Autodesk 3ds Max 2012 Software Announced

By DE Editors

Autodesk, Inc. has announced the release of Autodesk 3ds Max 2012 software, the latest version of the company’s 3D modeling, animation, rendering and compositing application. Mapping to the Excalibur (XBR) initiative — a phased plan for the restructuring of 3ds Max — the new version provides improvements in workflow, user interface and performance intended to give designers enhanced creative capabilities and help them to be more productive.

Achieving a goal of the XBR initiative, 3ds Max 2012 introduces a rewritten, multi-threaded graphics core that provides improvements to viewport performance and quality. In addition, new creative toolsets and enhanced iterative workflows help increase overall productivity. The 2012 version also features single-step interoperability with products contained in Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite Premium 2012.

New features in Autodesk 3ds Max 2012 software include:

• Nitrous Accelerated Graphics Core — Accelerated by modern GPUs and multicore workstations, Nitrous enables artists to iterate faster and handle larger data sets with limited impact on interactivity.
• Substance Smart Textures — Artists can achieve a range of look variations with a new library of 80 substance smart textures and filters.
• mRigids Rigid-Body Dynamics — mRigids is the first module released in the new MassFX unified system of simulation solvers. Artists can use the multithreaded NVIDIA PhysX engine to create rigid-body simulations directly in the 3ds Max viewport.
• iray Renderer — Using the newly integrated, NVIDIA GPU accelerated, iray rendering technology from mental images, artists can set up their scene, press “render” and get more predictable, photoreal results without worrying about rendering settings, according to the company.
• Enhanced UVW Unwrapping — 3ds Max 2012 features a new Least Squares Conformal Mapping (LSCM) method, enhancements to existing tools, and more streamlined workflows.
• Sculpting and painting enhancements — Artists can enjoy greater control over brushstrokes and their effects on geometry.

Autodesk anticipates that 3ds Max 2012 will be available in English in April 2011. Autodesk expects to announce Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2012 software in late-March 2011. The Autodesk suggested retail price (MSRP) for an Autodesk 3ds Max 2012 stand-alone license is $3,495. The MSRP to upgrade from 3ds Max 2011 to 3ds Max 2012 is $1,745.

For more information, visit Autodesk.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.