New features in Lightmap Limited's custom HDR map creation software include: (more...)

You Can Do It! VFX has released Physics Tool for Maya. The plugin provides a simplified workflow for adding physics-based interpolation to character animations inspired by Richard Lico's techniques. Features include translation and rotation physics, the ability to bake object movement information to keyframes, offset time controls, an Euler filter, the ability to create locators on a selection and optionally bake that info to the locator, the ability to lock any object to a point in space,  and easy to reach constraints with and without offsets. Physics Tool costs €150. You can find out more on ycdivfx.com and see a demo on Vimeo.

To achieve its goal of releasing Blender 2.8 this year, the Blender foundation has launched the "Blender 2.8 Code Quest". The intention is to get the core development team - who are scattered around the world - together in Amsterdam to work for a minimum of 3 months at the Blender institute in Amsterdam. During this time they will work towards 3 goals: firstly and most importantly to get Blender 2.8 to the beta stage, secondly to produce a simplified configuration of Blender for occasional users, and finally to showcase Blender at this year's SIGGRAPH.  (more...)

VFX Supervisor Antoine Ponsart has released a breakdown video of Tetsuo Studio's title sequence for Futur Football Club, a sci-fi show for Canal+.  The animation was created using a simple Kinect setup for motion capture data which was processed using 3DS Max and Nuke to generate the final shots. Watch it on Vimeo.

Unity Technologies has announced the availability of 2D Game Kit, a free collection of art, gameplay elements, tools and systems to help users get started creating 2D games in Unity without the need to code. In addition to the resources, a sample game is provided as well as a getting started guide and reference documentation. Find out more on Unity's blog.

Texturing XYZ has updated its library with over 300 new human and creature packages, including more than 55 new cross polarised packs for human skin in different ethnicities and ages. Packs can include pre-made alphas, raw scans, seamless textures and in some cases mutations. Find out more on Texturing XYZ's website.

Happy Valentine’s Day is an award winning CGI short film written and directed by The Neymarc Brothers. The story unfolds in slow motion and reverse, showing "how the downfall of a couple triggers the birth of a new love between two strangers".  Watch it on Vimeo.