The GPU-based rendering tool V-Ray RT GPU by Chaos Group is now in public beta. The GPU version of the interactive rendering engine V-Ray RT for 3ds Max allows up to 30 times faster rendering times and real-time interaction with the virtual environment within the 3ds Max. After the beta period, the V-Ray RT GPU will become part of V-Ray 2.0 to deliver a complete and powerful rendering solution for the demanding requirements of every production pipeline. The public beta is open for all current users of V-Ray RT; if you are one of them, apply here. [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]

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]

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]

E-on software previewed key new technologies of its upcoming Vue 9 products for professionals: Vue 9 xStream and Vue 9 Infinite (scheduled for release Q4 2010), at this year's SIGGRAPH. E-on software also performed product demonstrations of Carbon Scatter (instancing plug-in for 3ds Max, CINEMA 4D, LightWave 3D, Maya, and Softimage; scheduled for release later this year; more information), as well as LumenRT, a new product dedicated to high fidelity real-time visualization of architectural projects. [source]

Side Effects Software released Houdini 11, new version of its line of professional 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software. From the new, fast FLIP fluids solver, to automatic fracturing of RBD objects, and a re-architected shader building workflow, artists will be able to work much more effectively with Houdini 11 (more on features). Houdini 11 is available immediately with Houdini Escape available for as low as $1,995 US and Houdini Master available for $6,695 US. The Free Apprentice Edition can be downloaded today from sidefx.com and Houdini Apprentice HD can be purchased for $99 US. Existing version 10 Apprentice HD customers can upgrade for $69 US. Side Effects is also launching a new Annual Subscription Plan which offers access to Houdini software, upgrades and support for a year at a time. With this program, Houdini Escape is available for $1,595 US and Houdini Master for $4,595 US. [source]

NewTek announced LightWave 10, the next generation of its Emmy award-winning professional 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software. LightWave 10 will offer a wealth of new features, including a photoreal real-time renderer, VPR (Viewport Preview Renderer) and advanced, real-time CG hardware viewport shading, delivering Anaglyph Stereo, Ambient Occlusion, Transparency, Refractions, and Bloom. LightWave 10 will also offer extensive, new immersive real-time virtual cinematography, game development tools, and more.. LightWave 10 will begin shipping in Q4 2010, but artists may gain access to preview builds of LightWave 10 immediately through NewTek SIGGRAPH special offers. When LightWave 10 ships, it will be available for a suggested retail price of $1,495 US, upgrades will be available for $695 US. [source]

Twenty years ago, Autodesk, Inc. revolutionized the computer graphics industry with the introduction of Autodesk 3ds Max software - then known as 3D Studio DOS - one of the first affordable 3D modeling, rendering and animation systems for the PC. Initially developed by the Yost Group for Autodesk, the first version shipped in October 1990, priced at a fraction of the cost of the dedicated workstations then required to create professional 3D animation. Learn more about how this award-winning software application has enabled the creation of celebrated movies, video games, television shows and commercials at area.autodesk.com/maxturns20. [source]