Caligari Corp. announced version 7.5 of trueSpace, the industrys first 3D software application to feature realtime collaborative authoring technology. The new release, which will become available in Q4 2006, will feature a number of significant enhancements, including brand new character animation, modeling, rendering and collaborative tools and a simplified UI. trueSpace7.5 is the only 3D authoring product on the market to offer all aspects of realtime design, modeling, animation and rendering within a virtual 3D space shared by remote participants over the broadband internet.
Version 7.5 will feature a brand new, state-of-the-art character animation subsystem, which takes advantage of the new trueSpace architecture as well as the latest advances in animation research. The new Inverse Kinematics is style based, using empirical databases of motion styles to make manipulation of characters much more natural, while at the same time giving users full access to every single key-framable parameter. Users will also able to freely and seamlessly blend traditional keyframed clips with new procedural and physics based clips to help easily create typically demanding realistic animations such as jumps, falls or crashes.
New modeling capabilities will include a new set of polygon modeling tools in the Player, including a new Material Editor, UV Editor and a Draw panel with curves. Version 7.5 will also include a redesigned PolyDraw, which can draw on SDS surfaces, advanced snapping and constraints, shrink wrap, and unwrap. True displacement tools will allow users to literally paint new geometry on the existing surface using image brushes.
New rendering features in trueSpace7.5 will include much anticipated hair and fur shaders. Other new V-Ray features will include solid animation support, such as high quality motion blur, depth of field, post processing, anisotropic reflections, true displacement mapping and more. Users can also expect improvements in the Lightworks rendering tools too.
One of the unique aspects of trueSpace is a complete set of collaborative tools and users can expect significant additions in version 7.5 including private user shared spaces and new integrated communications tools.
And finally, favorite tools from previous versions will be seamlessly converted to the new 7.5 architecture, thereby reducing the need for bridge between the two types of interfaces. Furthermore version 7.5 will feature configurable toolbars and libraries, making the interface more polished and easier to use.
TrueSpace 7.5 will be available for $595; for further info on pricing and upgrade options, visit the website.
Caligari Corp. (www.caligari.com) was founded in 1986. Throughout the last 20 years, the company has led the market with major innovations in 3D authoring for interactive graphic design, product design and multimedia. Today, Caligaris mission is to develop collaborative 3D authoring technology that enables participants to work and learn online. The company's award-winning flagship product, trueSpace, is a 3D modeling and animation program with a novel, direct manipulation interface. The company maintains headquarters at 1959 Landings Drive, Mountain View, California, 94043.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
