CG news

ZBRushCoreMini 2021 is a free, stripped-down version of ZBrush, providing "artists of all ages" with an introduction to the popular digital sulpting software. The update adds support for the ZBrush Vector Displacement Mesh (VDM) system, allowing complex 3D elements, including entire body parts, to be added to a model in a few clicks. Other changes include a new real-time occlusion system, designed to bring out finer

Pulldownit 5.0 has got new visual workflows for controlling where the mesh fractures and also new parameters for keeping the fragments formed by cracks on the surface within the boundaries, so that multiple delaminations from the surface can be controlled. The performance of the plug-in has been improved: the crack solver is now "at least twice as fast" and fracture operations create lighter meshes for modelling.

400 HDRI environment and sky maps by Grzegorz Wronkowski are presented in 2048x1024 resolution. These images are presented in EXR format, most of them are exterior, there are both rural and urban environments in a wide range of lighting conditions. In addition to the free 2k versions, commercial versions of the images are available in high resolution, with a width resolution typically up to 20,000 pixels,

Zoo Tools Pro 2.5 is designed to simplify everyday modelling, texturing, lighting and animation tasks. The animation toolset has been updated in the release, adding new tools for baking, timing changes and animation randomisation. Developed by former Weta Digital and Framestore animator Andrew Silke, formerly called C3dC, Zoo Tools Pro 2 is a modular Python-based Maya tool structure. The framework includes over 40 tools, from workflow

RailClone 4.3 is the new version of iToo Software's parametric modeling plugin in 3ds Max. The update improves the performance of complex models - RailClone objects now estimate "up to 500%" faster and a "Deformation" tab has also been added, to the "Transform" operator, to override deformation settings for multiple segments. V-Ray users have received support for the new VRayMultiSubTex and VRayUVWRandomiser cards in V-Ray 5,

Silhouette 2021 is now available as a plug-in for After Effects, Premiere Pro and OFX-compatible compositing applications such as Nuke, replacing the stripped-down Silhouette Paint plug-in. New features include the Lens Correction node, new rotary shape editing tools, the ability to add annotations to projects for snapshot review and node graph improvements. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKvVy6NboLg   As noted above, the software is now available as a plug-in with

The Clerisse 5.0 update introduces a new unified architecture for the two versions of the software; we will now be able to use the structural improvements developed for the high-performance version of Clarisse Builder in the Clarisse iFX version. Other important changes include a new USD exporter, new clothing tools, a new Arnold-compatible standard material, and a "revolutionary" new lighting mechanism that allows any scene geometry

Together with Epic Games, Artstation will reportedly continue to expand opportunities for authors to showcase their talents and artwork. ArtStation will continue to operate as an independent branded platform, while working closely with the Unreal Engine team. By joining forces, the ArtStation and Unreal Engine teams will be able to empower the creative community with enhanced tools, resources and connections. Starting today, the commission fee will

Nekki's Cascadeur 2021.1 has a new AutoPhysics tool, which automatically creates a physically accurate version of an existing animation and allows the use of an AI-based AutoPosing tool for any humanoid character. With this release, Cascadeur has officially moved into early access, with two subscription plans introduced by Nekki, even though the software remains free for anyone earning less than $100,000 per year. Originally developed by