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John Martini and Andru Phoenix have released a new animation tool which allows users to easily and randomly apply animation to a selection of objects. Controller Randomizer 1.0  is included in the latest update of the Animators Tool Kit, the suite of tools for animation. Watch it in action here on Vimeo.

FXGuide has posted an interview with Framestore, discussing the visual effects they created for the film Gravity. You can read the full interview over at FXGuide.

Unfortunately, just after three years of being open, Pixar Canada is shutting down. According to Canadian news media The Province, a Disney spokesperson explained the situation saying the decision was made to refocus efforts under one roof. Read the full article on Variety.

The extension for 3DS Max / Design 2014 has been released and is now available on Autodesk's subscription center, in the Downloads->Product Enhancements section. The extension requires the recently released Service Pack 3, which is included. New features include Point Cloud support, Python scripting, and Stereo Camera. You can read more details on the release on Autodesk.

Check out the official trailer for Disney Animation Studios' upcoming big-screen comedy adventure, based on Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen" fairy tale.  The film is directed by Chris Buck ("Tarzan," "Surf's Up") and Jennifer Lee (screenwriter, "Wreck-It Ralph"), and produced by Peter Del Vecho ("Winnie the Pooh", "The Princess and the Frog"). Watch it here on Youtube.

Autodesk has released a few videos on their Youtube Channel showcasing how to solve complex production challenges using 3DS Max Entertainment Creation Suite 2014. The video explains new and existing capabilities which include animation retargeting, stereo camera, point cloud, perspective match, mParticles, PFlow and CAT toolsets. Additionally see cross product workflows in conjunction with 3DS Max. Watch it here on Youtube.

John Martini and Andru Phoenix announced a new animation tool that allows users to easily manipulate easing tangents and create animation between selected keys based on a curve. Train 1.0 is included in the latest update of the Animators Tool Kit, the suite of tools for animation. Watch a demo video on Vimeo.

John Martini has released a new tool called Pipelicious. This tool gives artists the ability to quickly create pipe systems, square or round, using angled or straight pieces. Watch the demonstration video on Vimeo to see all the features in action. The tool is available for download on John Martini's website.

The team at Fabric have released two new videos showing their latest developments on DoF and Motion Blur inside of Fabric Engine RTR (Real-Time Renderer). Both videos can be seen on the Fabric Engine Vimeo channel: Video 1, Video 2.  To find out more about Fabric Engine and the RTR visit Fabric Engine's website.

The team at Fabric Engine has released three videos demonstrating the latest developments of their real-time renderer in 3DS Max. Fabric Engine's RTR is an interactive viewport renderer that incorporates high-end game engine rendering technology, allowing to use several orders of magnitude more geometry and lights, as well as handling post-effects and HDR lighting. (more...)