Preview:

Autodesk Media & Entertainment unveiled 3ds Max 8 at Siggraph this month. 

This upgrade can probably be summed up in one word -- complexity.  3ds Max 8 has added several features to meet demands of real production.  The major advancement to this end is the inclusion of Autodesk Vault.  Users already utilizing the advantages of Autodesk Vault will be thrilled to learn that Max is now supported.  By using the Vault Explorer plug-in within Max, you can get a concise summary of all the tools and assets used within the particular scene you have open.  (Click on the images below for a larger view.)

All the features released exclusively to subscription clients over the past year - including Cloth, Hair and Fur, Mental Ray 3.4 and eight satellite render nodes - along with an extensive collection of visualization features compatible with Autodesk VIZ 2006, including enhanced File Link, Autodesk Inventor import, radiosity and adaptive subdivision - are automatically included in 3ds Max 8. 

Some of the new features are summarized below:

Advanced Modeling / Texturing

• pelt mapping - generates texture coordinates
• Direct X and .fx support to create real-time viewport shaders
• polygon modeling advances keeps max at forefront

Comprehensive Development Framework

• improved SDK tools
• Maxscript debugger and SQL support
• Support of DWF for review and approval.
• Complex Data Management
• Integration of Vault for easy-to-deploy work-in-progress asset management
• Improved cross reference mechanism for managing complex scenes
• Direct connectivity to popular asset management tools.

Character Development

• Improved rigging tools
• New generalized motion mixer, motion  targeting
• New non-linear animation engine for applying animations by pasting them onto models

For more information on the new features click here and here.  And as always, drop me a line if you'd just like to talk about my favorite subjects.