New features in Allegorithmic's texturing tool include: (more...)

Video Copilot has released a free Star Wars model pack designed to work inside of Element 3D for After Effects. The pack includes an X-Wing, BB-8, Lightsabers, and more. You can download the model pack from the Video Copilot website.

Madrid-based Romera studio is sharing a video mapping reel, showcasing quality work they've produced through the years. The buildings shown in the reel were 3D scanned, cleaned and prepared for animation. The studio uses 3DS Max, Maya, Cinema 4D, Houdini, V-Ray and After Effects as its main tools. The usual resolution used for the projects is 8K and render times are BIG. Several tools for custom cloud rendering have been developed internally to manage these render times. Besides video mapping, Romera produces audiovisual projects for film, TV and various events. Watch the reel on Vimeo.

A great lava simulation by Arsen Margaryan, created with Houdini. Watch it on Vimeo.

Jordan-based SimLab has released the latest version of its software for transferring 3D models between CAD-related applications, scene assembly, rendering and interactive 3D PDF creation. New features include: improved UI, 3D object library, mesh decimation, composite path creation (used in animation and simulation), sun and shadow study, billboard support in 3D PDF and WebGL, etc. More on Simlab Soft's website.

VFX artist Lewen Hu has posted an ice blast system he's been developing using Houdini. Watch it on Vimeo.

The latest version of Autodesk's free collection of scripts and plugins for Maya is now available for Maya 2016 Extension 2, bringing a two new modeling tools ("Curve to Ribbon" and "Curve to Tube") as well as a new "Weight Editor" UI for managing and refining skin weight values. More on Autodesk's Area.

The Foundry has announced that the upcoming 10.1 update for Modo will introduce a procedural modeling system that will significantly improve the software's modeling workflow. According to The Foundry's Shane Griffith, the main goal of the upcoming 10.1 release is to build a better modeling stack approach within Modo. The new system is being developed to support presets, third-party development and a nodal relationship graph as well. (more...)