501 news in latest 3D World Magazine

#1

In the latest 3D World magazine (great, expensive but worth it), issue 136, December 2010, there is a preview of Modo 501 (article, not a software trial) and an interview with Brad Peebler.

Three big things that are talked about in 501 are Pixar Sub D (PSUB) modeling, Multi-Resolution Sculpting (very Zbrush like) and the very cool sounding RayGL display. The latter allows you to model in a raytraced view. This is different from the preview render which also has improvements.

Mac 64bit OSX has been confirmed.

Also, much ado about redone bump and displacement mapping, snapping, much faster render speeds, etc.

Definitely no character animation in this release, maybe 601 (maybe).

Also, they say late November release (but not confirmed).

Looks very cool but this release (501) is all about fixing problems with previous releases for improved stability, speed and workflow.

#2

Sounds cool. I stopped subscribing but I went to buy this online and it seems they don’t even have a digital version on zinio or other iPad distributors. I’m not going to wait a couple weeks to read about this so I guess I’ll wait for more info online.

#3

I wouldn’t describe it as an in-depth article. It’s only 3 pages long.

3D World is pretty expensive, about $125 / year (US).

I can’t blame them for publishing on paper only. And they do an excellent job of printing it, every page in full color and all pages are glossy with a good thickness of paper. They seem collectible.

Also, it seems every issue comes with a CD with trials and demos, etc.

But when you do subscribe, the first issue takes about 2 months to process and deliver. It comes from Allemagne.

#4

ya, I just got tired of skipping countless how-tos for software I didn’t use (and too basic for the ones I did) and then the rest is people’s portfolio. The stuff of value for me was rare, but I don’t think I’m the intended audience. Occasionally something like this comes up that I’d want but it’s slow getting here and by that time I can just read about it online. Print is screwed (and I’m a print guy).

#5

the multi-res sculpting sounds pretty cool… though regular sculpting is slow as crap, so I rarely use it other than to make some quick proportional changes. If it’s not fundamentally faster and more stable, I just don’t see the point.

What is Pixar SubD, out of curiosity? A google search yielded nothing but this very thread on cgtalk, so I’m assuming there isn’t a lot of information out there about it?

if 501 is really all about fixes and stability, then I’m all for it- modo crashes for me at least twice per day at least, and while performing a save/autosave all too often.

#6

PSUB is another form of the SUBD already in Modo. The older version is still available in 501.

PSUB is described as “Pixar’s Catmull-Clark subdivision surfaces which reduces distortions in UV maps and gives more refined (sharper) edge creasing, particularly at points on a model where multiple edges meet.”

#7

Looks like it’s going to be another outstanding release!

#8

Well, you should know. Your Modo book is close to a bible for us and I hope you will update your book series to reflect 501’s changes. Unlike Maya, which has at least a dozen training books available, Modo has only a few, yours and Wes McDermotts’s.

Both are excellent.

I’m guessing that you have been working with a beta of 501 and can’t discuss it…yet.

#9

Thanks very much! Appreciate that.
No new modo book from me, but I am doing a full on video course, showing modo from the ground up. Our new 3DGarage.com modo 501 Signature Courseware will be released shortly after the official release of modo 501 from Luxology.

Have a great week,
Dan

#10

That sounds great Dan! Can´t wait to get your DVD (this where the second) and Modo 501.
Keep up the very good Work!
Regards
Martin from Germany

#11

This is really exciting as I already have my upgrade confirmed and am not interested in animation tools anyway. The new features and refinements sound very promising, so we’ll just have to wait and see now.

Cheers,

#12

the 3hrs presentation of modo 501

http://timon-royer.com/privat/modo-roadtrip-paris.mov

#13

Thanks for the link.

#14

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