Polygonal Design released 8th generation of its UV unwrapping software UNFOLD3D. The technology, as used by Autodesk in Softimage 2014, is now a native 64-bit code, and is more stable capable of handling bigger meshes. It also features several new tools, including Multi-UV Grid tools, smart selecting and UV mesh editing, and more! The software is compatible with Windows as well as Mac OS X systems, and costs 299 EUR (Freelance license), or 699 EUR (1 Seat Networking license); for upgrading information, visit this page. Demo versions are here. [source]

Thinkbox Software announced the release of Deadline 6.0, the latest version of the company's popular render farm management solution for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X-based render farms. Rebuilt from the ground up using Digia's Qt development framework and a MongoDB database, Deadline 6.0 facilitates identical performance, scalability, and flexibility across all platforms. Aside the new database backend and redesigned user interface, the new version adds graphic data representation, simplified user group management, slave log streaming, scripting improvements, flexible environment control, streamlined archiving system, and Amazon EC2 cloud support. [source]

Sitni Sati released FumeFX for Maya, company's fluid dynamics engine designed for simulation and rendering of realistic fire, smoke, explosion and other gaseous phenomena. FumeFX for 3ds Max has been production proven in feature films such as Oblivion, Hugo, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance,Thor, Red Tails, Priest, 2012, Skyline, Suckerpunch, Spiderman 3, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Superman Returns, Iron Man, The Host (Gwoemul) and various games cinematics such as Warhammer Online, Classic Transformers and Dante's Inferno while FumeFX for Maya has already been used on The Avengers, Oz the Great and Powerful and Thor. More here. [source]

Digital Tutors released a new Introduction to Maya 2014 tutorial for its subscribers. It contains over 10 hours of introductory training to get familiar with the latest release and learn about tools and techniques for modeling, texturing, rigging, animation, dynamics, lighting, rendering and more! [source]

E-on software announced the availability of Vue 11.5 xStream and Infinite, the latest production-driven version of its professional solutions for the creation, animation and rendering of natural 3D environments. Specifically designed for graphics professionals, Vue xStream and Vue Infinite combine a multitude of cutting edge features that easily integrate into existing production pipelines. Vue Infinite operates as a standalone application while Vue xStream works seamlessly inside 3ds Max, Maya, Softimage, LightWave and CINEMA 4D. Release 11.5 of Vue adds a number of new features including: EcoCollision, making EcoParticles collide with EcoSystem instances; Render Stack improvements merging render areas, reloading camera settings or setting stacks per scene; improved material management; a new Color Channel Editor available from the Post Render Options; and more. Vue 11.5 is available free of charge for all users under maintenance. Vue 11.5 xStream retails for $1,995 US (with one year maintenance), and upgrades from Vue 10 xStream are starting at $539. Vue 11 Infinite retails for $1,495 US (with one year maintenance), upgrades from version 10 are $459 US. [source]

Voice-O-Matic - a powerful, easy-to-use plug-in which automates the lip synchronization process directly in Autodesk Maya - has been updated to version 2.2, compatible with the newly released Maya 2014. Voice-O-Matic 2.x users on subscription can request the update by filling this form. Version 1.x users must upgrade to version 2.x by subscribing to the Premium+ support package or upgrade to Voice-O-Matic Pro v2 for $449 US. [source]

French developer Golaem announced the release of the Golaem Crowd Character Pack, a set of free ready-to-use characters and motions enabling faster crowd shots creation. It is available free of charge for all users of Golaem Crowd, a crowd animation solution for Autodesk Maya on Linux and Windows systems. The Golaem Crowd Characters Pack includes ready-to-use character with a hundred props, texture variations for each prop, and 14 motions. Golaem Crowd has also been updated to version 2.3 introducing the Geometry Behavior as well as the Character Maker, a revamped tool for converting and editing character skeletons or motions. [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]

Thinkinetic released Pulldownit 2.5, new version of its dynamics solver for Maya and 3ds Max, designed to create fractures in models as well as massive rigid body simulations. Version 2.5 adds several fixes, and new features alike, including new activation options for fracture bodies, new ability to set fragments as static/dynamic, force fields that can break fracture bodies, and more. [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]