Luxion to Demonstrate KeyShot 3 at SolidWorks World

In about two weeks, if you find yourself at SolidWorks World, you can stop by Luxion Keyshot's Booth (406) for a demonstration of the company's latest rendering software, KeyShot 3.

Released in November 2011, KeyShot 3 marks the debut of an optional animation module (for $500 extra, on top of your basic KeyShot license). With the new module, you can work in the same familiar KeyShot rendering environment to create simple, straightforward movie clips for product presentation and instruction manuals.

KeyShot3's animation setup, edit, and playback are displayed in real-time raytraced environment. Instead of key-frame animation (a method commonly used in media and entertainment software titles), KeyShot uses a patent-pending system that employes offset and transforms (terms more familiar to CAD software users). In addition to component movements, you may also define camera movements, adding complexity to your movie. The end results can be output as AVI, QuickTime, or Flash files.

Luxion has also upgraded its plug-ins series (available for PTC Creo, Pro/ENGINEER, SolidWorks, Rhino, and Google SketchUp). The free programs let you easily transfer 3D design files from CAD packages to KeyShot's rendering environment.