Autodesk Announces New Features in Maya and 3ds Max
Autodesk’s Maya and 3ds have long held spots in our roundups of the best animation software and the best 3D modeling software. New features announced today are likely to keep them there, as Autodesk adds a batch of new tools intended to speed up workflows.
Golaem Plug-in for Maya
First up, Autodesk will add the Golaem plug-in for Maya to the Media & Entertainment Collection, the premium subscription plan that provides access to Maya, 3ds Max, Arnold, MotionBuilder, Mudbox, and more. Golaem provides crowd simulation, making it easier to fill 3D worlds with multiple animated characters, whether it’s a stadium full of cheering sports fans or a battlefield full of soldiers.
Flow Animating in Context
Next up, Flow Animating in Context in Maya is designed for situations where animators are assigned a scene to work on with little (or no) context of what comes before or next. The lack of context can make it hard to create performances that fit the overall narrative.
What Else is New?
Autodesk is also adding more AI tools that allow interactive workflows intended to improve efficiency. The Autodesk AI-powered Machine Learning Deformer in Maya should now load 40 times faster, while disk space usage has been reduced by 80%.
Additional Features
- Bifrost’s procedural liquid simulation feature is now available directly in the Bifrost graph in Maya.
- The new FLIP solver offers adaptive resolution for efficient computation, particle-based foam, and improved velocity estimation.
- You can also emit and blend colored liquids.
- It’s ideal for large-scale, non-viscous fluids.
3D Modeling
- The Volume Booleans tool is now available in Maya and 3ds Max, creating a more unified Boolean engine across the two tools.
- This makes it easier to explore freeform shapes and build complex organic forms from simple primitives.
OpenUSD and Light Linking
- OpenUSD improvements continue across both Maya and 3ds Max, with added support for axis and scale adjustments in Maya and an Attribute Editor in 3ds Max.
- A long-requested feature, Light Linking, is also now available in both programs, giving greater control over rendering.
Conclusion
These new features are designed to speed up workflows and improve efficiency in Maya and 3ds Max. The addition of Golaem, Flow Animating in Context, and other AI tools will likely keep these software solutions at the top of the list for animation and 3D modeling.
FAQs
Q: What is Golaem?
A: Golaem is a crowd simulation plugin that makes it easier to fill 3D worlds with multiple animated characters.
Q: What is Flow Animating in Context?
A: Flow Animating in Context is a feature that integrates surrounding shots from Flow Production Tracking (formerly ShotGrid) into Maya’s timeline, allowing animators to make informed creative decisions.
Q: What is Bifrost?
A: Bifrost is a procedural liquid simulation feature that allows for efficient computation, particle-based foam, and improved velocity estimation.
Q: What is OpenUSD?
A: OpenUSD is an open standard for USD (Universal Scene Description) that allows for efficient data exchange between different software solutions.
Q: What is Light Linking?
A: Light Linking is a feature that gives greater control over rendering in Maya and 3ds Max, allowing for more accurate material representation and improved interchange with other software.
