Archive notice: This article was originally published on April 13, 2011. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Vue xStream and Vue Infinite are the company’s flagships for creating natural 3D environments. Vue Infinite works as a standalone application, while Vue xStream works seamlessly with 3ds Max, Maya, Softimage, LightWave and Cinema 4D. According to e-on, both products can be integrated easily into existing production pipelines.
New Features
One new feature of Vue 9 xStream, for example, is Interactive Texture Placement: a new texture-manipulation function allows texture maps to be rotated and scaled interactively, directly in the mesh. Users can now place and rotate textures at any position and camera angle, and scale and preview the result in realtime.
Fast Hybrid Depth of Field: Vue 9.5 is equipped with a new hybrid 2.5D algorithm that allows Depth of Field (DOF) to be rendered four times faster than conventional DOF processes.
Advanced Cloud Control: editing, animation and cloud-rendering performance have been considerably improved, according to e-on. "Cloud Boundary Zones" now allow users to select specific cloud regions and cut out certain cloud areas. According to e-on, this makes it possible to create outstanding renderings of clouds floating above terrain or other scene objects.
Multiple UV Layers: models containing separate UV layers (for example diffuse, bump, specular, noise, dirt, etc.) are now supported to ensure better compatibility mti other 3D applications.
Atmospheric Relighting: the Vue relighting function has been expanded. Adjustments can now be made for all ambient and indirect lighting.
GPU Accelerated Anti-Aliasing: Vue now uses the GPU’s additional processor perforamnce to accelerate anti-aliasing of polygon meshes.
MDD File Format: Vue 9.5 now supports the MDD data format, which allows morphed meshes to be captured as exact geometry for every animation frame.
A complete listing of all innovations is available from the release date.
Prices and Availability
Vue 9.5 is free for all users with existing maintenance. Vue 9 users without maintenance who want to upgrade to Vue 9.5 should obtain maintenance and will then receive Vue 9.5 and the Vue 10 upgrade free of charge.
Vue 9.5 xStream and Vue 9.5 Infinite are expected to be available in the second quarter of 2011. Customers who purchased Vue 9 xStream or Infinite within 30 days after the release of Vue. 9.5 receive Vue 9.5 free of charge as part of the free 30-day maintenance. Further information at: http://www.e-onsoftware.com/maintenance
Vue 9.5 xStream will cost 1,790 US dollars, including one year of maintenance (1,495 US dollars without). According to the manufacturer, Vue 9.5 Infinite costs 1,190 US dollars with one year of maintenance, and 995 US dollars without. Standard one-year maintenance for xStream costs 395 US dollars; an extension costs 295 US dollars.
Upgrades from Vue 8.x xStream to Vue 9.5 xStream: 495 US dollars.
Upgrades from Vue 8.x Infinite to Vue 9.5 Infinite: 395 US dollars; upgrades from Vue 7 are also possible. Further pricing information will be available from the official release date.
Education licences (limited to one year) are available for Vue xStream and Infinite at 149 US dollars per year and workstation, or 99 US dollars per year and workstation respectively. Upgrades to Vue 9.5 are free for owners of a valid Educational licence of Vue 9.
Vue 9.5 xStream and Vue 9.5 Infinite are available in English for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7, as well as Mac OSX 10.5+ (Mac Intel only), in 32 and 64 bit.
Vue 9.5 xStream is compatible with the following renderers:
3ds Max 7 to 2012: MentalRay (integrated and MR satellites), V-Ray
Maya 6 to 2012: MentalRay (integrated and MR satellites), V-Ray, Maya Software
Softimage | XSI 5.1 to 2012: MentalRay (integrated and MR satellites)
Cinema 4D R9.6 to R12: native renderer
LightWave 9.3 to 10: native renderer
