E-on Software News - May 27, 2009

The latest e-on software newsletter is doing the rounds including details of two new Vue books, Vue 7.5 Final Release, Ozone 4 release, the Vue 7.4 update and the GeoControl 2 special offer at Cornucopia3D.

Vue Update 7.4 Available

Vue 7.4 is now available:

Vue 7 xStream (Build 42999)

The following is a list of bug fixes and improvements included in this update:

• New Features:
  • EcoPainting in XSI
  • Material Painting and effect-driven material mapping in the Terrain Editor
  • Cross-shadowing on clouds
  • Optional Hide objects from render and disable lights by clicking their icon in World Browser
  • OpenGL sky preview with clouds
  • Realistic MetaCloud preview
  • Dynamic plant display optimization
  • Enhanced Multi-Processor usage for procedural terrains, dynamic EcoSystems and panoramic rendering
  • SketchUp 7 file import - 32 bit only
  • Automatic renaming of Standalone, HyperVue- and RenderNode-generated frames if overwriting
  • Compatibility with 3ds Max 2010 and Softimage XSI 7.5 (coming soon)
  
  
  
• Integration plug-ins:
  • Improved GI influence of Vue sky on native objects.
  • Fixed invalid XSI geometry for Vue proxy objects
  • Improved texture management for Vue proxy objects in XSI
  • Improved support for Mental Ray Distributed Bucket Rendering
  • Improved compatibility with Mental Ray Final Gather maps
  • Optimized memory usage when loading Vue scenes with large EcoSystems containing lots of different species
  • Improved OpenGL display in all host application viewports.
  • Improved handling of Vue Group-objects inside the host application.
  • Fixed possible problems when reading Maya scenes that contain Vue scenes.
  • Optimized shadows/reflections/refractions computation when a length unit conversion is required.
  • Added the possibility for the plug-in to ask for missing textures/images.
  • Fixed possible artifacts in Texture Anti-Aliasing (Mental Ray for Maya/XSI and Maya Software).
  • Improved Network Rendering with RenderNodes.
  • Improved overall stability.
  • Fixed possible duplication of native lights.
  • Fixed possible freeze when exiting C4D.
  • Optimized the merging of Vue scenes inside the host application.
  • Improved EcoSystem painting in the host applications.
  • Added an option to automatically switch the host application viewports to the Vue camera when loading or creating a Vue scene.
  • Added an option to adjust frame rate in the host application when loading an animated Vue scene.
  • Fixed a problem making Vue object disappear from render when Vue GI is on, mental ray Final Gather is on, and a render region is used.
  • Added a menu entry in Maya menus to allow user to restore default grid and viewport.
  • Fixed a possible crash with ScreamerNet(Mac) or LWSN(Win) when loading a LW scene with Vue elements.
• Improved OpenGL display of transparent objects, lensflare, fog, sky previews, layered ecosystem materials...
• Optimized memory usage when creating a new scene.
• Improved the Auto-updating of Vue on MacOS.
• New algorithms to reduce noise in the shadows projected by spectral clouds.
• Various optimizations with Macro edition, particularly on MacOS 10.4.
• Added an option to refresh the sky OpenGL display in the viewport display options.
• Improved several import modules (3DMF, COB, LWO, VRML).
• Fixed possible problems when importing animated Collada files on MacOS.
• Improved Fractal computation in the terrain editor.
• Improved edition of pre-animated groups.
• Optimized workflow with Poser objects.
• Optimized anti flickering technology for animations that include stars.
• Optimized alpha transparency influence with GI shading.
• Improved stability when using the Function Editor.
• Fixed a possible bug when using the "twist" parameter on Vue object.
• Fixed a possible crash when resetting an atmosphere that contains animated clouds.
• Improved Network Rendering with RenderCows.
• fixed dark seams on exported objects that contain open meshes.
• fixed wrong metaclouds rendering when seen through transparent objects.
• Added backup event for align tool.
• fixed slightly inconsistent alpha value when saving alpha channel.
• Various interface optimizations.

For Vue 7 Infinite (Build 42999)

The following is a list of bug fixes and improvements included in this update:

• New Features:
  • Material Painting and effect-driven material mapping in the Terrain Editor
  • Cross-shadowing on clouds
  • Optional Hide objects from render and disable lights by clicking their icon in World Browser
  • OpenGL sky preview with clouds
  • Realistic MetaCloud preview
  • Dynamic plant display optimization
  • Enhanced Multi-Processor usage for procedural terrains, dynamic EcoSystems and panoramic rendering
  • SketchUp 7 file import - 32 bit only
  • Automatic renaming of Standalone, HyperVue- and RenderNode-generated frames if overwriting
  
  
  
