3D Animation

Animation Software 2009: Sweeeet

October 7, 2008 October is coming, and that can only mean one thing: new software! Well, at least this year it can. After reading just this morning that Adobe announced the new CS4 suite (with enhanced 3D tools to boot), it only adds to the bumper crop of new stuff coming out next month.

Autodesk announced both Maya 2009 and Mudbox 2009 at Siggraph this year, and neither one (at first glance) looks to disappoint. Starting with Mudbox, it’s very apparent they are making a conscious effort to compete with ZBrush – the upgrade offers a whole new palette of tools, most importantly, the ability to now paint directly on the model and export out various maps (diffuse, specular, etc.) to use in other 3D apps. Unlike ZBrush though, which can render a preview of the finished model but then jumps back into normal view mode when you go back to painting, Mudbox will let you do a render (complete with HDRI lighting), then paint directly on the rendered image. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it, and I can’t wait to try it out. Of course this only makes me wonder what ZBrush 4 is going to include, but they haven’t even announced it yet, so in the meantime I’ll stay excited about Mudbox.

Then there’s our old buddy, Maya. In celebration of its ten-year anniversary, Autodesk has introduced a number of enhancements/new tools that look very cool. Although too numerous to list here (find the latest news at www.highend3d.com), among the “greatest hits” include a new particle engine that should streamline particle effects, animation layers for non-destructive animation (sweeeet), and my favorite, IPR rendering of almost all the bells and whistles that mental ray has to offer (as well as a much needed render layer overhaul). I can’t begin to explain how this will speed up render workflows, and being a big mental ray fan, I’m really looking forward to the new toys.

Now the only question is whether all this new software will be stable or not, but until I get to test drive it for myself, the glass stays half full…

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