Autodesk announced Extension 1 for its professional video editing software for the Mac, Smoke 2013. It is expected to be available beginning May 29, 2013, and will feature numerous enhancements to help improve functionality, add flexibility as well as increase speed. The Smoke 2013 Extension 1 release will introduce support for Blackmagic video IO devices, including DeckLink (PCIe video boards), UltraStudio (Thunderbolt boxes) and the Intensity product lines. The Extension 1 will also add new Trim View and new dynamic trimming tools for faster editing; support for SonyRAW footage from Sony F5 and F55 cameras; improved performance in MediaHub when navigating large data sets; or better 3D compositing performance in Action when working with 3D objects, shaders and textures. Autodesk Smoke 2013 Extension 1 will be available to Autodesk Subscription customers. New customers can purchase a standalone Smoke license for $3,495 US with an additional $675 US for Subscription. [source]

Autodesk has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Tinkercad, an easy-to-use browser-based 3D design tool. The addition of Tinkercad to Autodesk will help broaden the popular Autodesk 123D family of apps and supports Autodesk's vision to help anybody imagine, design and create anything. The acquisition will also revive the Tinkercad service and community, despite a previously announced shutdown by its founders and creators. [source]

A series of new Autodesk 123D memberships and premium bundles became available for the first time, as Autodesk and MakerBot have partnered to market 3D design software and 3D printing hardware, making 3D printing at home more accessible to everyone. Autodesk and MakerBot previously announced that the companies would jointly market a combination of 3D design software and 3D printing hardware to engineers, designers, architects, makers, creators and artists. A new 123D Premium bundle that includes the MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D printer and a new 3D Print Utility accessible from the 123D apps is the result of that partnership, and optimizes the design-to-print process for the 123D community. Users can choose from three different membership options including a free membership, a premium membership and a premium bundle. The new Autodesk 3D Print Utility is available today within the Autodesk 123D Catch, 123D Design and 123D Make Windows desktop apps, as well as from models posted to the 123D website Gallery. With the 3D Print Utility, users have the option to optimize their model to help reduce material use and print time, before printing. [source]

Autodesk Labs extended the preview period for its Sci-Viz tool designed to enable Max users run scientific visualization tools such as ePMV and autoPack from within the 3ds Max (more). The preview period has been extended till November 1, 2013. [source]

Autodesk shipped new 2014 versions of its 3D animation software. New versions of Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, Softimage, MotionBuilder, and Mudbox are available either stand-alone or as part of the Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite 2014 editions, Standard ($5,775 US), Premium ($6,825 US) or Ultimate ($8,395 US). For information on new features, read our previous posts on 3ds Max 2014, Maya 2014, Softimage 2014, Mudbox 2014, and MotionBuilder 2014. [source]

GenArts released Sapphire 7, new version of its set of visual effects plug-ins for Autodesk, Avid, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, Nuke, OpenFX, and Sony Vegas Pro platforms. This new release provides users with greater control, increased speed, and an expanding arsenal of effects; empowering users to create higher quality effects in less time. Key innovations in Sapphire 7 include new and enhanced effects; CUDA GPU support for more plug-ins and optimized GPU code to provide overall speed increase; more presets; preset sharing across host platforms; and real time rendering in Avid version. The prices start at $1,699 US, a demo version is also available. [source]

Blackmagic Design and Autodesk announced that the two companies intend to collaborate on future integrations between Blackmagic Design technology and Autodesk technology. This collaboration will build seamless workflows for customers in the professional video, television and commercial post-production industries. The ongoing work between Blackmagic Design and Autodesk will include the testing and development of integrated workflows between Autodesk technology and Blackmagic Design's PCIe and Thunderbolt based desktop video capture and playback products, including the DeckLink, UltraStudio and Intensity product lines. [source]

Autodesk announced 2014 versions of its "Media & Entertainment" software, including 3ds Max, Softimage, Maya, Mudbox, MotionBuilder, Sketchbook Designer, and Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suites. With three configurations, the Suites scale to meet the demands of any sized team, budget or project. The Standard edition includes industry-recognized 3D software and offers a choice of either Autodesk Maya 2014 or Autodesk 3ds Max 2014 with Autodesk MotionBuilder 2014, Autodesk Mudbox 2014 and Autodesk Sketchbook Designer 2014. The Premium edition offers all the software of the Standard Suite, but with the addition of Autodesk Softimage 2014 3D animation and visual effects software. With the Ultimate Suite, customers have access to the value of the Premium edition, with the added benefit of including both Maya 2014 and 3ds Max 2014 (compare editions; included software). License purchasing options are available at autodesk.com. For the full product details, visit the Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite product page. [source]

With Autodesk MotionBuilder 2014, studios can more efficiently manipulate and refine motion capture and other character animation data for use in onset visualization, previsualization, virtual cinematography, feature film production and game development. Linux operating system support is now available, as well as new motion capture workflow options; artist-friendly methods for positioning, measuring and selecting objects; the ability to use custom viewport renderers; and an API (Application Programming Interface) for file referencing. Read more on new features on Autodesk's web site. [source]

The latest update to Autodesk's 3D sculpting, modeling, and painting package Mudbox offers single-click automatic and manual options to manipulate meshes or to precisely control various aspects of the output mesh with a user-directed solution. Artists can now concentrate purely on aesthetic considerations as they sculpt, without altering the underlying structure. Enhanced multi-touch workflows now include support for stencils and additional touch-enabled input devices. [source]