2018 has been an exciting year with the successful launch of V-Ray for formZ. 2019 is looking even more exciting as we anticipate big formZ releases next year.
For now though, take a look at the discounts we have running for formZ to the end of the year:
25% off new licenses and additional seats for site licenses including formZ Pro and formZ Jr
15-35% off upgrades from older versions
V-Ray for formZ has also been treated with a great discount
formZ is available now at CAD Software Direct. If you have any questions at all, please contact us on sales@cadsoftwaredirect.com
If you missed the release of V-Ray for Unreal, watch this webinar to get up to speed with setting up your project and moving your V-Ray data into Unreal. Keep watching to find out the simple techniques which ensure your projects look as good as possible in Unreal.
Altair has recently announced the acquisition of SIMSOLID, simulation technology for fast, accurate, and robust structural simulation without the need for geometry simplification, cleanup, or meshing. Altair Engineering is a leading provider of enterprise-class engineering software including solidThinking Evolve and many more.
SIMSOLID was founded from one simple question: “Why does the geometry used in the Design and Structural Simulation worlds have to be so different?”
SIMSOLID is structural analysis software developed specifically for design engineers. It eliminates geometry simplification and meshing, the two most time consuming and expertise extensive tasks done in traditional FEA.
Moreover, SIMSOLID can analyse complex parts and large assemblies not practical with traditional FEA and do it efficiently on a desktop class computer. Both fast and accurate, SIMSOLID controls solution accuracy using a unique multi-pass adaptive analysis.
As of November 1st 2018, V-Ray for Cinema 4D, created by LAUBlab, is an official member of the Chaos Group family.
Starting now through March 15, 2019, owners of V-Ray for Cinema 4D 3.6, or earlier, are entitled to a free license for the Chaos Group version (3.7). This license will include all updates, and it expires on January 15, 2020.
V-Ray 3.7 for Cinema 4D has the same V-Ray feature set as 3.6, is compatible with Cinema 4D R18–20 and uses Chaos Group Licensing.
All migration requests to V-Ray 3.7 for Cinema 4D will be processed through a form on Chaos Group’s website which can be found here:
The KeyShot 8 Scattering Medium brings you the ability to create a variety of appearances for your scenes and materials. Learn how to create fog, smoke, light rays, and incredible materials quickly with this unique material type. Sign up soon as space is limited!
What’s New in KeyShot 8?
There’s a lot to KeyShot 8 with new features like scattering media, displacement, and image styles. Our What’s New in KeyShot page breaks down the features and improvements with examples of what you can do.
Artist Feature: Kenny Carmody
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Kenny Carmody is 3D character artist in the film industry using KeyShot for everything from presenting concepts to final imagery, and using it along the way to dial in lighting. See how he uses KeyShot to create visuals and why it’s such an important tool in the process.
Liquids in Glass
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Rendering liquids in glass can be challenging, but with KeyShot 8 it couldn’t be more simple. So what works best when setting up the model? And, what are the best settings for rendering realistic liquid? Take a look at what you need to consider to achieve the best results when rendering liquid in glass.
KeyShot Quick Tip: Scattering Medium
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Before you see how far you can take a scene using scattering in the webinar, check out this quick overview on the new feature and how to quickly create a volume of realistic fog.
The fastest, most powerful software for real-time 3D rendering and animation brings you even more ways to create amazing shots. KeyShot 8 provides the advanced features and flexibility you need to take your visuals to the next level.
With new features like displacement, volumetrics, cutaway, images style and more, it’s a release focused on boosting your workflow, elevating your visuals, enhancing your experience and extending your reach. This is KeyShot 8 – tools that put the emphasis on the flow and less on the work to both save time to keep you creating.
There are a lot of great new features in KeyShot 8 to help you throughout the process of creating visuals whether it’s creating quick concepts or generating those final product renders. We’ve picked five to highlight for you that will have the biggest impact on what you’re now able to create in KeyShot.
Image Styles
Image Styles is a new feature that allows you to make photographic adjustments to the KeyShot scene in real-time prior to or after rendering. Multiple Image Styles may be created and added to a list for a range of different styles that can then be used in KeyShot Studios. The Photographic option includes adjustments for Tone-Mapping, Curve control, Color adjustments, Background color override, and the ability to apply a Frontplate.
Cutaway
Cutaway is a new approach to creating advanced cutaway graphics which allows you to use parts and 3D primitives to cutaway geometry by assigning the Cutaway material to the object. The Cutaway material also allows you to add and define the Cutaway Caps as a shaded color, the same material as the object to be cut or as a custom material. Additionally, all cutaways may be animated.
Scattering Media
KeyShot now supports the creation of scattering media that allows you to simulate particle scattering and volumetrics such as smoke and fog. This can be used in conjunction with physical lights for visualizing rays/beams of light. With this, you have the option to apply a Density Texture, and apply it just as you would to any other material. Additionally, you can extend the control of the scattering with full support for OpenVDB files applied to the Density Texture as a Volume Map.
Geometry Nodes
KeyShot 8 introduces an entirely new approach to working with geometry in KeyShot. Through the Material Graph, the advance material editor in KeyShot Pro, you now have three new types of geometry nodes (shaders) to modify the geometry of an object with displacement, bubbles or flakes. The Geometry Nodes include:
Displace – Displace allows you to modify the geometry through the use of displacement maps (textures). Displacement maps define the topology of a material similar to a bump map but instead of simulating the height of a surface it actually modifies it.
Bubbles – Bubbles allows you to modify the geometry by automatically adding spherical cavities within an object. Control is provided over bubble size, variation, density, and limit. Additionally, a texture can be used to define the density of the bubbles.
Flakes – Flakes allows you to modify the geometry by turning any object into a three-dimensional volume of square or spherical flakes. Control is provided over flake shape, size, variation, density, and limit. Additionally, a texture can be used to define the density of the flakes.
