Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/552848
4 cgw j u ly . a u g u s t 2 0 1 5 S P O T L I G H T PIXAR RELEASES RENDERMAN 20 Pixar Anima- tion Studios has released version 20 of its Academy Award-winning RenderMan soware, intro- ducing innovations allowing cinematic-quality imagery to be created more easily and faster than previously possible. Highlights include a noise reduction technology that directly addresses the problem of image artifacts associated with physically based raytracers. RenderMan 20 also includes a physical camera, a visualizer for navigating and inspecting large scenes interactively, expanded shader libraries and pre- sets, and new volume rendering features. A new Marschner hair shader represents the first time Pixar has shipped shad- ing technology specifically developed for use in its feature films, making available Pixar-quality hair and fur. In addition, RenderMan's advanced customization is emphasized through a new light filter API. Rendering shots for dailies is also faster with new enhancements to RenderMan's noted image checkpointing, allowing entire shots to be quick- ly previewed nearly immediately and at full resolution. Free Non-Commercial RenderMan is now upgraded to version 20, as well. V-RAY IS VR-READY Chaos Group has unveiled V-Ray 3.2 for 3ds Max, which includes VR rendering capabilities and multiple V-Ray RT GPU enhancements. This free update also contains improved volume rendering, distributed rendering, and global illumination. V-Ray 3.2 for 3ds Max adds two new VR camera types to render stereo cube maps and spherical stereo imag- es for VR headsets, such as Oculus Ri and Samsung Gear VR. VICON OFFERS VANTAGE Vicon has launched an intelligent new flagship camera platform, Vicon Vantage, with the intent to open up motion capture to a broader audience. Vantage combines advanced, powerful features with added intelligence, making it easy to use and accessible for today's new generation of motion-capture applications. Vicon Vantage has been intelligently designed to provide up- to-the-minute information to the system operator. It continuously monitors performance with a host of new sensors, giving the user visual feedback through the onboard camera display, in the so- ware, and on Vicon's new tablet application, Control. Vantage offers 16-, 8-, and 5-megapixel versions, and includes completely re-engineered processing algorithms and tracking capabilities. Moreover, Vicon's new Control iOS app (available now from the App Store) lets operators remotely change camera settings, cali- brate, and start and stop capture. By implementing touch-sensitive commands, Vantage cameras can simply be selected and moni- tored in the Control app in real time. LUXION LOCKS IN KEYSHOT 6 Luxion soon will be releasing the latest version of its real-time raytracing and global illumination program, KeyShot 6, which is currently in private beta test and expected to be available at the end of summer. KeyShot 6 introduces new capabilities and advanced features that allow design- ers, engineers, marketing specialists, and 3D artists to expand the possibilities of the visuals they are able to create using their 3D data. KeyShot 6 features include new lighting presets, real-time region rendering, and multilayer PSD output to improve workflow efficiency, expanded material features with the new Material Graph, label materials, and material animation, and new capa- bilities to create scripts, edit geometry, and quickly shi camera verticals. Animation features now include path, DOF, and panorama anima- tions, while KeyShotVR is now optimized for interior VR and responsive website design.