Luxology Ships modo 102

Luxology Llc. unveiled modo 102, a powerful new version of its subdivision surface and polygonal modeling platform. modo 102's superior realtime performance and artist-friendly interface, combined with hundreds of new feature enhancements, make it one of the fastest and most advanced 3D modeling systems currently available.

"Many of the new features and enhancements in modo 102 are a direct result of customer feedback," said Brad Peebler, president of Luxology. "Our next generation code base allowed us to quickly incorporate users' feature requests, improve various tools and increase extensibility and stability. The result is a faster, stronger and more powerful version of modo."

The industry veterans at Luxology developed modo based on valuable insight and expertise from top production artists such as John Gross, Meni Tsirbas and Jason Bickerstaff. Luxology's view that all 3D vendors and customers are partners, combined with the company's extensive beta program, have facilitated the continued advancement of modo, which is a completely open and modular technology that enhances and complements today's complex production pipelines.

modo 102 boasts more than 100 new advancements, including:

* Advanced Toolset: Artist-centric functionality such as bridge, paste and loop slice selected allow users to create new geometry faster and with greater control. Organic power tools such as bend and element falloff distance provide an incredibly flexible approach to smooth mesh transformation. The new UV sew and edge length data utilities provide much needed detail-oriented tools for power users.

* Increased Flexibility: In addition to the PERL scripting connection, modo 102 adds support for the LUA scripting language often used by game developers. The modo 102 scripting system also provides new file and information dialogues, a new progress meter and additional services that allow users to extend modo's custom functionality via scripts.

* Workflow Improvements: The new UV to EPS export script provides a seamless method for accurately painting textures in Photoshop and other paint applications used for creating texture maps. modo's new auto-quad will quickly create a quadrangular polygon from only three vertices, which simplifies the process of creating geometry. The fix symmetry repairs the symmetry in a mesh when the artist accidentally creates asymmetrical mesh edits. UV selection enhancements for loop select and select connected mean users can create complex UV maps quickly and easily.

* Seamless Integration: New Alias Maya data support, SUBD blendshapes, SUBD creasing, and selection sets improve connectivity to Maya. The RIB exporter allows users to easily render modo meshes with any RenderMan compliant render engine.

"The new features in modo 102 allow me to model faster and easier than any other application currently available," suggested Aaron Smith, artist at Epic Games. "modo's power and flexibility streamline my workflow and its customizable interface allows me to work in a way that is unique to my needs."

"modo 102 is extremely efficient, powerful and flexible," added Jake Carvey, director and lead artist of SpinOff Studios/Naked Sky Ent. "From innovative and intuitive modeling tools, to its completely customizable interface, modo allows me to go from vision to completion faster than any other package."

"modo has had a tremendous impact on our overall workflow," said Richard Hurrey, president of V-Torque Studios. "Its extremely short learning curve, level of interactivity, and unrivaled speed enable us to model faster than ever before."

modo 102 is currently available through Luxology and its worldwide partners. modo ships on a single disc supporting both Mac OS X and Windows, and sells for a suggested retail price of $895, with a limited-time introductory price of $695. It is free for existing modo customers wishing to upgrade to modo 102. To purchase or upgrade, and obtain immediate access to modo 102 via download, visit www.modo3d.com or contact Luxology at (650) 378-8506.

Based in San Mateo, California, Luxology Llc. (www.luxology.com) is an independent technology company developing high-end 3D content creation tools that enhance productivity for artists working in the film, television, gaming and print industries.