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Modo 401 Released. Whips Reality Right Upside the Head.

by Josh on June 22, 2009 · Comments

What has Fur, Bumps, stereoscopic 3D support and reeks of SolidWorks Import possibilities? The brand new version of Luxology’s modeling/rendering/animation package, modo 401. Yes, all of that, in one integrated tool.

Since first being show early this year, many a rendering fanatic has been anticipating the new rendering capabilities, while deep in the lair of Luxology’s San Mateo Headquarters, they were cooking up modeling and import features that would give reality an intense beat down. There’s a lot to the software, so take a deep breath of volumetric lighting and prepare to be forcefully ray-traced.

All-in-one
The new features in modo 401 are certainly impressive. The rendering does indeed look phenomenal and who doesn’t want to be able to instantly replicate geometry. For many, it’s a tedious workflow to go from one process to the other, modeling to materials to rendering to animation and back around again if something changes. What Luxology has done, is combine that process into a single interface where each step can be touch at anytime throughout.

For SolidWorks Users
In modo 401, Luxology introduces the SolidWorks importer which allows a SolidWorks model to be brought directly into modo. For SolidWorks users, this becomes a very powerful way to produce rendering of their existing model. It does break the link between SolidWorks and modo, but brings in all the materials assigned via SolidWorks. The workflow is the same as that for bringing a model into PhotoView 360, which also runs on Luxology’s Nexus technology and will be seeing an impressive revamp for 2010.

Oh, by the way, this software, the whole package cost $995.00 out the door. That’s one of the most impressive features to me.

Get the grand tour at Luxology or press on to see some video and images.

Rich Hurrey and Michael Blacbourn modo 401 Tank Rendering and Animation from Solidsmack on Vimeo.

Trees wth Snow using Fur and Replicators by Juan J. Gonzalez

Trees wth Snow using Fur and Replicators by Juan J. Gonzalez

Andy B

Boot stitch image credit to Andy Brown

Photoview 360

Boombox by Greg Leuenberger

Brad Peebler

Brad Peebler

Greg L

SunMicrostation by Greg Leuenberger

Yazan

Curve Rendering by Yazan Malkosh

Full Disclosure: SolidSmack was given a web introduction to the new features in Modo 401. Most likely we will receive a reveiw pack to test out the functionality and report further on the modeling and import functionality with SolidWorks.

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Comments

Tagged as: 3d renderings, luxology, modo 401, stereoscopic 3d

  • Chris Serran
    The SolidWorks importer is only supported on 401 x32. I've installed both x32 and x64 as a workaround for now.
    Open the SolidWorks model in x32, save it and then open the file in x64.
  • I'm curious to see how easy (or difficult) it is to create assembly animations with modo 401's SolidWorks importer. The replicator function is quite amazing (wish I could apply that to the money in my bank account and see it grow).
  • no kidding about a 'money replicator' - From what I've seen, setting up animations for any 'assembly' model is time-consuming depending on the complexity you want, but easy to apply the animation. There are also presets being shared in the modo community
  • That animation looks quite impressive. I wonder/wish will we see some of these features come through to PV360.
    /me crosses fingers
  • Yes, tank animation is awesome. I've been waiting for this. If the rendering/animation is as fast/good as the products from Bunkspeed, this may be the lethal weapon I've been looking for.

    What about assemblies? I haven't had time to read the literature, but does it have tools for creating and manipulating the assemblies? I'm assuming it does, seeing that tank vid.
  • Hey Bruce, what I particularly like about this product is the ability to switch between task - model/render/animation - anytime through the process. I'll report more on after I've had a chance to play with it a bit more.
  • Looks good, I like escpecially the last render with the depth field. And the realistic plywood. There is only one thing wrong with that render and it is the reflection he used a blu sky for reflection a bit wierd for this kind of products.
    The modo music box is also very cool even the mold split nades (don't really know the correct english word for that). This shows that those nades aren't very well placed, so this would need a correction to the model before it is made in real life. If that was the purpose of that, that would be awesome and save a lot of money and ugly products!

    btw about: Luxology introduces the SolidWorks importer which allows a SolidWorks model to be brought directly into modo.
    That importer should not be necessary, it is something that solidworks lacks of, the importer should be part of solidworks and should be able to export to (decent) WRML or other filetypes.
    edit:Is there any trial for us to play with?
  • I see what you mean by the reflection. would have looked better with simply a matte plastic. Easy enough to change though, drag and drop.

    Have you tried the collada exporter for solidworks? I'm wondering if that would give you better results?
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