Luxology unveils modo 201 with new paint tools

Luxology today unveiled modo 201, a new version of its flagship modeling product. Slated for general availability in Q4 2005, modo 201 is described as a "remarkable advancement in speed and integration for the 3D design industry." modo 201 delivers integrated of modeling, painting and rendering technologies as well as a cutting-edge toolset, advanced software ergonomics and a streamlined learning path, according to the company. modo 201 features advanced modeling, integrated painting tools, accelerated rendering technology, and workflow improvements. It will ship later this year; however, the company is offering introductory pricing on the current version along with free upgrades to modo 201 when it ships: the full version is $700, while upgrades are $300.

"modo 201 is not the first 3D environment to incorporate modeling, painting and rendering," explains Brad Peebler, president and co-founder of Luxology. "However, modo is the first environment built from the ground up to integrate these workflow steps in a way that dramatically improves the ability of 3D designers to focus more on creating and less on process and repetitive steps."

• Advanced Modeling Technology – Users can simplify and optimize complex meshes with true mesh instancing. In addition, UV map creation with UV Unwrap and Solid Sketch allows rapid creation of base SDS meshes and Mesh Paint for painting geometric details on existing mesh surfaces.




• Integrated Painting Tools – The company added intuitive tool pipe painting tools, which allow hot swappable brushes, inks, nozzles and falloffs. modo 201 also features parametric ink, realtime bump map painting and new masking methods for precise control over texture application.




• Accelerated Rendering Technology – The company touts "incredibly" optimized global illumination, physically-based shading options for energy conservation, fresnel effect, anisotropy and subsurface scattering. modo 201 also offers true micropolygon displacements and gigapoly rendering.




• Workflow Boosts – New workflow optimizations improve the "fluid interactive experience" with "dramatic" OpenGL acceleration and advanced OpenGL light and shading including per pixel shading, multi-texturing and realtime bump mapping, as well as extended user control over input, including complete mouse and keyboard remapping.

Luxolody also claims that modo is "the fastest, most advanced subdivision surface modeling environment available. Specifically designed to help 3D artists working on games, films, TV, print, architecture and Web productions, modo enables artists to accomplish more in less time."

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