SIGGRAPH: Fresh 3ds Max plug-ins from Turbosqid

Archive notice: This article was originally published on August 2, 2006. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.

At its Siggraph booth, Turbosquid is presenting a number of new or updated plug-ins from various manufacturers for 3ds Max.

There are minor updates from nPowerSoftware for Power NURBS, Power Solids and Power Translators, relating to improved import and bug fixes.

Cubicspace is showing rtre 2.0, which allows a real-time display of even more complex scenes than before from Max and VIZ. Improved texture support (also for procedural materials), new navigation options and a revised interface are intended to make it easier to get started.

A real highlight is fumeFX from Afterworks, the manufacturer that already created a 3ds Max classic with AfterBurn. The software previewed at the trade show allows the realistic simulatating of fire and smoke as well as their interaction with the scene. Because of the physical simulation, gravity, temperature, pressure and external influences deliver very real results, as can be seen in the videos on the manufacturer’s website. The open architecture allows adaptation to complex pipelines. However, fumeFX is not expected to be available until the end of 2006. It remains to be hoped that, unlike Chaosgroup’s AURA, it does not remain merely a years-long announcement.

Further links:

• Turbosquid
  nPower Software
  Cubispace rtre 2.0
  Afterworks fumeFX