Archive notice: This article was originally published on August 7, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
“Our goal is to bring digital assets as close as possible, even at an early stage, to the final form in which they will later appear on screen,” said Dave Cardwell, Mudbox product designer at Autodesk Media & Entertainment. “Working with models that are precisely developed from the outset leads to more efficient production processes and ultimately to higher-quality results. For example, at an early stage you want to know whether a particular character’s bushy eyebrows will cast shadows over the eyes. That is why Autodesk Mudbox 2009 now includes texture tools and context-aware display features, enabling 3D artists to create and refine even better 3D models.”
“The introduction of Autodesk Mudbox 2009 will revolutionize computer graphics tools and bring about a paradigm shift for designers and 3D artists,” said Habib Zargapour, Senior Art Director at Electronic Arts.
Dan Platt, 3D modeler at Disney Animation Studios, said: “Time is money. When you work with Autodesk Mudbox, you first encounter a user-friendly, intuitive interface. It lets you implement sculpting ideas directly and in fine detail without delay. In an industry where new ideas usually have to be realized within seemingly impossible deadlines, Mudbox has never let me down.”
New functional highlights of Autodesk Mudbox 2009:
Texture creation
A new set of production-ready tools makes it easier for artists to create multiple diffuse, bump, specular and gloss textures on their models using various high-resolution maps:
· Users can paint directly on the 3D model to add detail exactly where it is needed, regardless of UV distortion and surface complexity.
· Reference images can be painted onto the model from 2D screen space using the new projection brush.
· Users can transfer multiple maps to multiple UV tiles simultaneously and assign multiple UV tiles to a single mesh at the same time.
Improved performance
Mudbox is known for handling even models with very large datasets exceptionally well. The latest version offers even greater interactivity while working with higher-resolution meshes. Camera and brush responsiveness in particular has been improved, allowing artists to work interactively with 3D models subdivided to approximately ten million polygons across the entire mesh.
Context-aware display
Mudbox 2009 includes a range of rendering technologies that take full advantage of the OpenGL programming interface and today’s powerful graphics cards. The software provides a precise, context-aware environment for real-time evaluation while the digital asset is being manipulated. It can also produce high-quality interactive presentations for clients and art directors.
Improved interoperability with Autodesk Maya and Autodesk 3ds Max
Mudbox 2009 offers greater software interoperability with Autodesk Maya and Autodesk 3ds Max through better matching of normal and displacement maps created with Maya and 3ds Max.
User-friendly interface
Mudbox 2009 continues to feature a highly intuitive user interface that gives 3D artists the freedom to focus entirely on the artistic aspects of 3D modeling.
A complete list of the new features and enhancements in Autodesk Mudbox 2009 is available at http://www.autodesk.com/pr-mudbox.
Pricing and availability
Mudbox 2009 is expected to be available from October 2008. Mudbox 2009 supports Microsoft Windows XP Professional and Microsoft Windows Vista. Autodesk’s suggested retail price is USD 745*.
*International prices may vary.