Welcome Message
Welcome to the first edition of the Autodesk® Animation Newsletter. To ensure you get the information you want and need, we'll keep you posted about all that is new for Autodesk 3ds Max®, Autodesk Maya®, Autodesk® MotionBuilder™, and Autodesk VIZ®. This newsletter will go out every two months initially, but be sure to check for updates on and the newly launched community site between issues.
The Editors.
 
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Maya® 8 now shipping!
3ds Max® 9 shipping soon!
3ds Max Subscription Customers
Look out for your copy of 3ds Max 9 expected to be shipped to your door soon! Login to the Subscription Center to ensure your shipping information is up-to-date.
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Product Updates
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New features in Maya 8
An overview of core performance, productivity and pipeline efficiencies in Maya 8.
Check out our new product demonstrations focused on new enhancements, polygon tools and workflows, rendering and geometry caching
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Bonus Tools for Autodesk Maya 8 now available
Download this free collection of useful Maya scripts and plug-ins from AREA. Please log-in or register at this free website to access these tools.
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New features in 3ds Max 9
An overview of new features and specifications in
3ds Max 9.
Check out our new product demonstrations focused on animation layers, cloth, hair, mental ray® improvements, point cache and poly speed.
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Learning
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MotionBuilder Training
Free Online Autodesk MotionBuilder™ Training every Thursday at 1:00 pm, ET. One-hour sessions.
Learn best practices on how to use MotionBuilder features or enhancements in context. The virtual classroom training format uses predefined examples delivered by world-class Product Support Specialists.
Find detailed course descriptions and registration instructions.
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3ds Max Learning Paths
Choose the one that's right for you.
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Learning Autodesk Maya 8 | Foundation
Here's your key to unlock the power of Autodesk® Maya software.
Deconstructing the Elements with 3ds Max
Create natural fire, earth, air and water
without plug-ins.
3D tools for Photographers, Illustrators and Graphic Designers
Discover exciting new possibilities for your creative workflow.
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Community Showcase
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Listen to new AREAcasts with Autodesk Masters
Listen to recent audio interviews with 3ds Max Master, Borislav "Bobo" Petrov and Maya Master, TJ Galda. Please log-in, or register, to access these resources.
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View new video AREAcasts
The Microsoft Forza team used 3ds max to create a stunning and ultra-realistic racing game.
Monolith: Monoliths recently created two popular games F.E.A.R. and Condemned using a mixed pipeline of 3ds Max and Maya.
High Moon: High Moon studios used Maya software in the creation of the game DarkWatch.
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Making of Arcadia [3ds Max]
Benjamin Leitgeb shares how he started from a conceptual sketch, to modeling, composition, lighting and the finishing touches for this personal project.
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Paint Effects Series - Part 2
Isidro Fernandez's shows how to create a simple animation of growth of a tree in the foreground with wind blowing on grass, clouds and trees in the background. (Find Part 1,"Realtistic 3D Grass" on AREA.)
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Bulletins
AREA Growing Fast
A resounding "thanks" for the warm welcome visitors to AREA have given this new 3D animation portal. We thought you'd like to know how it's doing. Since its launch on August 22, offering free resources to artists like you, we can tell you that:
- There have been more than 35,000 unique registrations.
- Visitors have formed more than 100 member groups; most based either on geography or interest.
- The top three sections of AREA are: Tutorials; Downloads, and Showcase, in that order.
We’ve been receiving lots of feedback from you so keep it coming – some of this feedback is already helping to shape planning for AREA V2. We want to hear from you!
Follow this link to see the latest content on .
Special Notice to all former holders of a Silver membership
As you may know, Silver membership was recently discontinued as of July 31, 2006. As a result, annual memberships have been reimbursed.
Downloadable DVDs and the Hi-Res Textures and Shaders are now only available to holders of a Platinum membership. For more information about Platinum membership, visit
Tutorials once available with a Silver membership are now part of the AREA community website, where you will now find most of them; the remaining tutorials will be available soon.
As a valued member of the community, Autodesk remains committed to offering you the resources you need to master your tools and to connect with people who have similar interests.
AutoDesk® Animation Users' Group Association (AAUGA)
Our user group chapters are made up of, and run by, terrific people like you who get together to learn, network, and show off their work. Think of a user group as a private creative campus for artists who use Autodesk® Maya®, and/or Autodesk® 3ds Max®, and Autodesk® MotionBuilder™.
Are you interested in forming a user group chapter in your area? Would you like to know if there is a user group chapter near you?
We'd love to hear from you and tell you about the amazing benefits available whether as a president of a chapter or as a user group chapter member. .
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Events
North America:
Autodesk University - November 28th - December 1st Las Vegas
Interested in Design Visualization? Then this is place to learn!
"Make the Story Come Alive" 3D Software Roadshow Kicks Off in North America on October 5th
On October 5, 2006, Autodesk® kicks off its 3D Software Roadshow to celebrate our latest Autodesk 3ds Max® and Autodesk® Maya® product releases.
Europe:
"Ideas Realised" — Autodesk Maya 8 & 3ds Max 9 Tour
The Road shows in Europe, the Middle East and Africa are listed below. Mark your calendars and check back for registration information where indicated.
| Germany — Registration Now Open |
| Düsseldorf |
Friday, September 29 |
| Frankfurt am Main |
Thursday, October 5 |
| München |
Tuesday, October 10-12 |
| Hamburg |
Thursday, October 12 |
| Nürnberg |
Tuesday, October 17 |
| Leipzig |
Thursday, October 19 |
| Düsseldorf |
Friday, October 20 |
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Write to the editors
Send us feedback about the newsletter. .
Header image courtesy of Löic Zimmerman
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Autodesk, Maya, MotionBuilder, and 3ds Max are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. mental ray is a registered trademark of mental images GmbH, licensed for use by Autodesk, Inc. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. © 2006 Autodesk Inc. All rights reserved. Autodesk, Inc., 111 McInnis Parkway, San Rafael, California, 94903, USA |
