Luxology Llc. announced the immediate availability of modo 201, its 3D modeling, painting and rendering software built on the ultra clean modo code base. modo 201 combines significant modeling advancements with cutting-edge 3D painting and rendering technologies in a modern workflow customized to enhance productivity for 3D artists working in game development, film visual effects, video production, graphic arts and design visualization. modo 201 is available for immediate download from Luxology at modo3d.com or can be purchased from selected resellers.
modo was developed to provide a fused workflow so that artists can spend less time focusing on the mechanics of 3D content creation and more time on realizing their artistic vision, said Brad Peebler, president of Luxology. modo 201 provides an enhanced 3D creation experience by combining modeling, painting and rendering technologies in a truly unique and complementary way.
Designed to fit easily into existing tool pipelines and work smoothly in conjunction with other leading 2D and 3D software applications, modo 201 accelerates the creation of world-class models, associated color and normal maps, and ultra high-quality renderings, all while providing a comfortable and intuitive working environment.
I use modo 201 for 99% of all my modeling, said Roger Borelli, Walt Disney Feature Animation. We have a Maya-based pipeline and modo 201s new FBX support makes it very easy to go from Maya to modo back to Maya. I love modeling in modo!
modo 201 is definitely the fastest way for me to create my models, said Seneca Menard, id Software. Its new subD edge weighting, custom work planes, UV unwrap tool, custom action centers and fully customizable UI and hotkey system along with the macro/script system allow me to work much faster than I ever could before.
modo 201 is a high-performance software platform that uniquely integrates best-of-breed subdivision surface modeling tools with powerful new painting and rendering technologies.
* Advanced Modeling Technology Core modeling enhancements to modos hybrid subdivision surface/polygon modeler include a new Solid Sketch tool for rapid creation of branched base meshes, efficient mesh instancing for large scene management, rounded beveling controls for corners, faster sculpting and a new Mesh Paint tool for easy placement of geometric details like whiskers or hairs on existing surfaces. modo now provides simplified UV map creation (Click. Drag. Done.) plus a comprehensive UV unwrap editor.
* Integrated Painting Tools New 3D painting inside modo enriches the modeling experience. Artists can directly refine the surface appearance of models using brushes that apply effects such as realtime bump mapping. The full-featured paint system provides a full range of brushes plus line, fill and gradient tools. Masking and blending capabilities are provided, as is support for pressure sensitive input devices. modos new paint tools work in 3D or UV views and flow through the flexible modo toolpipe, which allows for hot swappable brushes, inks, nozzles and falloffs.
* Accelerated Rendering/Baking Technology modos new rendering engine is built from the ground up for massive scalability and super efficient hardware utilization. Modeling and painting changes can be seen almost immediately in a progressively rendered viewport and final renderings are achieved at a new pinnacle of speed and quality. The renderer supports a wide range of global illumination and physically-based shading techniques to deliver advanced optical effects including natural lighting, subsurface scattering, anisotropic blurry reflections and micropolygon displacement. Lens distortion, motion blur and depth of field are supported, and the render engine can readily bake various results (such as normal vectors or ambient occlusion) into image maps.
* Workflow Accelerators modo 201 sports a new integrated learning system with over 4GB of video tutorials and an expanded library of sample content. High-speed OpenGL navigation immerses the artist in the creative experience with incredibly realistic views that feature per pixel shading, multi-texturing and realtime bump mapping. Mouse and keyboard remapping options provide modo artists with common 3D navigation controls and hotkeys found in companion 3D applications for compatible workflows. Materials for rendering are built up in an intuitive layered Shader Tree environment that is familiar to Adobe Photoshop artists.
modo 201 is available for $895. Current modo users can upgrade to modo 201 for $395. modo 201 is available through Luxology and its worldwide reseller partners on both the Windows and Mac OSX platforms.
Based in San Mateo, California, Luxology Llc. (www.modo3d.com) is an independent technology company developing next-generation 3D content creation software that enhances productivity via artist-friendly tools powered by a modern underlying architecture.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
