On the heels of last weeks momentous Alias acquisition, Autodesk Inc. has begun shipping 3ds Max 8, the latest version of its award-winning 3D modeling, animation and rendering solution. Created to address growing 3D pipeline complexity with new data management, character animation and speed/performance advancements, 3ds Max software will better help customers realize their creative 3D ideas for game development, film and video production and design visualization.
"When our artists got their hands on the 3ds Max 8 beta, there was no turning back, said Michael Capps, president, Epic Games, makers of Unreal Engine 3, recently chosen by Sony Computer Ent. for its software developer kit for the new PlayStation 3. The time savings from silver-bullet features like Pelt Mapping meant that we immediately put the beta in production for GEARS OF WAR and UNREAL TOURNAMENT 2007. We've been working with the 3ds Max team since the Microsoft DOS days, collaborating on ways to make the Unreal Engine's content pipeline more efficient. We dream up a few crazy features, and they turn around a new version in no time."
Autodesk originally pioneered the concept of unlimited network rendering with 3ds Max and Autodesk Backburner functionality. Now, Autodesk introduces the industry's first scalable, unlimited mental ray network rendering option specifically for 3ds Max. This proprietary addition gives valuable rendering flexibility to customers using 3ds Max software. 3D artists can now distribute 3ds Max rendering tasks (via Backburner) across a network using the integrated mental ray renderer without incurring additional costsallowing them to scale their mental ray rendering resources to the limits of their network or render farm capabilities.
All new features and enhancements in 3ds Max 8 address the needs of animators tasked with meeting the demands of more sophisticated effects projects, next-gen game consoles and photoreal design visualizations. Character Development features include: advanced rigging tools, motion mixing and motion retargeting (non-linear animation). Modeling & Texturing advancements include new UV pelt mapping, DirectX and .fx support. Comprehensive Development Framework enhancements include improved software developer kit (SDK) tools and documentation, XML support that efficiently exchanges scene and animation data and an interactive MAXScript debugger along with support for the Autodesk DWF Viewer, for simple collaborative review and approval of 3D data. Complex Data and Asset Management advancements bring continued connectivity to third-party asset management systems and integration of the Autodesk Vault full-featured data management and asset-tracking solution.
For a complete list of new 3ds Max 8 features, please visit: www.autodesk.com/3dsmax/.
"This release of 3ds Max software brings significant productivity boosts to our user base," said Marc Petit, vp of product development and operations at Autodesk Media and Ent. division. "To that end, we're very proud to also provide our customers with the extended flexibility of the mental ray network rendering framework, adding great value to 3ds Max by allowing our customers to freely scale their render farms and realize an even greater cost of ownership advantage."
Autodesk 3ds Max 8 is now available in English through authorized resellers worldwide. The suggested retail price for Autodesk 3ds Max 8 in North America is $3,495. The suggested retail price to upgrade from 3ds Max 7 to 3ds Max 8 in North America is $795.
The Autodesk suggested retail price for 3ds Max Subscription is $440 per year and is available for purchase simultaneously with the product purchase or upgrade. Subscription customers qualify for access to the latest software updates, valuable product extensions and e-learning materials. For more information about purchasing 3ds Max Subscription, contact an Autodesk Authorized Reseller or visit www.Autodesk.com/subscription/.
Autodesk Inc. (www.autodesk.com) is the leading software and services company for the manufacturing, infrastructure, building, digital media and wireless data services fields. Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
