Yes, we kick-off with some interesting rumors. We've heard a while ago that particles would be one of the new improvements after release 4. Discreet seems to have been working on the issue for quite a while (a possible point release version was expected with the new features) and now new details have surfaced. According to messages posted at Discreet's forum, Oleg Bayborodin, the developer of the Particle Studio plugin has been involved in programming the new particle functions for the next release of Max. Enhanced event-driven particle system or procedural rule-based particles? Will they come combined with an enhanced dynamics system? Place your bets... :-)

- Chaos Group's VRay 1.0 has been released. Features include fast raytracing, reusable irradiance maps, true HDRI support, motion blur with analytic sampling, caustics, area lights, etc. Check out Vrayrender.com for more.
- Exluna's Entropy 3.1 is available. New features of this Renderman-compliant renderer include HDRI, Depth of Field, significant performance improvements, and direct support for 3ds max. A demo version can be found at Exluna's website. Let's leave the lawsuit comments aside, but if you're interested in reading about it, check out Highend3d.com's Rendering Theory List.
- Cebas have updated their Finalrender software to version 1.1 with some bug fixes and many improvements. New features include optimizations for using GI in animations, optimized area light types, enhanced color shadow map, additional sub surface scattering features, etc. Check out Finalrender.com for the complete feature list.
- Integra's InSight has been updated to version 2.31. The patch includes support for references to lights, IESNA Photometric Type A and B and it also fixes problems with LIGHT LISTER. Check out Integra.jp for more information.
- Splutterfish's Brazil has been going through many point releases, growing in features and speed. A development roadmap and project status page was posted by Splutterfish more than a month ago, and Brazil is now advancing in its feature-complete status. A final release date has yet to be announced.

2d3 announced the launch of of Boujou 2. This new version of the camera-tracking software includes feature acquisition algorithms that identify features in regions of the frame obscured by low lighting levels, poor contrast or other shooting conditions and allow the continued tracking of image features even when they are obscured by atmospheric effects, sudden changes in lighting levels, or temporary obstructions. 2d3 also announced Boujou VE, a low-cost version for smaller studios.

Blackfeet have rigorously updated their 3D Browser for version 5.0 - available for only

Macromedia has begun shipping Flash MX, the latest version of its multimedia authoring tool. One interesting feature which brings this new version closer to HTML usability is the capability to use named anchors, so elements of a Flash presentation can be accessed through the browser's forward and back controls.
Read the whole PR for more information.

Discreet has begun shipping Combustion 2, the latest version of its unified paint, animation and 3D compositing software. The new release has been getting excellent reviews. Find out more about Combustion 2 at these articles by Digital Producer, CGChannel (login required) and Digital Animators.

Thomas Suurland has just published his latest project, a "New Beetle" with lots of images, an animation and a thorough "making of" section. Check it out!