, virtual cinematography, shaders, and other features, are available for your viewing pleasure at this location. [source]

Canadian cartoon animation software developer Toon Boom Animation Inc. announced the upcoming release of Toon Boom Studio 6, an updated version of its Mac OS- and Windows-based animation system for students and hobbyists. Version 6 features a complete bone rigging animation capabilities, including Skeleton Effect Layer in the timeline; Bone Level for segmenting and animating the character; easy settings for rotation, length and position of the bones; practical manipulation of the bones in the timeline; real-time preview of Bone Effect; SWF export of Bone effect (Vector shapes only); and more. Toon Boom Animation is offering a special pre-launch price of $299.99 US, instead of $329.99, valid until September 1, 2010. Upgrades from version 4.5 and 5 to version 6 can be purchased at $79.99 US, instead of $99.99 US. [source]

DeviantART.com, with plug-in support from Wacom , introduced a Web-based drawing tool for artists, featuring pen pressure sensitivity, layer capabilities and multiple brush options. The drawing tool, named deviantART Muro, is developed in HTML5 and offers Wacom pen tablet and interactive pen display users a natural and intuitive way to draw, paint and express their creativity within the deviantART community. [source]

Pixologic, Inc. released the long-awaited fourth version of ZBrush, company's flagship digital sculpting and painting software for Windows and Mac OS X systems. For more information on features, read our previous announcements. All current ZBrush license holders are entitled to a free upgrade to ZBrush 4.0, regardless of when they purchased ZBrush. In addition to the usual backup CD option, Pixologic is also offering a limited 10th Anniversary Special Edition package of ZBrush 4.0 and - for a limited period (till 9th Sept., 2010) - Pixologic is offering ZBrush 4.0 downloadable licenses with optional Special Edition packaging at the existing purchase price of $595 US per license. After that date, regular pricing incl. Special Edition packaging will be $699 US per license. [source]

Bulgarian developer Chaos Software, maker of the V-Ray render, released a new fluid dynamics plug-in for 3ds Max - Phoenix Fluid Dynamics. The software combines a grid-based simulator with powerful rendering capabilities and is able to simulate a whole array of physical processes like pressure decay, thermal radiation cooling and mass-temperature dependence. The product comes with fast, physically based simulation core; background simulation capability; fluid source form pre-simulated surface or particle-based sources; GPU accelerated preview; texture driven simulations; displacement; rendering of textures and more. Phoenix FD is in a promotional period until 10th of September 2010 with a reduced price of 350 EUR / $445 US / 295 GBP. The official product price will be 695 EUR / $895 US / 575 GBP, ex. VAT. [source]

Toon Boom Animation Inc. announced the upcoming release of Toon Boom Storyboard Pro 2, an essential Windows- and Mac OS X-based storyboarding tool for storyboard artists, directors, producers, game designers and communication specialists. Version 2 adds new content creation tools (including fast creation and reuse of brushes with specific settings; extended rich text support for captions; or sketch captions on a panel-by-panel basis), extended I/O capabilities (Final Draft 8 support; improved PDF and Final Cut Pro support), enhanced storyboarding and animatic capabilities (naming convention improvements; optimized playback; real-time transitions...), and various user interface improvements (full scene anti-aliasing support; layer transparency; Save As and Auto-Save commands) and more. For pricing, visit Toon Boom's on-line store. [source]

Prime Focus Software, the R&D arm of Prime Focus studio, announced the release of Deadline 4.1, the latest version of its easy-to-use administration and rendering toolkit for Windows, Linux and Mac OSX-based render farms. This release features several new features and performance enhancements, including speed improvements; enhanced interface; simplified power management configuration, as well as new software support (After Effects CS5, Arnold Standalone, LightWave 3D 10, RVIO, and RealFlow 5). Deadline Software is available for a list price starting at $140 US per render node for the first 25 licenses, prices drop per unit with increased volume. Prime Focus Software also released Deadline Mobile, a free download from the App Store on iPhone or at iTunes Store. Deadline Mobile is compatible with Deadline 4.1 and lets users remotely monitor Deadline jobs from anywhere. [source]