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).
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NewTek published a series of videos from official SIGGRAPH demonstrations of its upcoming LightWave 10 3D modeling, animation and rendering software (more). The videos, showing rigging tools, virtual cinematography, shaders, and other features, are available for your viewing pleasure at this location. [source]

Pixologic, Inc. released the long-awaited fourth version of ZBrush, company's flagship digital sculpting and painting software for Windows and Mac OS X systems. For more information on features, read our previous announcements. All current ZBrush license holders are entitled to a free upgrade to ZBrush 4.0, regardless of when they purchased ZBrush. In addition to the usual backup CD option, Pixologic is also offering a limited 10th Anniversary Special Edition package of ZBrush 4.0 and - for a limited period (till 9th Sept., 2010) - Pixologic is offering ZBrush 4.0 downloadable licenses with optional Special Edition packaging at the existing purchase price of $595 US per license. After that date, regular pricing incl. Special Edition packaging will be $699 US per license. [source]

The Foundry released MARI 1.0, the first iteration of their new 3D texture painting application. MARI is a brand new creative 3D texture painting product, originally developed at Weta Digital to handle the exceedingly detailed look development and texture work demanded by Avatar. MARI copes easily with an obsessive level of detail - literally tens of thousands of textures - quickly and elegantly (more on features; videos). MARI is currently available on Linux 64, Windows build will be released later this year. For more information, take a look at MARI on The Foundry's YouTube Channel. You can also download a fully functional 15-day demo license here and have a play for yourself, or buy the application for an MSRP of 600 GBP / 900 USD / 720 EUR ex. VAT, including 1 year of maintenance. In addition, The Foundry announced an exclusive deal with Walt Disney Animation Studios providing access to their Paint 3D technology. Find out more about what this means for MARI here. [source]

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]

NewTek announced LightWave 10, the next generation of its Emmy award-winning professional 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software. LightWave 10 will offer a wealth of new features, including a photoreal real-time renderer, VPR (Viewport Preview Renderer) and advanced, real-time CG hardware viewport shading, delivering Anaglyph Stereo, Ambient Occlusion, Transparency, Refractions, and Bloom. LightWave 10 will also offer extensive, new immersive real-time virtual cinematography, game development tools, and more.. LightWave 10 will begin shipping in Q4 2010, but artists may gain access to preview builds of LightWave 10 immediately through NewTek SIGGRAPH special offers. When LightWave 10 ships, it will be available for a suggested retail price of $1,495 US, upgrades will be available for $695 US. [source]

Autodesk has acquired Illuminate Labs, a privately held maker of lighting technology for game development. Illuminate Labs' Beast middleware solution and Turtle plug-in for Autodesk Maya software enable faster iteration on a game's creative intent, and more realistic in-game lighting. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Autodesk anticipates that Beast middleware will continue to be licensed as a standalone product, Turtle will be incorporated into future offerings, and discontinued as a standalone product... [source]

According to the latest announcement from Pixologic, Inc., the long-awaited fourth version of ZBrush will be released on Monday, August 9, 2010. This new version of Pixologic's flagship digital sculpting and painting software will come with updated plug-ins, and GoZBrush support for modo, CINEMA 4D, 3ds Max and Maya for Windows and Mac OS X systems. For more information on features, read our previous announcement. ZBrush 4 will be released as a free upgrade to all current registered ZBrush users, and for those who purchase ZBrush before the release date. [source]

Royalty-free stock footage specialist announced the addition of three new footage brands to their library. Expanding the selection of high-quality options to over one hundred different brands allows Artbeats customers access to new footage from Martin Lisius (a notable collection of tornadoes, hurricanes and other extreme weather), Johner Motion (provides thousands of Scandinavian inspired lifestyle and establishment clips) and GlamourKey (green screen footage shot with the RED ONE camera). These brands, and many others, are available for viewing and purchase through the Artbeats FootageHub. Upon registering with Artbeats, you can download a free clip every week. [source]

Filter Forge, Inc. announced the final release of Filter Forge 2.0, a high-end plug-in for Windows and Mac OS X versions of Adobe Photoshop allowing computer artists to build their own filters in a visual editor or download any of over 7000 user-submitted filters from a free on-line library. New features include instant filter search, versatile and fast particle-spraying components, support for unlimited HDR colors, Lua scripting, support for non-seamless textures, new texture lighting options and shadows via ambient occlusion (more). Filter Forge can be used as a stand-alone application or as a plug-in for Adobe Photoshop and compatible hosts, and is offered in three differently priced editions ($149, $249, and $399 US, currently reduced by 40%) targeted at entry-level, mainstream and professional graphic artists. The free fully-functional 30-day trial version is available at the Filter Forge download page. [source]