Autodesk® Maya® 8.5 software gives artists enhanced creative control, enabling faster completion of complex animation and simulation tasks.
Creative control is achieved through innovative new technologies such as Nucleus, Autodesk’s next-generation unified dynamics simulation framework. Python integration further extends this creative control. Maya 8.5 is also optimized for Intel-based Macs.
As CG Society reports, the new release will be introduced at GDC 2007 and the following enhanced features will be available:
nCloth – New feature –nCloth is generated from modeled polygon meshes. Any standard polygon mesh can be converted into a Maya nCloth object. Maya nCloth will continue to permit functionality with the present Cloth module, and is the first Maya module built on the new Maya Nucleus unified simulation framework.- Nucleus – With Maya Nucleus, artists can shape and influence results toward a modeled target, even while the simulation is running. Multiple simulations can be blended together in the TRAX timeline to achieve an optimal single result.
- Python scripts – Also new in Maya 8.5, the industry-standard Python scripting language has now been fully integrated into the software. Python 2.4.3 can be used for plug-in development or as an alternative to the Maya Embedded Language (MEL) – in order to customize and automate Maya.
- mental ray – Mental ray has been given a complete overhaul, with UI and workflow improvements. A full batch of shaders for architectural and design projects, as well as physical sun and sky shaders, make accurate outdoor environments easy to create.
PLE and platforms
At last, Autodesk is back with Maya Complete, Unlimited and the long-awaited Personal Learning Edition (PLE). Also, the Windows XP Pro (SP2+), Linux 4.0 WS (U4), Linux 10.1 and Fedora Core 5 platforms are supported in the new May version 8.5 and are ready for 32-bit and 64-bit, while the Mac OS X 10.4.8 is available as a 32-bit release.