Blur Studio has released BSPack019, a new collection of all their maxscripts, including many updated scripts and a bunch of new scripts. A lot of code has changed since the last release, so they ask you to definately send bug reports if you find something that doesn't work. The Pack is available here.

MSNBC has an article about The Institute of Creative Technologies at USC, and their work in computer generated simulations and interactivity.

Mankau space-time solutions have developed a new plugin, "PowerStamper". You can get more details at their website.

Kaydara announced the availability of FiLMBOX 3.0, the the latest version of its real-time motion capture and NLA editing/blending tool. FiLMBOX 3.0 supports Windows, SGI IRIX, Red Hat Linux, and Apple OS X platforms and works in conjunction with most major 3D software packages. Read on to find out about new features.   [ more... ]

Industry professionals give their views on the current and future state of the CG industry. Read the article at Digital Animators.

The Living Forest, the first 3D feature film produced in Europe, will premiere in Spain on August 3, 2001. DYGRA films, a small production studio based in La Coruña (Spain), has worked hard to create a 3D animated film of excellent visual quality while concentrating also on making a captivating movie with a solid script. A trailer for the movie can be downloaded from the official website.   [ more... ]

Perhaps now, after close to a year, Joe Alter will finally come true on 'his' MAX port of Shave and a Haircut - as Splutterfish has been chosen to do the honors :
"July 27, 2001, Venice, California -- SplutterFish, LLC and Joe Alter Inc. have teamed up to port "Shave and a Haircut" (TM), the acclaimed hair-creation package by Joe Alter Inc, to 3ds max (TM), Discreet's top-selling animation software"

Paris-based Virtools announced the release of Virtools Dev 2.0 (previously known as NeMo Dev). Virtools Dev lets you create interactive applications by assembling behaviors (more than 400 are provided) in an intuitive graphic user interface. These reusable "behavior building blocks" accelerate the production cycle and allow you to elaborate on previous projects. An SDK is also provided to program your own behaviors. Virtools Dev imports textures, video, audio and 3ds max files (among other 3D formats). Visit Virtools' gallery of applications to see some examples.

Houdini 5 will be shown at Side Effect's SIGGRAPH 2001 meeting. Also of interest, WETA Digital will show the work they did for Lord of the Rings using Houdini. Read the press release for more information.

Read the whole P.R.

Check out Lightman's website.

Alignment Tools
3ds max 4 character animation in-depth tutorial (Organic modeling, bones and IK, etc.).
Mapping Techniques with 3D Studio MAX
3D Camera Techniques
Modeling a screw (French)
Modeling, mapping and rendering an ice cube (French)

A new version of the connection script between 3ds max 4 and VirtuaLight, the GI renderer written by Stéphane Marty is online. It includes new materials, the ability to render your scene with Vlight and an area light feature.

Integra's InSight GI renderer has been updated to version 2.30 (beta), and is available for both Max 3 and Max 4. New features include multhithreading, fuzzy reflections, support of RPC plugins and more (read the release notes for more info). InSight can be tested for a one month evaluation period, go and download now.

3DVF interviews Doug Chiang, the Design Director for the Star Wars prequels. (French version also available.)

3DGate reviews Amorphium Pro.

cometTrackview 1.01 by Michael Comet - Trackview script based on Neil Blevins original 'trackviewReady' script. It opens up a trackview window of your selected objects with tracks pre-expanded for you and curves showing up ready for editing. Makes a great macroscript or toolbar button.
Key Manager 4.0 by Michael Comet - This is a version of the Key Manager script originally by Randy Kreitzman that's been modified  to work with TCB controllers. It allows you to change the tangent type, ease in/out and TCB settings of multiple keys at the same time. New 'cometSmooth' feature takes keys that are able to have tangent handles, and adjust the handles so that things are smooth, but not overshooting, or with peaks.

Max was used to create many of the CG effects in the movie. Read the interview at CGChannel.

Digimation announced the release of Facegen, a plugin for 3ds max 3 and 4 that lets users generate faces parametrically. Facegen can create cartoonish aliens as well as realistic human heads with just a few mouse clicks and is useful for quickly generating an entire population of unique models. FaceGen also comes with a set of Custom Mesh components that let you add among other things a skeletal structure beneath the modified model that will fit perfectly. This takes the pain out of trying to match eyes, teeth and tongue to a model, since the custom components are aware of the surrounding mesh and will align as expected.

Kelseus CLOTH has been updated, no word yet on what's new in version 1.1. Kelseus CLOTH now available (for a limited period) for $249 Dollars. "Come and see Kelseus CLOTH at  - Booth 961 and hear about some new and unique features shortly to be introduced into Kelseus CLOTH."

