Luxology Delivers modo 201

San Mateo, Calif. - May 24, 2006 - Luxology, LLC today announced the immediate availability of modo 201, its innovative 3D modeling, painting and rendering software built on the ultra clean modo code base. modo 201 combines significant modeling advancements with cutting-edge 3D painting and rendering technologies in a modern workflow customized to enhance productivity for 3D artists working in game development, film visual effects, video production, graphic arts and design visualization. modo 201 is available for immediate download from Luxology at modo3d.com or can be purchased from selected resellers.

"modo was developed to provide a fused workflow so that artists can spend less time focusing on the mechanics of 3D content creation and more time on realizing their artistic vision," said Brad Peebler, president of Luxology. "modo 201 provides an enhanced 3D creation experience by combining modeling, painting and rendering technologies in a truly unique and complementary way."

Designed to fit easily into existing tool pipelines and work smoothly in conjunction with other leading 2D and 3D software applications, modo 201 accelerates the creation of world-class models, associated color and normal maps, and ultra high-quality renderings, all while providing a comfortable and intuitive working environment.

3D Artists Applaud modo 201
"I use modo 201 for 99% of all my modeling," said Roger Borelli, Walt Disney Feature Animation. "We have a Maya-based pipeline and modo 201's new FBX support makes it very easy to go from Maya to modo back to Maya. I love modeling in modo!"

"modo 201 makes it easy for me to model and render all in one application," said Chris Szetela, Ford Motor Company. "I can create and not worry about the mechanics."

"modo is the foundation in my 3D toolset and my all-time favorite modeling application," said James Edwards, Digital Extremes. "This program is absolutely addictive, and I often go out of my way just to be able to include it in my creative process. Thanks Luxology!"

"modo 201 is definitely the fastest way for me to create my models," said Seneca Menard, id Software. "Its new subD edge weighting, custom work planes, UV unwrap tool, custom action centers and fully customizable UI and hotkey system along with the macro/script system allow me to work much faster than I ever could before."

New Features in modo 201
modo 201 is a high-performance software platform that uniquely integrates best-of-breed subdivision surface modeling tools with powerful new painting and rendering technologies.

Advanced Modeling Technology - Core modeling enhancements to modo's hybrid subdivision surface/polygon modeler include a new Solid Sketch tool for rapid creation of branched base meshes, efficient mesh instancing for large scene management, rounded beveling controls for corners, faster sculpting and a new Mesh Paint tool for easy placement of geometric details like whiskers or hairs on existing surfaces. modo now provides simplified UV map creation (Click. Drag. Done.) plus a comprehensive UV unwrap editor.

Integrated Painting Tools - New 3D painting inside modo enriches the modeling experience. Artists can directly refine the surface appearance of models using brushes that apply effects like real-time bump mapping. The full featured paint system provides a full range of brushes plus line, fill and gradient tools. Masking and blending capabilities are provided, as is support for pressure sensitive input devices. modo's new paint tools work in 3D or UV views and flow through the flexible modo "toolpipe" which allows for hot swappable brushes, inks, nozzles and falloffs.

Accelerated Rendering/Baking Technology - modo's new rendering engine is built from the ground up for massive scalability and super efficient hardware utilization. Modeling and painting changes can be seen almost immediately in a progressively rendered viewport and final renderings are achieved at a new pinnacle of speed and quality. The renderer supports a wide range of global illumination and physically-based shading techniques to deliver advanced optical effects including natural lighting, subsurface scattering, anisotropic blurry reflections, and micropolygon displacement. Lens distortion, motion blur and depth of field are supported, and the render engine can readily bake various results (like normal vectors or ambient occlusion) into image maps.

Workflow Accelerators - modo 201 sports a new integrated learning system with over 4GB of video tutorials and an expanded library of sample content. High-speed OpenGL navigation immerses the artist in the creative experience with incredibly realistic views that feature per pixel shading, multi-texturing and real-time bump mapping. Mouse and keyboard remapping options provide modo artists with common 3D navigation controls and hotkeys found in companion 3D applications for compatible workflows. Materials for rendering are built up in an intuitive layered Shader Tree environment that is familiar to Adobe Photoshop artists.

Pricing and Availability
modo 201 is available now for the price of USD $895. Current modo users can upgrade to modo 201 for USD $395. modo 201 is available through Luxology and its worldwide reseller partners on both the Windows and Mac OSX platforms. To purchase, learn more about modo 201 or see a gallery of images, please visit www.modo3d.com or contact Luxology at (650) 378-8506.

About Luxology
Based in San Mateo, Calif., Luxology, LLC is an independent technology company developing next-generation 3D content creation software that enhances productivity via artist-friendly tools powered by a modern underlying architecture. Founded in 2002 by Allen Hastings, Stuart Ferguson and Brad Peebler, Luxology is home to some of the top 3D engineering expertise in the industry. For more information on Luxology, its flagship product modo, and the active modo community, please visit www.modo3d.com.

modo is a registered trademark of Luxology LLC., in the USA and/or other countries. All products or brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

® Copyright 2006 Luxology LLC

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Reader contact:
Luxology, LLC
1670 South Amphlett Blvd, Suite 214
San Mateo, CA 94402
(650) 378-8506
Info@luxology.com