Prime Focus Software Krakatoa 1.6
[permalink] 02.09.2010

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]

software.primefocusworld.com

MAXON CINEMA 4D Release 12 unveiled
[permalink] 02.09.2010

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).
[source]

www.maxon.net

RE:Vision Effects RSMB v4 for OpenFX hosts
[permalink] 01.09.2010

RE:Vision Effects shipped a new version of their ReelSmart Motion Blur OpenFX plug-in for Nuke, Maya/3ds Max Composite, and Scratch. ReelSmart Motion Blur (RSMB) automatically adds more natural-looking motion blur to a sequence using proprietary tracking technology. Also included is a plug-in that allows you to blur with user-supplied motion vectors. New version adds 64-bit support on Mac OS X, as well as significant speed improvements. The plug-in requires a supported host application running on Mac OS 10.4 and up, Windows XP and up, and Linux operating systems (32- and 64-bit versions), and is priced at $189.95 US for a node-locked license, or $284.93 US for floating licenses (upgrade pricing). New version is available here. [source]

www.revisionfx.com/company/press_releases/20100831/

Propellerhead's Record 1.5 and Reason 5 now available
[permalink] 30.08.2010

Propellerhead Software released for sale worldwide the biggest overhaul to its Record - Reason music creation application family to date. These highly anticipated upgrades introduce new instruments, effects, sequencing, sounds, patches and more for composing, beatmaking, loop-mangling, vocal treatment, songwriting, remixing and music production. For more information on new features, watch the following video demos: Introducing Kong Drum Designer (Reason); Dr. REX octuples into Dr. Octo Rex Loop Player (Reason); New Neptune Pitch Adjuster and Voice Synth Device (Record); Block based pattern sequencing mode (Reason, Record); Expanded Factory Sound Bank with Signature patches (Reason); Live sampling (Reason)... All full versions and upgrades are available now (Propellerhead's online store), full versions of Reason are 305 EUR / $349 US; Record costs 279 EUR / $299 US, bundle of both is 405 EUR / $449 US. Record 1.5 Upgrade is offered free of charge, while Reason 5 Upgrade from any version is priced at 99 EUR / $129 US. Record for Reason Owners Sidegrade (includes Reason 5 upgrade) costs 149 EUR / $169 US. Updates and demo version are available here. [source]

www.propellerheads.se

Color Finesse 3.0 compatible with CS5 and FxPlug
[permalink] 24.08.2010

Synthetic Aperture released Color Finesse 3.0, a new version of their color correction plug-in for Adobe After Effects and Apple Final Cut Pro. Version 3.0 adds a 64-bit plug-in to support Adobe's CS5 64-bit applications, in addition to the 32-bit version, and a a native FxPlug-style plug-in to support Apple Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Express, and Motion (more on new features). Color Finesse 3.0 is compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 (Intel and PowerPC), and Windows XP / Vista (32- and 64-bit) / Windows 7 (32-, 64-bit) running Adobe After Effects 7.0 and CS3 through CS5, Premiere Pro CS3 - CS5, Final Cut Pro 6 and 7, and Motion 4.0 host applications. The plug-in is priced at $575 US, upgrades from prior versions of Color Finesse are $149 US. A trial version can be downloaded here. [source]

www.synthetic-ap.com

Houdini 11 released
[permalink] 29.07.2010

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]

www.sidefx.com

CityEngine 2010 now also for freelancers and students
[permalink] 30.06.2010
Swiss developer Procedural Inc. introduced CityEngine 2010, the latest version of its city creation software based on procedural algorithms. Among the main novelties are interactive editing of dynamic city layouts, node-based rule authoring, and a sketching tool for facades. Furthermore, Procedural Inc. introduces new attractive licensing models for freelancers and students: CityEngine INDIE for $495 US and CityEngine STUDENT for $149 US. A complete list of new features and pricing can be found on procedural.com, along with a 30-day trial version (requires registration).
[source]
www.procedural.com

eyeon Software ships Fusion 6.1!
[permalink] 29.06.2010

Eyeon Software released the latest version of Fusion, company's high-end compositing software for Linux and Windows. Fusion 6.1's extensive supercomputing approach utilizes the powerful, low-cost GPU to create assets and layers in real-time, including scene import from 3D animation packages, and support for technologies such as RenderMan and RED Camera MYSTERIUM X. OpenCL supercomputing is a fresh and innovative use of today's massively parallel GPUs. By speeding up computationally intensive operations such as Defocus, Fusion 6.1 allows the artist to instantly visualize sophisticated mathematical operations that compile code on-the-fly for use by the new generation graphics cards. Fusion 6.1 also offers particle system and geometry enhancements, incl. particle caching; relighting enhancements; stereo camera import; FBX multi level materials support from all major 3D applications; Film Grain tool ; Hue Curves and Colour Suppression tool; and more. To see Fusion 6.1 in action, visit this link. If you have a subscription license, download the upgrade here. [source]

www.eyeonline.com

Shaderlight for 3ds Max reaches v1.3
[permalink] 23.06.2010

Following the launch of Shaderlight for 3ds Max in December 2009, rendering solutions provider ArtVPS are pleased to announce the latest release of their interactive rendering software. Shaderlight is a physically based, progressive ray-tracer that enables interactive changes to be made to an image at any stage within the rendering process. Materials, environments, lighting and textures can all be updated and the results seen in real-time without any compromise on image quality or having to restart the rendering. The improved performance (up to 50%) of this latest release will enable users to render much larger images as well as experience greater interactivity when making MELT changes. To make this release of Shaderlight accessible to even more 3ds Max users, ArtVPS are offering the software at a revised price of just $450 US. Users can also try the software free of charge for 30 days. [source]

www.artvps.com

Boris Continuum Units updated for Adobe CS5
[permalink] 18.06.2010

The legend in the field of visual effects software for video and film, Boris FX, announced that the Boris Continuum Unit family of plug-ins has been updated for Adobe CS5 and 64-bit operating systems (but remain to be compatible with Adobe CS4 and Adobe CS3). Boris Continuum Units for Adobe CS5 include Cartoon Look; Chroma Key; Film Process; Glitters; Image Restoration; Lens Flare; Pan and Zoom; UpRez; or other units and are available starting at an MSRP of $99 USD. Existing Boris Continuum Unit users can download free Adobe CS5 updates from the Boris FX. Free, fully functioning 14-day trial versions are also available. [source]

www.borisfx.com