Computer Graphics World

Autodesk Announces 3ds Max Design 2010 Software PRODUCT: DESIGN Autodesk is readying 3ds Max Design 2010, the latest version of its modeling, animation, and rendering software for design profes- sionals. The 2010 release includes new features and enhance- ments that accelerate design iteration and help achieve more sustainable designs. 3ds Max Design lets architects, designers, engineers, and visualization specialists explore, validate, and communicate their creative ideas, from initial concept models to fi nal, cinema-quality presentations. The product offers digital continuity with Autodesk's Auto CAD, Revit, and Inventor software, enabling design data to be reused for visualization. At least 350 new features have been added, including render- like effects in the viewport display for near-photoreal quality to speed decision-making. A new Graphite modeling and textur- ing system, with approximately 100 new creative tools, helps designers explore and rapidly iterate their ideas. A real-time lighting analysis solution for validating the effect of direct light- ing, along with the newly certifi ed Exposure technology, helps users create more sustainable designs. And, an extensive library of particle effects and fl ickerless rendering improve- ments help users communicate design intent using the latest developments in game and fi lm technology. 3ds Max Design 2010, priced at $3495, is expected to be released later this spring, while 3ds Max 2010 software for entertainment professionals, which is priced at $895, is avail- able now. PRODUCT: FACIAL ANIMATION Image Metrics has introduced four new facial animation service levels for fi lm and game customers. Due to throughput innovations in Image Metrics' proprietary technology as well as improvements to its in-house facial animation processes, the new service levels now offer even better results at more competitive prices. "In the past, CG storytellers have been unable to get the performances they wanted from their CG characters because animating the face has been cost-prohibitive. In games alone, prices for adequate facial anima- tion average roughly $5000 per minute," points out Michael Starkenburg, Image Metrics' CEO. The four new service levels range from facial animation for background video- game characters to photorealistic digital doubles for live-action movies. All the offerings use Image Metrics' proprietary facial animation technology to analyze an actor's facial performance and transfer it with all of its subtleties and nuances to a 3D facial rig. The new Value service, at about half the cost of standard facial animation, automatically generates large volumes of high-quality facial animation for second- ary characters in games or for previsual- ization purposes. The Pro service, which offers more subtle facial movements on advanced game rigs, is geared for in-game scenes and cut-scenes. The Premium level, for high-quality faces, provides greater creative control with pore-level analysis of facial movement and more fi ne-tuning of the performance. Finally, the Elite offering is for believable digital faces, and utilizes all the features of the technology. All the service levels include a fi nal output of animation curves that work with the leading 3D software applications. Pricing varies according to project. Image Metrics Offers New Service Levels 4 April 2009

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