Autodesk Maya 8.5 ships

Autodesk today announced Autodesk Maya 8.5, the latest version of its Maya 3D animation, modeling and rendering software. Version 8.5 supports Intel-based Macs as a Universal Binary, offers industry-standard Python scripting with improved workflows and development productivity, delivers new capabilities for character animation; and features the new Maya Nucleus unified simulation framework: Maya Nucleus allows artists to create elements that interact, in a 3D animation, with other dynamic objects such as fluids, cloth and rigid bodies. Maya 8.5 includes Maya nCloth, which is the first module of Maya Nucleus. With Maya nCloth, artists can quickly direct and control a range of simulations, including cloth, plastic, metal and other materials. A unique air-pressure model enables artists to use any geometry -- whether a closed, sealed volume such as an inner tube, or an open volume such as a balloon -- to create an inflatable object with internal and external pressure.

Python, a popular open-source programming language, helps accelerate facility-specific custom script development and plug-in prototyping, extending and automating Maya production pipelines. Python scripting offers a powerful alternative to Maya software's native scripting language, MEL, while featuring the same deep level of integration with the Maya command engine.

Now shipping, Maya Complete is $2000, while Maya Unlimited is $7,000. Maya Complete 8.5 includes toolsets for modeling, animation, visual effects, rendering, painting and toon shading as well as Maya API/SDK, Python and MEL Scripting and tutorials/documentation. Maya Unlimited adds Fluid Effects, Fur, nCloth, Live, and Hair modules.

by MacNN Staff