Archive notice: This article was originally published on February 11, 2013. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
One feature added by the current extension release is an mParticles module for the MassFX system, which, according to Autodesk, makes it easier to recreate real-world particle effects. By equipping mParticels with presets and two easy-to-use particle modifiers for standard mesh objects optimised for MassFX, impressive simulations are intended to be created with little effort.
The particle toolset can be assembled by users themselves through the new Data Manipulation Toolset feature and 27 different sub-operators. According to Autodesk, particle-simulation results can be saved as presets or as a standard action in the Particle View depot.
After the extension is installed, two new cache operators for the particle toolset offer the option of precalculating and saving particle simulations on the hard drive separately from the Max scene file. Through this selective operation, artists can therefore decide for themselves which particle-movement data they want to cache.
Autodesk subscription customers can download the 3ds Max extension here.
At Siggraph 2012, Autodesk already presented the extension release for 3ds Max 2013 in a presentation lasting around one hour:
