At its annual World Press Days event this week, Autodesk Inc. announced two new versions of its Autodesk 3ds Max modeling, animation and rendering software. Autodesk 3ds Max 2009 for entertainment artists is joined by 3ds Max Design 2009, a tailored 3D application for architects, designers and visualization specialists. Both versions offer new rendering capabilities, improved interoperability with industry-standard products including Revit software, as well as additional time-saving animation and mapping workflow tools. 3ds Max Design 2009 also provides lighting simulation and analysis technology.
‘Autodesk 3ds Max now comes in two distinct flavors to better meet the specific needs of our entertainment and visualization customers,” says Marc Petit senior VP of Autodesk Media and Entertainment. ‘3ds Max 2009 and 3ds Max Design 2009 provide users with tailored online experiences, user interface and application defaults, tutorials, samples, and more. This simplifies the learning process and makes it easier for users to find the information that’s most relevant to them.’
Key features in Autodesk 3ds Max 2009 include the new Reveal rendering toolset, which streamlines iterative workflows; and the ProMaterials material library for simulating real-world surfaces. The release also delivers numerous biped enhancements and new UV editing tools. Improved OBJ and Autodesk FBX file formats import and export enhance interoperability with Autodesk Mudbox, Autodesk Maya, Autodesk MotionBuilder software programs and other third-party applications. In addition, Recognize, a new scene-loading technology, significantly improves the inter-application workflow with Revit Architecture 2009.
3ds Max Design 2009 includes all features offered in Autodesk 3ds Max 2009, with the exception of the software development toolkit (SDK). Max Design also includes Exposure technology for simulating and analyzing sun, sky, and artificial lighting to assist with LEED 8.1 certification.
Autodesk anticipates that 3ds Max 2009 and 3ds Max Design 2009 will be available in English during spring 2008 for the suggested retail price of $3,495. Upgrades from 3ds Max 2008 will cost approximately $895. Details and purchasing options are expected to be accessible starting March 25 at www.autodesk.com/purchaseoptions. Information and selected content from Autodesk World Press Days can be found at www.worldpressdays08.com.