• Improved OpenGL display of transparent objects, lensflare, fog, sky previews, layered ecosystem materials...
• Optimized memory usage when creating a new scene.
• Improved the Auto-updating of Vue on MacOS.
• New algorithms to reduce noise in the shadows projected by spectral clouds.
• Various optimizations with Macro edition, particularly on MacOS 10.4.
• Added an option to refresh the sky OpenGL display in the viewport display options.
• Improved several import modules (3DMF, COB, LWO, VRML).
• Fixed possible problems when importing animated Collada files on MacOS.
• Improved Fractal computation in the terrain editor.
• Improved edition of pre-animated groups.
• Optimized workflow with Poser objects.
• Optimized anti flickering technology for animations that include stars.
• Optimized alpha transparency influence with GI shading.
• Improved stability when using the Function Editor.
• Fixed a possible bug when using the "twist" parameter on Vue object.
• Fixed a possible crash when resetting an atmosphere that contains animated clouds.
• Improved Network Rendering with RenderCows.
• fixed dark seams on exported objects that contain open meshes.
• fixed wrong metaclouds rendering when seen through transparent objects.
• Added backup event for align tool.
• fixed slightly inconsistent alpha value when saving alpha channel.
• Various interface optimizations.

For Vue 7 Complete, Vue 7 Pro Studio and Vue 7 Esprit (Build 43013)

The following is a list of bug fixes and improvements included in this update:

• New Features:
  • Paint material distributions at the surface of terrains.
  • Import, view and edit distribution maps in the Terrain Editor.
  • Terrain effects optionally affect material distribution map.
  • OpenGL sky preview with clouds.
  • Realistic MetaCloud preview.
  • Dynamic plant display optimization.
  • Enhanced Multi-Processor usage for procedural terrains, dynamic EcoSystems and panoramic rendering.
  • SketchUp 7 file import - Win32 only.
  • Automatic renaming of Standalone- and HyperVue-generated frames if overwriting.
  • Avoid accidental "Hide objects from render" in World Browser.
  
  
  
• Improved OpenGL display of transparent objects, lensflare, fog, sky previews, layered ecosystem materials...
• Optimized memory usage when creating a new scene.
• New algorithms to reduce noise in the shadows projected by spectral clouds.
• Various optimizations with Macro edition, particularly on MacOS 10.4.
• Added an option to refresh the sky OpenGL display in the viewport display options
• Improved several import modules (3DMF, COB, LWO, VRML).
• Fixed possible problems when importing animated Collada files on MacOS.
• Improved Fractal computation in the terrain editor.
• Improved edition of pre-animated groups.
• Optimized workflow with Poser objects.
• Optimized anti flickering technology for animations that include stars.
• Optimized alpha transparency influence with GI shading.
• Improved stability when using the Function Editor.
• Fixed a possible bug when using the "twist" parameter on Vue object.
• Fixed a possible crash when resetting an atmosphere that contains animated clouds.
• Improved Network Rendering with RenderCows.
• fixed dark seams on exported objects that contain open meshes.
• fixed wrong metaclouds rendering when seen through transparent objects.
• Added backup event for align tool.
• fixed slightly inconsistent alpha value when saving alpha channel.
• fixed always resetting "optimize for infinite scenery" radiosity option when reading back scene files.
• fixed disabled rotoscoping with image sequences
• fixed disabled spherical panoramic rendering
• Various interface optimizations.

E-on Software Ships Vue 7.5

ADDS V-RAY COMPATIBILITY, PLANETARY RENDERING, CAMERA MAPPING, CLOUD ALPHA

May 27, 2009. Beaverton, Oregon: e-on software, maker of Vue, the leading solutions for natural 3D environments, today announced the immediate availability of Vue 7.5 xStream and Vue 7.5 Infinite, the company’s latest release of its professional solutions for the creation, animation and rendering of natural 3D environments.

E-on software also released a Vue 7.4 update for all Vue 7 products (including Esprit, Pro Studio and Complete, its products for artists). This update adds new functionality to Vue 7 and is available at no cost for all Vue 7 users (the complete list of improvements and new features is available at
www.e-onsoftware.com/update).

New features of Vue 7.5

Vue xStream and Vue Infinite are the company’s professional solutions for the creation, animation and rendering of natural 3D environments. While Vue Infinite is a standalone application, Vue xStream operates seamlessly inside of 3ds Max, Maya, LightWave, Cinema4D and Softimage|XSI. Specifically designed for graphics professionals, these products combine a multitude of cutting edge features that easily integrate into existing production pipelines.

