MWSF: Autodesk announces three new software releases for the Mac
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
Jan 7, 2009 at 8:00am
Autodesk has expanded its portfolio of Macintosh 2D and 3D software tools for entertainment, multimedia and design professionals. The three new 2009 products for Mac OS X are Autodesk Toxik procedural compositing software, Autodesk Mudbox digital sculpting and texture painting software, and Autodesk ImageModeler image-based modeling and photogrammetry software.
As well, 2009 versions of Autodesk Maya 3D modeling, animation and rendering software and Autodesk Stitcher photo-stitching software are already available on the Mac.
Autodesk Toxik 2009 is designed as a companion to the Maya 2009 software. This node-based digital compositing software brings integrated compositing and effects capabilities to independent 2D visual effects artists and large-scale film and broadcast facilities. Toxik 2009 facilitates high-efficiency, collaborative, iterative workflows, and offers a suite of new tools to support stereoscopic productions and the creation of set extensions with real-time interactive high resolution compositing. Toxik 2009 for Mac OS X is expected to be available in English in March 2009. The Autodesk suggested retail price for Toxik 2009 is expected to be US$3,495.
Autodesk Mudbox 2009 is an application for painting, texturing and re-touching 3D models. Mudbox software gives 3D modelers, artists and designers the freedom to create without worrying about the technical details, according to Stig Gruman, Digital Entertainment Group vice president, Autodesk Media & Entertainment. Breaking the mold of traditional 3D modeling applications, Mudbox 2009 provides an organic brush-based 3D modeling and texture painting experience that ignites the creative process, he says. Mudbox 2009 for Mac OS X is expected to be available in English in February for $745.
Autodesk ImageModeler 2009 is an image-based modeling and photogrammetry software that generates 3D models from photographs, giving architects, designers and entertainment content creators a new approach to 3D modeling. The Mac OS X version is expected to be available in English in March for $995.
Autodesk Maya 2009 is an update of the integrated 3D modeling, animation, and rendering solution based upon an open architecture. A 32-bit version of Maya 2009 is currently available in English and Japanese on the Mac OS X for Intel-based Macs. Autodesk suggested retail pricing is $1,995 for Maya Complete 2009 (Standalone) and $4,995 for Maya Unlimited 2009 (Standalone).
Autodesk Stitcher Unlimited 2009 is software that helps create wide-angle and panoramic images, up to 360 degree spheres. With an automatic photo-merging engine, the software is designed for generating virtual tours for the web, dramatic backdrops for film and game productions, environment maps for 3D rendering and high-quality panoramic prints for artistic display. Stitcher Unlimited also interoperates seamlessly with Adobe Photoshop software. Currently available for Mac OS X in English, French, German and Japanese, Stitcher Unlimited 2009 costs US$350.
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Dennis Sellers
Dennis has been a newspaper editor/reporter (seven years) and teacher (seven years). He has over 4,000 magazine, newspaper and online articles to his credit. He has also covered the Mac and tech industries for over a decade for such online publications as MacCentral, MacMinute and now MacsimumNews.