KeyShot Viewer
KeyShot Viewer is a new, feature-rich application to compliment design reviews, make presentations more interactive, and increase the ability to collaborate. With it, you can open, view and interact with a KeyShot scene in real-time using mouse, touch, pen or stylus to explore the scene or change materials and lighting. You can create Studios and Configurators from within KeyShot for use in KeyShot Viewer as well.
Are You Ready For KeyShot 8?
If you’re a KeyShot 7 customer on maintenance, or purchased KeyShot 7 after August 15th, you can upgrade to KeyShot 8 today using your current serial code. If you would like to purchase KeyShot 8 or upgrade your current KeyShot license, please visit CAD Software Direct or contact us today.
Register for the “What’s New in KeyShot 8?” Webinar
See the new features like displacement mapping, materials with embedded flakes and bubbles, volumetric materials including volume caustics, liquid interfaces, interactive cutaways, interactive image color and intensity curve adjustments, material ways for advanced product configurations, and much more. We expect this to fill up fast and space is limited, so register quickly!
Vectorworks are returning again this year with Teaser Tuesday! Here’s your chance for a sneak peek at updates to come in Vectorworks 2019. For the first in the series, here’s a Vectorworks 2019 update that will help you save time and make your workflow even smoother.
Most design files end up with more classes and layers than one can easily manage. In Vectorworks 2019, steps have been taken to increase efficiency by adding the ability to search, filter, and add tags to layers and classes. This means you can instantly find what you’re looking for by typing in a keyword search or using filters to display class and layers based upon specific properties. Watch the video below to see the full capabilities:
“As the amount of data in BIM files increases, it gets harder to find and manage classes and layers,” said Chad Hamilton, AIA, LEED AP, Principal Architect at Hamilton + Aitken Architects. “The new layer and class filters help sort through this information so we can quickly find what we need. This is a huge improvement, especially for offices doing more complex projects.”
It’s that time again and we’re close to the release of Cinema 4D R20!
Cinema 4D Release 20 marks a huge leap in technology, introducing massive new frameworks that put tremendous power in your creative hands. The possibilities are endless, your creativity is unleashed.
Maxon, creators of Cinema 4D, promise this will be a huge release with very exciting new features. Make sure you read to the end of this one too – we’ve got a great deal you don’t want to miss.
Node-Based Materials
From simple references to complex shaders, you can build extraordinary materials in a node-based overview. Complex effects created via nodes can be wrapped as assets and delivered as simple materials, with just the necessary parameters exposed. Release 20’s node-based materials have the power to change the way you work, whether you directly create amazing shaders through nodes or simply make use of assets shared by those who do.
MoGraph Fields
Use more than just simple shapes to control effectors, deformers, weights and more. Fields will revolutionize the MoGraph feature set, making it easy to create complex effects by combining falloffs. You’ll never use Cinema 4D the same way again.
CAD Data Import
Say goodbye to conversion woes – most popular CAD formats can be imported with a simple drag-and-drop. Get the models you need, with the quality you want thanks to the robust and flexible import of STEP, Solidworks, JT, Catia and IGES files.
Volume Modeling
Better Booleans are only the beginning – create models by combining shapes, splines, particles and noises. It’s all thanks the power of voxels and OpenVDB. Import and export VDB and even use volumes to control MoGraph effects.
ProRender Enhancements
The next generation of native GPU rendering is here – and it’s packed with production-level features to help you get the job done. Render sub-surface scattering, motion blur and multi-passes on your super-charged Nvidia PC or your state-of-the-art iMac.
CORE TECHNOLOGY
Release 20 continues a push towards modern core technology, with substantial API changes and further development on a new modeling framework.
MULTI-INSTANCES
Manage millions of objects in Cinema 4D’s view by simply switching the Cloner to Multi-Instance mode.
MOTION TRACKER
The power of the Motion Tracker is tamed through key workflow enhancements.
Until August 31st 2018 – Full products, sidegrades and upgrades are discounted by the cost of a Maxon Service Agreement (MSA).
Place your order for Cinema 4D R19 now to get the discount, and you’ll be upgraded by your FREE 1 Year MSA to R20 when it releases! Please note that short term licenses do not upgrade to R20 short term. You will be able to upgrade a short term license to the latest version in the usual way when R20 is available.
We don’t have a date for you just yet for R20, but check in with our blog, Facebook or Twitter and you’ll be the first to know.
This month we bring you another workshop from KeyShot RenderWorld 2018! Learn how to use KeyShot Animation from path animations to camera and studio switch events to create the interactive visuals you need.
Rocky Mountain Bicycles uses KeyShot to communicate and iterate on detail throughout the design and engineering process, creating visuals to get product to market faster. Learn more about how they use KeyShot.
He has a range of skill and is able to apply his craft across a range of disciplines with an amazing talent for creatures and characters. Learn more about how he uses KeyShot for concept and game design.
The latest KeyShot for 3ds Max plugin with support for 3ds Max 2019 is now available. Download the latest version for import, export and LiveLinking capability between 3ds Max and KeyShot.
Learn more about the KeyShot Pro feature that provides an iterative, non-destructive workflow to explore colour, material and finish options on a product.
Miss our last webinar? If you’ve ever had a question about material settings or which options to use when creating final renders, this is a must-see webinar.
Shaderlight is an interactive and intuitive 3D rendering plug-in for SketchUp that enables anyone to transform a SketchUp model into a photorealistic render.
Now with even more simple to use features, Shaderlight gives you even more control over how you render your SketchUp models, with the ability to animate your SketchUp scenes and render to the cloud. Shaderlight fits seamlessly with your workflow so you don’t have to be a SketchUp rendering software expert to get great results.
