Houdini 9.5: new version of 3D-editor

25th July 2008

Side Effects Software Company has announced the release of new version of its 3D-editor Houdini 9.5 for Mac, Windows and Linux platforms. Version for Mac is available for the first time. The developers assert that versions of the program for different platforms are compatible with each other at most, so that 3D-animators won`t have any problems when changing a platform. Among the innovations of the version 9.5 is the export to Autodesk FBX, due to which compatibility with Maya and 3ds Max programs is provided. When exporting to FBX information about geometry, lighting, cameras, animation, hierarchical relationships, skeleton, UV-coordinates, partitions and dynamic interactions is preserved. Import from FBX, presented in the version Houdini 9.1 supports now NURBS. Also it`s worth noting the import of files of Adobe Illustrator and eps, preservation of data in .MDD format, which is used for data exchange with Lightwave. The program has new tools of imitating liquid, effects related to fire and smoke, creating fur. Besides, Houdini 9.5 supports the display of shadows in the projection window. Houdini 9 is released in two versions: Houdini Escape, which is available at a price of $2000, and Houdini Master - at a price of $8000. The second differs for the availability of tools for creating dynamics and visual effects with partitions. In addition, there is training versions of Houdini Apprentice and Houdini Apprentice HD.