Smith Micro has released a new version of its 3D character art and animation software, Poser 8. The application is designed for both professional and recreational use, and enables designers to develop and customize animations using 3D figures such as humans and animals, along with 3D objects and scene elements. Poser 8 delivers an improved user interface for simpler navigation and includes a user configurable work environment, as well as over 1GB of new content, some of which consists of eight new ready-to-pose 3D human characters, that all have different body types and ethnicities.

Poser 8 offers a two new customization and editing tools, a cross-body part-morph function that enables the users to create various detailed effects across multiple body parts, including muscle bulges, wounds and veins, along with a dependant parameter tool that can be used to create parameters in which objects can interact with each-other.

Users can also expect to see new lighting features and photo rendering capabilities, to accurately reproduce light and shadows and create more realistic looking images. Improvements have also been made that allow users to select each individual light that they plan to illuminate, inside the scene preview.

In addition, a content management system has been added to help users access the content collections, while providing searching capabilities by category and keyword within a library’s content. While searching users will also receive a list view and detailed pop-up previews. Tone mapping, normal mapping an exposure functions are included for controlling light within an image, as well as altering object surfaces. The new enhanced rigging system now allows users to designate problem areas on their characters, such as hips and shoulders.

Lastly, Poser 8 delivers a “wardrobe wizard” feature for re-using currently existing clotting assets, which can be re-fitted to the new character set. Along with wxPython support for the creation of advanced plug-in functionality that can be fully integrated within the interface.

Poser 8 is compatible with Mac OS X 10.4 or higher and is priced at $250 for new users, or $130 for current users looking to upgrade. Smith Micro is also offering Poser Pro users who upgrade to Poser 8, a chance to take part in the Poser Pro 2010 beta program, to be released in the future.