Now 64-bit, on sale for a limited time

Smith Micro has launched a new version of its popular 3D human and animal figure creation app Poser, now at version 9, and Poser Pro 2012. Both programs let users create and animate 3D characters, using 3GB of included content and 70 pre-set figures to customize. The new version offers Vertex Weight Map Rigging support, subsurface scattering and rendering performance improvements, with Poser Pro gaining Collada support and a fully 64-bit rendering engine.

Poser and Poser Pro now support Weight Map Rigging, allowing weight-mapped figures from other programs to be imported into Poser, which can use the existing weight map, convert to Poser's own Zones system or a hybrid between the two. Symmetry can be applied to bend and bulge weight maps -- which simulate more accurate joint use -- and tweak the maps using Poser Pro's updated Joint Editor. Existing Poser figures can be converted to use weight mapping, and new figures can have existing weight-map rigs moved onto them.

The new versions also feature subsurface scattering, making the creation of more realistic skin, wax and other materials easier. Both the Firefly rendering engine and OpenGL see substantive improvements, featuring better reflections, transparencies, depth of field, and motion blur -- along with better real-time previews of Spot, Point, Infinite and image-based lights, soft shadows, ambient occlusion and back-facing polygons.

Until the end of the month, Smith Micro is running a sale to celebrate the new releases, with Poser 9 now selling for $200 ($50 off the normal price) and Poser Pro 2012 selling for $400 ($100 off the normal price). Existing Poser users can upgrade to Poser 9 for $100 and Poser Pro users can upgrade to the 2012 edition for $160 until September 30th. Poser users who wish to upgrade to Poser Pro can do so for $200. A free 30-day trial of both products is also available.

by MacNN Staff