Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1573
Vis - sim Insightful Engineering Massive Software has unveiled Massive Insight, which is designed to deliver accu- rate, real-world visualization and simulation to architects, planners, civil engineers, and research scientists. The new software solu- tion is well suited to applications involving life safety, life sciences, pedes- trian planning, transportation simulation, architec- tural design opti- mization, disaster p r e v e n t i o n a n d recovery, environmen- tal impact studies, and consumer behavior research. Massive Insight employs Artifi- cial Life technology, which draws from natural processes rather than traditional simulation methodologies. Its artificial intelligent-driven agents use simulated natural senses, such as vision and hear- ing, to accurately simulate real-world behavior. The software can be used to simulate virtually any object or creature, ranging from planes, trains, and auto- mobiles, to pedestrians, insects, and microbes. Massive Insight includes a variety of behaviors, such as urban traffic patterns, office evacuations, and animal migrations. Massive Software; www.massivesoftware.com AnimAtion In Studio 5 Toon Boom Animation has released Studio 5, a new version that adds stop-motion animation to the software's existing anima- tion capabilities. Positioned as multi-tech- nique animation software, Studio 5 is designed to enable users to master all animation techniques. Studio 5, well suited to educators and students, helps users not only to become familiar with stop-motion, traditional, digital, cut-out, and rotoscoping animation methods, but also to combine them for increased creativity. The latest version incorporates an enhanced user interface, annotation layers for collabora- tion, the ability to export animations directly to YouTube and Facebook, live view/image capture, Onion Skinning for precise posi- tioning, and optimized image playback. Toon Boom Studio 5 is now available at a cost of $330, or $80 as an upgrade. Toon Boom Animation; www.toonboom.com Video Converter Utility 1.0 Blackmagic Design is offering its new Converter Utility 1.0 software for free download from the company's Web site. Converter Utility 1.0 enables all Black- magic Design Mini Converter customers to upgrade their converter software with new features. For Windows and Mac OS X plat- forms, Version 1.0 delivers a high-quality HD down converter in the Mini Converter SDI-to-Analog model. The new hardware down converter enables the conversion of HD to SD in letterbox, anamorphic 16:9, and center cut 4:3 modes. At the same time, Converter Utility adds support for 1080p/50, 1080p/59.94, and 1080p/60 progressive video formats via 3 gb/sec SDI on the Mini Converter SDI-to-HDMI model. Converter Utility 1.0 also takes advantage of Mini Converters' built-in USB connection, enabling all video and audio level adjustments to be made using a soft- ware interface and automatically checking the availability of firmware updates. Users can set analog component video output to output HD directly or to down-convert to SD component output by selecting the bypass switch. Blackmagic Design; www.blackmagic-design.com modeling - AnimAtion Mod Tool Autodesk has announced Autodesk Soft- image Mod Tool 7.5 software, formerly the Softimage Mod Tool. The 3D modeling and animation package designed for aspiring SOFTWARE June 2009 47 For additional product news and information, visit CGW.com WIN MAC WIN LINUX WIN MAC w w w . f o c a l p r e s s . c o m focal press b o o k s F O R C R E A T I V E S , B Y C R E A T I V E S How to Cheat in Adobe Flash CS4 By Chris Georgenes ISBN: 9780240521312 $39.95 Pervasive Games By Markus Montola, Jaakko Stenros, Annika Waern ISBN: 9780123748539 $49.95 Game Art Complete Editor: Andrew Gahan ISBN: 9780240811475 $69.95 Visit www.focalpress.com! View video tutorials, chapter samples, podcasts and more. Sign up for specialized e-newsletters with tips and specials throughout the year. a Z Vg c b V hiZ g X g Z ViZ Focal Press helps youmaintain your competitive edge. Buy online or in your favorite bookstore today!