Nueart Pictures website has been updated with images and a downloadable trailer from their upcoming film 'The Icarus Trees'.   [ more... ]

Scott Kirvan, co-developer of the Brazil renderer has updated his .plan at Splutterfish.com with word that another public test will be made available soon (as soon as the stability of the new update is at the same level as the previous 0.1.4 build). Among the many features expected in the new release is faster rendering. He also mentions that Splutterfish is concurrently developing other new software for 3ds max.

Researchers at Stanford University's Computer Graphics Lab have published a paper that describes a model for efficiently simulating subsurface light scattering in translucent materials. According to the authors, the BSSRDF (Bidirectional Surface Scattering Reflectance Distribution Function) model can be used to reproduce the optical properties of a variety of materials that are translucent to some degree, including milk, marble, paper and skin and is also useful for eliminating the traditional hard computer graphics look (see comparison). Take a look at Henrik Wann Jensen's image gallery for more sample pictures rendered with this model.

Someone has been kind enough to recompile the Doors and Windows plugins that shipped with Max R3.x, and which Discreet left out of 3ds max 4. I have no idea who it was, but thanks a lot!

"ArchVision has posted the RPC Plug-in version 2.1 for 3ds max on [their] site."
  [ more... ]

MergeAnim by Discreet - Utility for merging complex animation between scenes. The script can be found in the "scripts/samples" directory after installing the 4.2 patch.
SplineIK by Michael Comet - This script allows you to choose a spline path, (open or closed), and generates a bone chain along the path for skinning. Similar to Maya's splineIK system. This pretty much will allow you to do tails or dinosaur type necks in max 4, without all that weird spline stuff that happens if you skin directly to a spline.
Space lights 1.2 by Julien Blervaque - This script is used to simulate, as much as possible, a global illumination. Based on the SkyDome script by Borislav Petrov, it allows you to choose an object that will be used as a light emmiter. This object will hold, on each of its vertices the lights with the settings you asked for. The light colors and intensity depends either on the value of the softselection you made on the vertices, or on the diffuse map used by the supporting object.

Read the article at Digitalanimators.com.

Some great tutorials and sample files on setting up characters in Max:
Character rigging (R4)
How to setup a cartoony character for animation (Character Setup Rig sample file - R4)
3D Studio MAX - IK Setup (R3)
Advanced IK system (sample file - R3)

Some great new images at Raph.com. Check 'em out!

InsideCG reviews Vue d'Esprit 4 scenery animation and rendering software.
Creative Mac reviews After Effects 5.

Painter 7, the natural media painting and image editing program will be the first application launching under Corel's new Procreate line of software. New features in Painter 7: Watercolor technology enables users to control the wetness and evaporation rate of the paint, Liquid Ink layer mimics the viscosity of a thick, gluey medium like ink or paint and interface enhancements include new palette tools, sliders, and more. Painter 7 is scheduled for availability in August 2001.   [ more... ]

Read all at : http://www.pangolin.com/LD2000/lc-max_overview.htm

If you've experienced problems running Christopher Subagio's HDRdomeLight script after applying Max's 4.2 patch then check the version of your core.dll file (in your root Max directory, click with the right mouse button over the file, select properties -> version), which should end with a .86. If this is not the case then download the latest patch (again) from Discreet's website and apply it to your Max directory.

SensAble Technologies announced the availability of FreeForm V4.0 touch-based modeling system. Version 4.0 includes over 60 new features, enhancements and improvements. Check out the gallery at Sensable.com to see some very nice 3D models created with FreeForm.   [ more... ]

VFXPro has a great article on the realistic reproduction of complex human characters for "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within".

Polymodeling an Alien
Subdivision Tools in MAX 4 - Part 1 (Beginner)
Real World Case Study: MSNBC millennium animation (sample chapter from 3ds max 4 Media Animation)
Understanding the Basics of Discreet Combustion (Beginner)
Realflow and Realwave video tutorials
Liquid Logo (Realflow - updated tutorial)

CGW reports on different VR technologies that make indoor exercising fun, such as FitCentric's NetAthlon which enables users of stationary fitness equipment (such as bikes, treadmills, rowers, etc.) to participate in competitive races among people located in different parts of the world via the Internet.

CGW reviews Adobe Atmosphere Web 3D authoring software.
CGW also has two short reviews, one of Maya 4 and another of Cinema 4D XL.

CGW has an article on how CG effects were used to build virtual sets for Spielberg's latest movie, A.I. CGW also has an interesting article on Disney's latest animated feature: "Atlantis". "This was the first time [the studio] wanted to make a hybrid movie... Only two sequences in Atlantis have no 3D elements."

A couple of Brazil tutorials courtesy of 3DVF.com:
Simulating HDRI in Brazil (French)
Global Illumination in Brazil (French)

3D Art Review is a very special site that brings us one step closer to perceiving 3D as a true art form. It provides us with criticism of 3D-generated work from an aesthetic perspective, drawn from art history and traditional media while stressing the importance of personal work. Kudos to the (Brazilian?) artists behind the site for this much needed space on the web!

