Maya 2012 to bring viewport, sequencing upgrades
updated 05:40 pm EST, Tue March 1, 2011
Shares enhancements with 3ds Max
In tandem with the announcement of 3ds Max 2012, Autodesk has additionally revealed Maya 2012. The modeling, effects and animation suite is getting several improvements, such as a new viewport with fullscreen rendering options like motion blur and depth-of-field. The viewport has also gained a new API, batch rendering functions and component and manipulator displays.
Sequencing enhancements include the Sequencer Playlist, which uses a spreadsheet to reorder clips, alter in- and out-points, and deal with camera assignments. The sequencing tools now also support multi-track audio, and exporting multiple shots as a single sequence for game engines or cinematics.
Among further upgrades are node-based render passes, and motion trails which are editable within the viewport. Four camera rigs and four pre-rigged models (two cars and two planes) have been added to craft animation tools; as in 3ds Max, meanwhile, 80 Substance smart textures and filters are being bundled. NVIDIA's PhysX acceleration is used to handle rigid-body simulations in the viewport, as well as shattering in Pixelux's Digital Molecular Matter plugin.
Maya 2012 is scheduled to ship in April for $3,495. An upgrade from 2011 will cost $1,745, while attaching an Autodesk Subscription with Gold Support will carry a $895 pricetag. Companies picking up Entertainment Creation Suite Premium 2012 will get Maya in a collection with Softimage, Mudbox and MotionBuilder. The combined package is being priced at $6,495.
