Cadalyst - August 2008 - (Page 24)

cadalystlabsreview tools to provide additional capabilities, so EPix export is available in rendering applications such as AccuRender and Artlantis. Vedute, an included utility, converts DXF or 3DS files to EPix, so getting a design into the application seldom presents a problem, particularly when combined with Piranesi’s extensive third-party application support. Vedute also has been enhanced with this release, and parts of models now can be exported as 3D cutouts. 3D cutouts from other sources such as Google’s 3D Warehouse also can be placed within Piranesi. Many of what were called effects in Piranesi 4 have been promoted to tools in Piranesi 5 and are easier to find on This visualization of a wristwatch was created in modo. (Image courtesy of Ryan Drue) the Tools toolbar. These include specialized tools for text creation, edge detection, restoration, smudging, construction, and filtereler is a fast and capable polygonal and subdivision surface ing. Two new tools have been added: the Light tool, which modeler, the paint tools incorporate procedurals into the makes it easier to relight a scene, and the Stamp tool, layering process with a broad range of creative options, and which allows you to paint with one or more raster images the renderer doesn’t sacrifice quality for speed. or use them as alpha masks to the current color. A new Although each of the components of modo taken indiHelp assistant guides you through the application. vidually is strong, it’s how these components are integrated The minimum system requirements for the Windows that make modo outstanding. Fortunately, modo also inteversion of Piranesi 5 include Microsoft Windows 2000, XP grates with other products often used by visualization proHome, XP Professional, or Vista and a graphics card/monifessionals, such as Adobe Photoshop, McNeel’s Rhino, and tor combination that is capable of at least 1,024 x 768 resGoogle SketchUp, so it fits smoothly into a wide variety of olution and can display at least 65,000 colors. For the design and visualization workflows. Macintosh, Piranesi 5.02 requires any system running Among the new features in modo 302 are across-theOS X v10.4.10 or later and a graphics card/monitor capaboard improvements to the modeling, rendering, and anible of displaying at least 65,000 colors. A DVD drive also is mation capabilities. modo 302 also introduced the File I/O required for PC or Mac installation Software Developer’s Kit for creating loaders and savers Piranesi 5 is priced at $750, with upgrade, multiuser, and for geometry and images inside the application. Support educational pricing available. A demo version is available for for Adobe layered PSD files is enhanced, and a new camera download from the Piranesi Web site, where you’ll also find navigation method makes it easier to roam in world space. extensive information about Piranesi’s capabilities as well Additionally, modo can load MDD files to render animations as some remarkable galleries of artwork created by users. created in other 3D applications or in Point Oven. For a full Tutorial videos are available, as are plug-ins for a number list of the new features, visit the company’s Web site. of visualization and design applications that don’t yet have The general system requirements for modo 302 are a built-in support for exporting EPix files. minimum of 1 GB of RAM and 100 MB of available hard A version 5.02 update for the Windows version of Piradisk space — 3 GB if you install all content and integrated nesi can be downloaded, along with an update for Vedute. If training materials. You’ll also need an OpenGL-accelerated you have the Macintosh version of the software, no update graphics card and a monitor capable 1,024 x 768 resolution is necessary, as the original shipping version was v5.02. or greater. The product can be downloaded or purchased on DVD, and an Internet connection is required for product activation. For the Macintosh version of modo, you’ll need a Mac with a G4, G5, or Intel processor that runs under Mac Luxology’s modo 302 is a OS X 10.4 or later. The Windows version of modo requires Luxology remarkably well-integrated a PC with an Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon processor 650.378.8506 application that offers mod(SSE instruction support is required) running under Winwww.modo3d.com eling, painting, and renderdows 2000 or Windows XP. Microsoft Vista is not yet supPrice: $895 ing to deliver a uniquely fused ported. Luxology has priced modo at $895, with upgrade workflow. Little wonder that modo has become so popular pricing available for users of previous versions. among professionals in industrial design, product and packThe modo 302 DVD includes versions for Mac and Winage design, AEC, game development, and film. If you take dows operating systems. Both are licensed to the individual, each part of modo independently, you’ll find that the modnot the machine, so you can move back and forth between modo 302 24 www.cadalyst.com cadalyst August 2008 http://www.modo3d.com http://www.cadalyst.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Cadalyst - August 2008

Cadalyst - August 2008 Contents Editor's Window CAD Central Tech Trends: Rotor Bug Strikes Again Cadalyst Labs Reviews: Digital Dreams — Visualization Software: Make Your Design Visions a Reality Maple 12 — Math Software AutoLINE 2009 — Linetype Management Add-On Deep Access — Digital-Media Asset Management Software View Point: Examining the Autodesk–Bentley Agreement CAD Manager: Managing Multioffice Mayhem MCAD Modeling: Do You Need Modeling Standards? AEC Insight: Modeling Technology for Building Engineers CAD Cartoon Issue Indexes Hot Tip Harry: Better Living with Objects and Smart Entities

Cadalyst - August 2008

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