Autodesk Introduces Mudbox 2009

By DE Editors

Autodesk, Inc. (San Rafael, CA) launched Autodesk Mudbox 2009 software for 3D modelers and texture artists working on design projects. Mudbox, which Autodesk anticipates will be available in October 2008, combines an intuitive user interface with a toolset for creating highly detailed 3D models. The software gives artists the freedom to create without worrying about technical details.

New feature highlights in Autodesk Mudbox 2009 include Texture Painting, a new,  production-ready toolset that makes it easy to paint multiple diffuse, bump,  specular, and reflection textures across multiple high-resolution maps on models. Users can paint directly on 3D models to add detail precisely where it’s required, regardless of UV distortion or surface complexity. Reference images can be painted onto a model from screen space using the new Projection brush. Plus, users can paint multiple maps on multiple UV tiles simultaneously and assign multiple UV tiles on a single mesh.

Recognized for its ability to handle data-heavy models, the company says the latest version of Mudbox offers greater interactivity while working on high-resolution meshes. Camera manipulation and brush speed have been improved, enabling users to work interactively with 3D models that are fully subdivided into tens of millions of polygons across the entire mesh.

Mudbox 2009 (MSRP $745) includes rendering technologies that leverage the power of the OpenGL application programming interface (API) and today’s powerful graphics cards.

Also offered is improved interoperability with Autodesk Maya and Autodesk 3ds Max,  as well as support on Microsoft Windows XP Professional and Vista.

For a list of new features in Autodesk Mudbox 2009, visit Autodesk, Inc.

Sources:  Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.