SIGGRAPH: 3DS MAX TURNS 20
The company launched a microsite on its Area Website (area.autodesk.com/maxturns20) that includes an interactive historical timeline for the application, along with an image gallery showcasing 3DS Max art by users from around the world. There is also a trivia game and a forum where users can post their wish list for future development.
Autodesk is introducing Entertainment Creation Suites Premium at the show, offering more than 40 percent cost savings off the individual applications. The Premium Suite includes a choice of either Maya or 3DS Max, along with Softimage, which features the Interactive Creative Environment (ICE) for the creation of effects that integrate into Maya and 3DS Max through ICE interoperability technology. Softimage also provides Face Robot technology for the creation of high-quality facial animation. The Premium Suite includes Mudbox 3D, the digital sculpting and texture painting software, as well as MotionBuilder for realtime animation.
Three new training modules are being introduced as part of the Autodesk Animation Academy 2011 curriculum for secondary schools. The modules provide students with tools and curriculum to develop the skills needed to create mobile gaming applications. They are designed to be used with Maya software and focus on storytelling and game creation using Unity3D, and Maya Cloth and Fur. The modules add 180 hours of free training material to the Animation Academy program, which now comprises four semesters worth of coursework. All of the education materials are available on the Autodesk Education Community. There, students and educators can download free copies of Maya, 3DS Max, Softimage, MotionBuilder, Mudbox and SketchBook Pro.