Autodesk Maya 8.5

Autodesk has launched version 8.5 of its Maya 3D modelling, animation and rendering software. The new version can run natively on both Intel- and PowerPC-based Macs as a Universal Binary [Maya can run on 32-bit Windows®, Linux®, and Mac OS® X and 64-bit Windows and Linux].

The updated version introduces the Maya Nucleus unified simulation framework which is a linked particle system that interactively simulates a wide range of dynamic entities. It works with a variety of geometry types (curves, non-manifold geometry, meshes with holes, and so forth) within a unified framework. Fluids, cloth and rigid bodies will react and move to pressure exerted on each other, with acces to built-in systems such as an air-pressure model that allows any geometry to create an inflatable object with internal and external pressure.

The version 8.5 also adds support for Python, a powerful and accessible scripting language, which allows 3D artists familiar with the open-source programming language -- as used by other applications including NewTek LightWave -- to create scripts and plug-ins for Maya, without having to learn the suite's proprietary MEL (Maya Embedded Language) language. With its higher-level language constructs, Python supports developer productivity while providing easily maintainable code. The language is also highly extensible, with a broad collection of third-party tools and modules freely available.

For more information see the Autodesk Maya page. For a freely available Personal Learning Edition, visit this page.