Munich, 03 July 2002 – Discreet presents 3ds max 5™: the new, comprehensive version of the professional
3D animation and modelling software. Designers worldwide use 3ds max to create captivating 3D animations. Artists in film, TV, game development and design visualisation can use the powerful new features to work in or create realistic environments and animate expressive characters more efficiently. With this new version, Discreet underlines its commitment to its customers: Consistently developing and supporting the best 3D tools in the industry. 3ds max 5 from Discreet will be launched in summer 2002.
“With 3ds max 5, we are not only responding to the constant evolution of the 3D industry – we are anticipating it,” explains Phillip Miller, Vice President of Discreet Animation Products. “3ds max 5 is aimed at designers with classical training and at the same time offers an innovative and productive solution – which the vast majority of 3D professionals prefer to other products.”
Discreet has integrated important new features into 3ds max 5 that meet designers’ needs for realism, character animation and productivity:
3D animations become even more lifelike. discreet’s 3ds max has recently been used in films such as “Minority Report” and “Panic Room”, in PC and console games such as “Spider-Man”, “Warcraft III” and “Never Winter Nights”, as well as in commercials, music videos and TV series.
New functions
3ds max 5 offers optimised global illumination methods for lifelike lighting, which are essential for photorealistic images or entire animations. Discreet’s reactor™ software is HAVOK’s interactive physics engine for soft and hard body dynamics integrated into 3ds max 5. In addition, the new version of 3ds max includes new texture mapping capabilities to accurately connect image data to mesh models.
Users working with 3ds max 5 software will benefit from greater control and sophistication in character animation – enabled by tools such as the Set Key system, Curve and Dopesheet Editor, and Merge Animation for customising character animations. Always popular for its productivity and flexibility, 3ds max 5 now includes backburner to enable efficient management of network rendering – including control of Discreet combustion™, desktop 3D compositing and paint seats. Networked animation groups can also work together in a LAN environment with the new licence options for 3ds max 5.
A complete list of the new features of Discreet 3ds max 5 can be found at the address below.
“With sales in the 3D market expected to reach $1.2bn by 2005, I am delighted to be joining a company like Discreet. The current and future product plans show a sense of purpose and a clear vision,” said Chris Fort, Discreet Manager of Animation Products and former Senior Product Manager of Maya. “With 3ds max 5, designers have a wide range of exceptional tools and features for the most demanding current and future production needs. Discreet customers can look forward to important innovations that will expand the artistic possibilities of all 3D designers.”
Prices and availability
3ds max 5 from Discreet will be available at a recommended retail price of €4,250 plus VAT. The upgrade price from 3ds max 4 to 3ds max 5 is 1,000 euros plus VAT.
