Massive Software has announced Massive 3.0, a major new upgrade to its artificial intelligence-driven animation system. According to the company, the release delivers more power to animators, offering improved dynamics, dynamic hair and fur, lanes, layer simulations and more.
“The release of Massive 3.0 marks a huge milestone for the company,’ says Massive CEO Diane Holland. ‘Not only are we delivering a significant upgrade to the software, but releasing it simultaneously on Linux and now Windows delivers what our customers in the animation, visualization and education community have been eagerly waiting for.”
Used heavily by both animation and effects artists, the software incorporates procedural animation and AI to allow artists to create and direct realistic virtual performances for everything from CG humanoids to animals, cars and other objects. Massive ‘agents’ are 3D characters that use sight, sound and touch, enabling them to interpret and react autonomously to the world around them.
New features incorporated into Massive 3.0 include interactive viewing of subdivision surfaces on hundreds or thousands of agents in the viewport; built-in simulation passes that allow the user to quickly set up multiple layers of simulation for performance, dynamics, hair, cloth and more; and FBX support for importing and exporting skeletal data in and out of Massive when using animation packages including Autodesk’s Maya and 3ds Max, and Maxon’sCinema 4D.
Massive 3.0 is priced at $17,999 per license and is available now for Windows and Linux. Massive Jet 3.0 offers out-of-the-box functionality and is available for $5,999 per license. For a comprehensive breakdown of Massive 3.0 features and product information, go to www.massivesoftware.com. SIGGRAPH attendees can visit Massive at booth #1428.