Michael Duffy has released an extended version of the Editable Poly modifier for max 4 that allows edge extruding. Extruding interior edges is not a valid operation for EPoly, so those edges are deselected before the edge cloning. In other words, this only works on border edges using shift-left-drag to extrude the selected edges.   [ more... ]

Absolute Software have released a beta version of their RayMax renderer for Max 3.1. Up to now, the beta was only available for max 4. You can download the plugin here.

Dieter Morgenroth has released an updated version of his TileMagic plugin which fixes a crash that was happening when using the material browser.

Weld Halves by Herman Saksono - Helps you to weld vertices around your polygon model seam. Requires Lazlo Sebo's Meshtools.
Draw poly 0.01 by Herman Saksono - Lets you place vertices on a grid or surface, and automatically turn them into a polygon as soon as the right mouse button is clicked. Vertices must be placed in anti-clockwise direction.
csPolyTools 1.0 by Christopher Subagio - A collection of scripts to aid in polymodelling, all R4.2 only. Requires Meshtools. New functions provided: Slide, Dissolve, Untangle, Spherify, MakePoly, vertRotate and Push. Faceloft script is also included.
ChilliSkinner v3.0.2 by Colin 'Chilli' Semple - A collection of utilities that aid in the process of 'skinning' (UV Mapping) low polygon 3D models. Read the Issues / Fixes / Changes page to see what's new.
NamedSelections Import/Export V0.1 by Gribouille - This script keeps you from losing named selections during a merge.

More information on Digimation's head generation plugin available. Check out the sample video.

As reported earlier, version 3.1 of Eyeon Software's compositing application includes lots of new features and is a free upgrade for 3.0 users.

Check 'em out!

Corel introduces Bryce 5, the latest version of its powerful 3D landscape creation and animation application.  New features include tree and light labs, and network rendering. Press release

Trapcode announced the release of their Shine plugin for After Effects (and other AE plugin architecture compatible software). The plugin is useful for quickly and interactively creating effects that look like 3D-generated volume lights without the waiting associated with 3D rendering methods. Check out the samples (1 - 2 - 3 - 4) and download a demo version. Price is $49 until August 1st.

Highend3D has started a new discussion list centered on renderers and rendering techniques. The mailing list is being hosted and moderated by programmers such as Larry Gritz, Dan Wexler, David Gould, Jacopo Pantaleoni, etc. You can also read the archived messages without subscribing to the list.

Exluna has announced that their Renderman-compliant Entropy renderer will be commercially released August 1. Exluna is already accepting advance orders for Entropy. Price is $1,500 per floating license.

A chance to take a peek at the art of the talented Torbjorn Olsson, the guy behind the Max3D website.

Australian studio Iloura provides us with a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Kraft foods' peanut butter commercial, done entirely in Max.

"Axis", the first Europe-developed computer-generated movie, will premiere in the United States in 2002.  A short demo of the 85-minute CGI feature will make its U.S. debut at SIGGRAPH. More information is available here.

Sorenson Broadcaster enables you to stream video and audio using Apple's QuickTime 4 or 5, including encoding support for Sorenson Video 3, Sorenson MPEG-4, Sorenson Video 2, H263, H261, and Motion JPEG.  Press Release

the xfrog team has released version 3.21 Full and Lite versions of Xfrog procedural organic software. Lots of images are available as well as a free 30 day fully functional download .

Daniel Yu has posted versions of most of his freeware plugins for 3ds max 4. Thanks go to Dieter Morgenroth for recompiling them for Daniel.

Skip this if You're not Dutch :)   [ more... ]

Digit Magazine reviews Cinema 4D XL 7: "...not only can you render out multiple passes into a single layered Photoshop (or BodyPaint) file, you can also render separate light passes. For each light that’s activated for multipass rendering, a folder will be created in the layered image file that contains only the illumination for that light."

Darkling Simulations announced SimbiontMAX 2.0, the latest version of their collection of plugin procedural shaders, 3D maps, and materials for 3ds max. SimbiontMAX 2.0 provides 10 new shaders (six photorealistic shaders and four NPR), 24 procedural maps and 110 procedural materials. Price is $195 and demos are available for Max R3 and R4.

Lots of images from the Final Fantasy movie available.

Absolute Software just released an update patch to their RayMAX 4 Public Beta renderer.

The official Myst III website has a gallery of very nice renderings and conceptual artwork developed for the game. To see which tools where used to create the surreal graphics in Myst III check out the following article at CGW and Presto Studios' profile at Digimation's Newsletter.

InsideCG has an article on Xcalibur, a CG medieval fantasy-adventure TV series produced by TVA International. Modeling and texturing has been done in Max by French studio Gribouille. More information available at Postmagazine.com.

Great tutorial on building materials by "layers" added to Neil Blevins' site.

Max3D reviews Cluster-O-Matic.