Archive notice: This article was originally published on March 1, 2012. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
With the new character animation tools and built-in dynamics, 3D artists are said to be able to create movements better and manage the interaction of characters with external forces. The new character animation function is also said to offer a range for working on characters developed to different levels, from the easy-to-use posing tool through to the creation of fully developed character rigs.
The integrated Bullet Physics Engine is now standard in Modo and is said to create realistic simulations for mechanical and organic movements. Volumetric rendering, hair and skin shaders and Roundes Edge Control for hard-surface models are said to add new photorealistic rendering options in this version.
Modo 601 is said to include a comprehensive render pass system, and the Preview Renderer is now said to be usable for final image production because it is said to be able to render the image at the desired resolution and full quality. According to Luxology, the 3D paint system has been expanded with the Paint, Scale, Erase and Smooth Vertex Maps on Meshes functions.
Modo 601 is available for Windows and Mac OS X. It costs 1,195 dollars; the upgrade for Modo users is available for 395 dollars. A crossgrade to Modo for users of Maya, 3ds Max, Softimage, Houdini, Cinema 4D and LightWave 3D is possible for 795 dollars.
More detailed information can be found here: http://www.luxology.com
Image: Modo Image by Matt Cox