Release 7.5 adds significant new functionality to Vue 7:

• Color and Alpha masks of single clouds and cloud layers in multi-pass renderer
• "Camera Mapping" to dramatically cut animation render times
• Spherical and planetary procedural terrains with infinite level of detail
• Spherical cloudscapes (procedural, or based on real-world/modified cloud maps)
• Material Painting and effect-driven material mapping in the Terrain Editor
• Enhanced Multi-Processor usage for procedural terrains, Dynamic EcoSystems and panoramic rendering
• EcoSystem populations that can evolve over time
• Support of the V-Ray renderer for 3ds Max (xStream)
• Support of EcoSystem painting in XSI (xStream)
• Cloud layers that cast and receive shadows from other cloud layers and objects in the scene
• Improved OpenGL sky and cloud preview, colored EcoSystem instance previewing
• Other productivity and feature enhancements.

More information on the new features of Vue 7.5 is available at:
www.e-onsoftware.com/professional

Vue 7.5 and Vue 8 Upgrades Guaranteed with Maintenance Plans:

Following the terms of e-on software’s maintenance contracts, users of Vue 7 xStream or Vue 7 Infinite who subscribed to a Standard or Premium maintenance plan will receive the upgrade to the corresponding Vue 7.5 product at no charge.

In order to help synchronize timing and activation concerns surrounding the rollout of e-on’s new maintenance programs, e-on software has announced a guaranteed commitment policy which allows all Vue 7 maintenance subscription users to receive their upgrade to Vue 8 at no charge, when it becomes available, regardless of the effective start date and initial subscription period of their maintenance program.

This one-time policy is designed to ensure that users who have already purchased maintenance, or intend to purchase maintenance (to receive the Vue 7.5 upgrade), will not be penalized by timing if the Vue 8 release should happen to fall outside a user’s initial subscription period.

Users who are not under maintenance have the option to purchase the upgrade to Vue 7.5 (see further down for pricing). However, e-on software strongly recommends that they consider subscribing to a maintenance plan instead, as this may prove more cost effective in the long term:

The cost of upgrading to Vue 7.5 and Vue 8 will be as follows:

• Upgrade from Vue 7 to Vue 7.5: $295 (Infinite) and $495 (xStream)
• Upgrade from Vue 7.5 to Vue 8: $295 (Infinite) and $495 (xStream)
• Upgrade from Vue 7 to Vue 8: $295 (Infinite) and $495 (xStream)

More information on e-on software’s maintenance plans can be found at:
http://www.e-onsoftware.com/maintenance

Standard Retail Price, Grace Period and Late Buyers:

Vue 7.5 xStream retails for $1,495, with upgrades from Vue 7 xStream available for $495. Vue 7.5 Infinite retails for $895, with upgrades from Vue 7 Infinite available for $295. Other upgrade paths from Vue 6 Infinite and Vue 6 xStream are also available (see full product pricelist for details).

Annual subscriptions for Educational licenses of Vue xStream and Infinite are available respectively for $149/year/seat and $99/seat/year. Upgrades to Vue 7.5 are free for owners of active educational licenses of Vue 7.

Site licensing discounts are available, contact e-on software for further details and pricing information.

Customers who purchased Vue 7 xStream or Infinite after May 1st will receive the upgrade to Vue 7.5 at no cost. Customers who purchased Vue 7 xStream or Infinite between April 1st and May 1st benefit from a "late buyer" program and will get the upgrade for half the price.

Owners of Vue 7 network rendering licenses who upgrade to Vue 7.5 will receive the corresponding Vue 7.5 network rendering licenses at no cost.

Availability

Vue 7.5 xStream and Vue 7.5 Infinite are available in English for Windows XP32/64 and Vista 32/64, and on Mac OSX 10.4 and 10.5 as a 32 bit application (Universal Binary). Vue 7.5 xStream is compatible with the following renderers: Mental Ray for 3ds Max, Maya and XSI (integrated and MR satellites), V-Ray for 3ds Max, and Maya, Cinema4D and LightWave native renderers. Other renderers are under consideration.

GeoControl2 Special Offer

Cornucopia3D is running a two week sale on GeoControl2 - just $89 instead of the usual $159. GeoControl2 is a great companion to Vue: it has a whole set of tools that Vue lacks for creating terrain features including drawing roads across a landscape and creating the paths for rivers flowing through a landscape. There's also a free tutorial at C3D on using Vue and GeoControl2 together.

Quadspinner Realistic Terrains Tutorial for Vue

Quadspinner have launched a 75 minute training video for Vue 7 about creating terrains for $27. I've not seen it but according to the promotional information it covers the use of Terrain Fractals, the Function Editor, combining fractals to add detail, producing variations based on a terrain and creating dramatic mountains and cliffs.

Crashing Meteor and Glow Tutorials for Vue

Two new tutorials for Vue from Geekatplaystudio: Crashing Meteor and Make it glow.

