Get your hands on the latest release of MODO, Luxology's modeling, animation, and rendering software for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux systems (Linux version is currently in beta). The new version - including new procedural particle engine, audio playback and a sound channel modifier, schematic improvements, dedicated dynamics simulation layer, large scene performance improvements, unlimited network rendering, and more - can now be test driven by downloading a free 15-day trial version. [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]

Red Giant Software's audio and video syncing application PluralEyes 3 still awaits its Windows version release, but the release date is behind the corner, assure Red Giants on their blog: "We want you to know that it is absolutely in development, and coming soon. We have a beta team using it. We used it ourselves in the making of our new film, Spy Vs. Guy (see the Behind the Scenes here). Even though it's in beta, it does a pretty good job of syncing." There you have it. [source]

T he popular Open Source 3D application Blender has been released in version 2.67 RC. This update adds sub-surface scattering rendering in Cycles, much more accurate motion tracker, new NPR renderer FreeStyle, 3D printing tools, and more. Download the new binaries for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux here. [source]

Adobe Labs published a beta version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5, next generation of Adobe's photo manipulation and management application for Windows and Mac OS X. The new Lightroom features an enhanced Spot Removal tool; the ability to apply local adjustment attributes to a circular mask; tools designed to automatically level horizons, straighten buildings, and correct other askew lines; as well as Smart Preview functionality (more). Download the beta here (requires Adobe ID). [source]

Thinkbox Software unveiled Stoke MX, an easy to use particle simulator for 3ds Max designed to simplify and accelerate the creation of high volume particle clouds driven by Velocity Fields. It can be used to create millions of particles using 3ds Max Space Warps, FumeFX and Ember simulations, or velocities of other particles including Particle Flow, Thinking Particles, Krakatoa PRT Loaders, and even the 3ds Max legacy particle systems. Stoke can mix and animate the influences of any number of velocity sources, and can produce realistic fluid motion in dense particle clouds using just a few source particles. To join the Stoke MX Beta, send an e-mail Thinkbox Software. [source]

Autodesk Labs presented Project Pinocchio, leveraging Autodesk's powerful 3D design and animation tools to provide users with a web-based laboratory for the creation of fully-rigged custom 3D characters. Using a web browser and Project Pinocchio, users can create, customize, and download rigged 3D characters from a catalog of over 100 body types, outfits, hairstyles, and physical attributes in a few simple steps. Once they create a character, users can use it in a variety of Autodesk modeling tools to create imagery and movies. This technology preview is available until September 30, 2013 after which the web portal may come down. [source]

Adobe announced the first public preview of Adobe Edge Reflow, a new responsive design tool for web designers and developers creating websites and content for screens of virtually all sizes. In addition, the company released new feature updates for Adobe Edge Animate (new CSS-based features, including gradients, CSS filters, and enhanced font support), Adobe Dreamweaver (improves interoperability with the Adobe Edge Tools & Services family and includes several new features to enhance code authoring ability and workflow) and Adobe Edge Code preview (includes features such as Live Development, which allows users to see changes in the browser immediately as they make code edits, and also Quick Edit, which lets users edit code in context instead of switching between files). All today's announced product releases are available exclusively to Adobe Creative Cloud members. [source]

Project Geppetto, Autodesk's research project that explored crowd animation within 3ds Max, reached beta stage. Project Geppetto is a data-driven animation system that offers high level control of plausible human animation. Architects, engineers, and designers could use Project Geppetto to enrich the context of their presentations with realistic human activity. The technology preview was available until January 15, 2013. Users who wish to continue with the latest technology should consider joining the beta program. [source]

Adobe Labs published new betas of the Adobe Flash Player runtime and AIR 3.6. New Flash Player adds graphics data query (developers will be able to read the structure of the display object and read vector data at runtime) and full screen permission dialog UI improvements (changed the location of the the permission dialog to the middle of the screen). This release also provides a preview of the Stage3D extended profile for testing and feedback. Both Mac OS X and Windows versions can be downloaded here. [source]