Cadalyst - December 2007 - (Page 32)

firstlook Autodesk 3ds Max 2008 Performance enhancements make 3D modeling tasks 10 to 60 times faster. By Ron LaFon These new features are certainly welcome, but the performance enhancements are particularly noteworthy. For example, material assignment is as much as 10 times faster for 10,000 nodes, and the selection of thousands of objects is, in many cases, more Enhancements to Mental Ray and the 3ds Max 2008/Mental than 10 times faster. Ray workflow will help achieve your look faster. Transform objects is as much as 60 times faster for 5,000 RAM (1 GB recommended). At least objects or more, and moving objects 500 MB of swap space is required, with to hidden layers also is as much as 2 GB recommended. Visit the Autodesk 60 times faster. These improvements Web site for the 64-bit requirements. — combined with others in grouping, Data created with the 64-bit vercloning, and array functions — add up sion of 3ds Max 2008 will load in the to more high-quality work in less time. 32-bit version of 3ds Max 2008 and Both 32- and 64-bit versions of vice versa. Files and scenes saved in Autodesk 3ds Max 2008 are included 3ds Max 9 are forward compatible in the box. The 32-bit version runs with 3ds Max 2008, but if a scene has under Microsoft Windows Vista or XP been saved with plug-ins using a prior with Service Pack 2 or later installed; version of 3ds Max, it may not load DirectX 10 is supported under Vista, properly if the plug-ins have not been and DirectX 9 is supported under installed for 3ds Max 2008. The good XP. The 64-bit version of Autodesk news is that all existing 3ds Max 9 plug3ds Max 2008 runs under Microsoft ins (32- or 64-bit) will work with the Windows Vista or XP Professional x64. respective versions of 3ds Max 2008. Some features are enabled only when A trial version of Autodesk 3ds Max used with graphics hardware that sup2008 is available for download and ports Shader Model 3.0 (Pixel Shader evaluation at www.autodesk.com. and Vertex Shader 3.0). Several usability features are cerAll versions support hardwaretainly welcome, but the performance accelerated OpenGL and Direct3D, enhancements found in Autodesk are optimized for the Microsoft Intelli3ds Max 2008 alone make it worth Mouse, and require a DVD-ROM drive the price of the upgrade. Highly for installation. Apple computers based Recommended. c on Intel processors and running Microsoft operating systems are not currently Ron LaFon, a contributing editor for Cadalyst, is a writer, editor, and a computer graphsupported. The 3ds Max 2008 32-bit software requires a system with an Intel ics and electronic publishing specialist from Pentium IV or AMD Athlon XP or higher Atlanta, Georgia. He is a principal at 3Bear Productions in Atlanta. processor with at least 512 MB of A utodesk’s catchphrase for the newly released Autodesk 3ds Max 2008 is very apt: create stunning 3D in less time. Highlights of this release includes the addition of easy-to-use user interface (UI) and scene-management features, as well as Review — a toolset that supports interactive previewing of shadows, the 3ds Max sun/sky environment, and architectural and design material settings. DWG import enhancements and improved file linking both serve to strengthen compatibility with other Autodesk design applications such as AutoCAD 2008, AutoCAD Architecture 2008, and Revit 2008. Autodesk 3ds Max 2008 is a leading 3D modeling, animation, and rendering solution used by gamer producers, film and video artists, and design professionals. This release also incorporates numerous time-saving 3ds Max/Mental Ray workflow features, such as sky portal lighting options and a camera-based interface for exposure settings. Autodesk 3ds Max 2008 3D Modeling, Animation, and Rendering Software Pros: Faster; R9 plug-ins work; better DWG support; Review rendering toolset. Cons: A few bugs that should be remedied fairly quickly. Price: $3,495, standalone version; $4,195, network version; $795, upgrade. Autodesk 877.347.2733 www.autodesk.com 32 December 2007 | cadalyst | www.cadalyst.com http://www.autodesk.com http://www.autodesk.com http://www.cadalyst.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Cadalyst - December 2007

Cadalyst - December 2007 Contents Editor's Window Cad Central Autodesk Gets Digital Top Honors - Saluting Outstanding CAD Products NX 5, Part 2 — CAD/CAM/CAE Software Autodesk 3ds Max 2008 —3D Modeling, Animation, and Rendering Software Document Management: Is It Still Valid? Standardizing 3D Modeling Nomenclature Share and Share Alike Cad Cartoon Issue Indexes Cad Fidential

Cadalyst - December 2007

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