Ozone 4 Released

HYPER REALISTIC ATMOSPHERES IN 3DS MAX, CINEMA 4D, LIGHTWAVE, MAYA AND XSI

May 20, 2009. Beaverton, Oregon: e-on software, makers of Vue, the leading solutions for natural 3D environments, and creators of breakthrough spectral atmospheric rendering technologies today announced the immediate availability of Ozone 4.0, its suite of atmospheric plug-ins for 3ds Max, Cinema4D, LightWave, Maya and Softimage|XSI.

E-on software also announced that it plans to release the Ozone 4.0 Personal Learning Edition (a fully functional version of Ozone 4.0 that anyone can use at no charge) in the coming days.

Ozone 4.0 - Atmospheres that Come Alive

Ozone 4.0 implements the Spectral 2 cutting-edge technologies developed by e-on software for the simulation and rendering of atmospheric effects. Ozone 4.0 atmospheres provide an accurately simulated environment that affects all elements of the scenes, and behaves according to nature’s rules.

Some of the new features of Ozone 4.0 include:

• Fully integrated suite of plug-ins:

Ozone 4.0 operates as a fully integrated plug-in for 3ds Max, Maya, LightWave, Cinema4D and XSI. It adds all the tools required for the creation of hyper-realistic atmospheres directly in the host application's interface. On top of this, one single license of Ozone 4.0 will work with all compatible applications and renderers (see further down for details).

• Breakthrough Spectral 2™ and Volumetric atmosphere models:

Based entirely on real-world atmospheric behavior, the new Spectral 2™ engine produces ultra-realistic environments with volumetric clouds, accurate light dispersion and natural phenomena such as Godrays. These new technologies realistically model the behavior of our planet's atmosphere to produce all kinds of atmospheric effects.

• Real 3D Clouds:

Highly optimized volumetric cloud layers that you can fly through or use to simulate realistic low-lying fog. Ozone 4.0 Atmospheres are seamlessly integrated in the scene and will directly interact with native elements (for instance: Ozone 4.0 clouds will automatically cast shadows onto native objects).

• Super-fast rendering technology:

Despite the staggering complexity of the atmospheric model it features, Ozone 4.0 renders its atmospheric effects at blazing speed, thanks to e-on software’s highly optimized technology.

• Animated clouds and sunsets in a breeze:

Users can realistically animate the atmosphere, the clouds and the sun, making their skies spring to life, all in a wink! Simply set the direction and speed of the wind, the rate of change, and render on!

• Extensive library of over 150 predefined atmospheres:

Ozone 4.0 includes presets for all kinds of atmospheric conditions: bright daytime, bad weather, sunrise, sunset, night time, etc. Customize the atmosphere using dedicated tools and the library of over 140 preset cloud shapes.

A complete and detailed list of features is available at:
www.e-onsoftware.com/ozone

Painting materials with Vue 7.4 Tutorial

Geekatplay Studio has a new video tutorial on painting materials on terrains with Vue 7.4

E-on Software Newsletter - May 6, 2009

The latest e-on software newsletter is now available and includes an explanation of Vue 7 Maintenance Upgrade Policy, information about Vue 7.4, Ozone 4.0 Open Beta and the Terra X Trailer By Acht Frankfurt.

Vue 7 Espit

E-on software is running a two week sale on Vue 7 Esprit. Until Wednesday 20th May 2009 Vue 7 Esprit is $129 instead of $199 while the upgrade from Vue 6 Esprit is cut to $79 and the sidegrade from Vue 6 Easel is $99.

Vue 7: From The Ground Up - Now Shipping

Ami and Vladimir Chopine's book Vue 7: From The Ground Up is now shipping from Amazon

3D Artist Issue 2 and Vue

3D Artist Issue 2 is on sale in the UK. Vue 7 Pioneer is included on the cover disc it also says there is free content download worth $100 (I made it $113.58 when I claimed it). To get the free Vue content follow the instructions on page 111 of the magazine but it helps to be logged in to Cornucopia 3D first. There is also a two page tutorial on getting started with Vue 7 Pioneer - not one an experienced user will discover anything new from but good for someone starting out.

3D World - June 2009 and Vue

Issue 117 of 3D World is now on sale in the UK. Its got a new look but the same eratic standards of reporting. The news item about Vue 7 Pioneer, which according to "The Filter" sections blurb stripps away the PR fluff, appears to have been written by someone who didn't just strip away the fluff but also couldn't be bothered to do any research or know their field. In barely a paragraph they say that Vue Pioneer takes Vue into Daz Productions territory having previously focused on high-end work. I'm trying to figure out if I was suffering a halucination when I used Vue d'Esprite, if I just imagined Vue Easel and if Cornucopia 3D wasn't well over a year old. Other than that there is a full page advert for Vue 7.5.

Flying Over Clouds

Geekatplay studio have a new video tutorial, Flying Over Clouds, for Vue. It covers how to animating propellers on the Steam Punk Airship from Cornucopia 3D and how to create the cloud layer.