Extension 1 for Maya and 3ds Max

Autodesk has released Extension 1 for 3ds Max and announced it for Maya. Here is an overview of the resulting new features.
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Archive notice: This article was originally published on August 13, 2014. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.

3ds Max

Extension 1 for 3ds Max primarily offers new OpenSubdiv modelling possibilities for the workflow.

The highlight feature that Autodesk integrated on the basis of user feedback is support for the Alembic Interchange Format. In addition, the ShaderFX Visual Shader Editor has been revised so that assets can be shaded more easily and shaders can be exchanged better between 3ds Max, Maya and Maya LT. 

All further information about 3ds Max Extension 1 can be found here.

Maya Extension 1

Extension 1 is intended primarily to add features to Maya that increase overall productivity. It is not yet available to download for subscription customers. Here is an overview of the functions:

In addition, Extension 1 brings a new Color Management System and a Performance Profiler Tool for Maya 2015.

All further information about Maya 2015 can be found here.