Foundry announces Modo 17.0

Foundry has released Modo 17.0, introducing an overhauled architecture and several performance enhancements including speed improvements in direct modeling tools, MeshOps, animation playback, rig interaction, and rendering speeds.

The introduction of the Prime version of OctaneRender from OTOY in Modo 17.0 combines the capabilities of Modo with high-speed GPU rendering. This collaboration offers artists the fastest and most reliable GPU rendering options available. Additionally, the release brings significant architectural changes, the largest in Modo’s history, which accelerates viewport drawing and allows calculations to be pushed to background threads. This enhancement utilizes two threads simultaneously, with plans for future versions to support multiple background threads, taking full advantage of modern multi-threaded systems.

Modo 17.0 also introduces a native ARM version for Apple silicon, providing up to 50% speed improvements over the X86 version on Macs. Other noteworthy features include incremental tool updates to enhance modeling speed, faster and easier decal usage, PolyHaul enhancements, and improvements in Mesh Cleanup and Primitive Slice functionalities. Additionally, the Advanced Viewport has been upgraded to allow artists to toggle textures on or off directly, improving lighting interaction visualization.

However, it’s important to note that some features are not available in Modo 17.0 for Mac ARM due to compatibility issues with third-party technologies. This includes limitations on the IKinema full-body IK, pose tool, and retargeting functionalities, though these are accessible in the X86 emulated version of Modo 17.0.

For more information, visit Foundry’s website.