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Company: Massive
Web Site: www.massivesoftware.com
Application: Massive 2.6
Function: Epic animation tool
Platform(s): Linux (Red Hat 9, Fedora Core 2, 4
32-bit system)
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| Massive Prime interface |
With the release of Massive 2.6, users gain increased pipeline flexibility, expanded rendering options and smarter ?agents? tailored for studios of any size.
Agents are 3D Massive characters that have a fuzzy logic AI "brain." Endowed with senses of sight, hearing and touch, they react autonomously to their environment, whether they?re humanoids, animals, or inanimate objects such as cars. Agents are now capable of ?hybrid stunts? in version 2.6, due to the ability to apply Smart Stunts to specific parts of an agent. These include new grab constraints that enable an agent to grab objects or climb ropes.
Massive version 2.6 introduces support for sub-division geometry, making it possible to create higher quality geometry for more detailed renderings of characters close to the camera.
The new integrated Velocity renderer in version 2.6 can render epic shots at film quality up to 30 times faster than supported software renderers, according to Massive. Custom shaders can also be used. Plus, Massive agents now can have render attributes and shader visibility assigned to them on a per-render basis. This allows render attributes such as ambient occlusion, shadow passes, and depth passes to be customized.
There are two versions, Massive Prime and Massive Jet. Massive Prime is an artist-friendly node based version that requires no programming. Massive Jet offers a streamlined workflow for producing either scenes using AI-enabled agents from Massive's Ready-to-Run Library or scenes created in Massive Prime.
Company: Next Limit Technologies
Web Site: www.nextlimit.com
Application: RealFlow 4
Function: Fluid simulator
Platform(s): Windows XP, Linux (available as a Maya plugin for Mac OSX)
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| RealFlow 4 interface |
The effects can be controlled with scripting, curve editing and daemons. Typically, users will import a scene created in their 3D package, run the simulation in RealFlow, save the result as mesh or particles, and then export back to the 3D package (Maya, 3ds Max, Cinema4D, LightWave, SOFTIMAGE|XSI).
RealFlow's engine can simulate liquids, viscous and elastics bodies, gases and soft matter. A metaball-based mesh generator makes it possible to generate a liquid surface and then render it in a 3D platform with a sub-polygon material.
Company: Natural Motion
Web Site: www.naturalmotion.com/morpheme.htm
Application: Morpheme
Function: Game Animation Engine
Platform(s): Windows XP
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| morpheme:connect |
There are two components to morpheme -- morpheme:runtime and morpheme:connect. morpheme:runtime is a run-time engine optimized for Playstation3, Xbox 360 and PC that includes full source code. It has fully customizable blend nodes and support for IK and rigid body dynamics.
The other component, morpheme:connect, is a 3D authoring application that allows animators to graphically author blend trees and transition logic (based on Hierarchical Finite State Machines), modify and edit parameters through sliders, and view the results in real time. It includes 2D and 3D viewports for authoring and visualization and is fully extensible through plugins.
Natural Motion was not on the SIGGRAPH show floor, but gave demos on a yacht anchored in Boston Harbor during the show.
Company: Reallusion
Web Site: www.reallusion.com
Application: iClone Studio 1.5
Function: 3D character and prop building tools
Platform(s): Windows XP/ME/2000/98SE
iClone Studio is designed for non-specialists who need tools for previz and roughing out scenes, including Machinima enthusiasts. Using slider controls for ease of operation, iClone Studio has tools for animation of 3D characters, props, and cameras within a scene.
A real-time rendering engine provides a game-like environment with support for real-time bump, glow, reflection, transparency, and normal maps.
Custom assets may be created for iClone using 3ds Max or Maya and managed inside the iClone content library. Characters and scenes can be exported to 3D Studio Max or Maya with Reallusion?s upcoming iClone Studio PRO FBX exporter.
Company: E-on Software
Web Site: http://www.e-onsoftware.com/products/vue/vue_6/
Application: Vue 6
Function: Animation and rendering of environments
Platform(s): Windows 2000/XP and XP64
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| Clouds created with Vue 6 xStream |
The two professional CG products, Vue 6 xStream (US$995) and Vue 6 Infinite (US$695) include tools for creating realistic natural environments. Vue 6 xStream is an integrated application that enables environments to be rendered in 3ds Max, Maya, LightWave or Cinema 4D, with an XSI version in development. Vue 6 Infinite is a standalone application for scenery creation, rendering and animation.
The three tools aimed at 3D artists are Vue 6 Esprit (US$199), with natural 3D tools for artists and illustrators; Vue 6 Pro Studio (US$399), for advanced artists who need extensive control over the creation of complex scenes; and Vue 6 Easel (US$99), an entry-level 3D scenes animation application.
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