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]

Epic Games and Mozilla have continued a close collaboration first revealed during last month's Game Developers Conference to release the Epic Citadel demo on the Web running in HTML5. No plug-ins or added components are needed to experience the free app. Epic Citadel is built using standards-based technologies like HTML5, WebGL and JavaScript, and should work in any standards-based browser implementing those features. For optimal performance, Epic recommends loading it using Firefox Nightly version 23 or above, which includes optimizations for asm.js, a highly-optimizable subset of JavaScript pioneered by Mozilla, whose performance can rival native code. [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]

Epic Games revealed its brand new Unreal Engine 4 "Infiltrator" real-time demonstration, which highlights the latest technology for next-gen game development. At the Game Developers Conference, Epic has been showing Unreal Engine 4's latest tools and high-end rendering features, such as physically based materials and lighting, full scene HDR reflections, advanced GPU particle simulation and much more. [source]

The Foundry released an updated version of MARI, its 3D texturing and painting application for Windows and Linux systems. Version 2.0 adds a new state of the art layer system: every channel is now a full, non-destructive, layer stack, and shaders use layered channels to control every aspect of the surface look. Fully updated PSD support means MARI 2.0 works seamlessly with Adobe Photoshop and other paint software that reads industry standard PSD files. All the control and flexibility artists know from 2D painting applications is now available in full 3D, directly on the model. Users with active maintenance can download the updated version now, new licenses are $1995 US / 1450 EUR. A 15-day trial version can be downloaded here. [source]

Thinkbox Software announced the release of Krakatoa SR, a stand-alone version of Thinkbox Software's high-volume particle renderer for Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems that can be integrated with any 3D content creation application. Previously available for Autodesk 3ds Max and Autodesk Maya 3D software, Krakatoa is CPU-based, highly optimized, heavily multi-threaded, and can be used successfully on most hardware, including laptops and render nodes, without dedicated high-end graphics accelerators. Krakatoa SR exposes both a Python-based interface and a C++ API to connect to various professional 3D applications such as The Foundry's Nuke or Side Effects Software's Houdini. For information on pricing or to request a 15-day evaluation license, visit thinkboxsoftware.com. [source]

Steinberg a fully functional 30-day trial version of Cubase 7, which can be downloaded here. Please note that an existing USB eLicenser and Internet connection is required for activation. Discover why Cubase 7 is the producer’s choice and enjoy the intuitive handling of the new MixConsole alongside highly advanced audio and MIDI tools for recording, editing and mixing. [source]

AmbientDesign Ltd. released ArtRage 4, the latest update to its Mac OS and Window-based painting software. Fourth versions brings several new features, including paint symmetry, gradient fills, Wacom stylus features, clone tool, non-uniform transformation, new toolbox panel, and more. Out now for $49.90 US; upgrading information is available here. [source]

French studio Motion Boutique released version 2.0 of Newton, its 2D dynamic simulation plug-in for Adobe After Effects. Newton interprets 2D composition layers as rigid bodies interacting in a real environment, and provides simulation controllers such as body properties (type, density, friction, bounciness, velocity, etc), global properties (gravity, solver), and allows the creation of joints between bodies. Version 2.0 adds four types of joint to link bodies, efficient and clean user interface, better support of shape layers, magnetism system, gravity scale, convex hull, and fixed rotation, scene snapshots, actions history, and a comprehensive user's guide... Newton supports After Effects CS5 - CS6 running on Windows and Mac OS X systems, costs $249.99 US ex. VAT. Trial version is also available. [source]

RE:Vision Effects announced version 1.1 of RE:Match for Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro. RE:Match takes intuitive color and texture matching to a whole new level by addressing common problems on multiple shot, multicam and stereo shoots. RE:Match is a set of plug-ins to match one view of video or film to another so that it looks as if it was shot with the same camera and settings. RE:Match is now available in two versions: RE:Match and RE:Match Pro. RE:Match is more versatile and easier to use, while RE:Match Pro adds stereo pair support. For stereo pairs, RE:Match Pro can further refine the overall color match by taking into account that the two views are captured at the same time with a relatively small distance between the views. RE:Match is priced at $89.95 US, while the Pro edition costs $329.95 US. A demo version can be downloaded here. [source]