“Softimage Mod Tool gives the next generation of game artists access to professional tools, so they can learn while making their own games or game mods,” said Marc Stevens, Autodesk Media & Entertainment vice president, games. “Game developers can also use the software to extend the life of a game by building a community of modders. Game mods can go on to become commercial games in their own right, and they can be used by developers to identify talent for recruiting purposes.”

New Features in Autodesk Softimage Mod Tool 7.5
o New learning materials: Softimage Mod Tool 7.5 comes with training
materials from Noesis Interactive. These materials show users how to create a character and export it for use in Microsoft XNA Games Studio 3.0.

o New real-time shading API (application programming interface): Softimage
Mod Tool 7.5 supports the Realtime Shader API version 3.0, which helps make real-time shader development simpler and more flexible. The new version offers an architecture focused on programmable shaders (GLSL, HLSL) and file-based effects (CgFX and DxFX). With these capabilities, what game developers see in Softimage Mod Tool is what they get in the game.

o Interactive Creative Environment (ICE): ICE is an open, scalable platform
that enables artists to extend the capabilities of Softimage more quickly and intuitively using a node-based dataflow diagram. Artists can now quickly create complex 3D effects and tools without writing code.

o Support for Windows Vista operating system: Autodesk Softimage Mod Tool
7.5 now supports the Windows Vista Business operating system.

Autodesk Softimage Mod Tool (formerly XSI Mod Tool) software is a free 3D modeling and animation package for creating non‐commercial games and “modding” (modifying games). Softimage Mod Tool 7.5 is based on the same professional toolset found in Autodesk Softimage 7.5, used by game developers to create 3D characters, levels, props and animation. Game developers can use Softimage Mod Tool toextend the life of games and recruit talent with a modding community using. Softimage Mod Tool 7.5 exports to Microsoft XNA and add‐ons are available that enable export to Crytek CryENGINE 2, Valve Source and Epic Unreal Engine 3.

Realtime Shading API
Softimage Mod Tool 7.5 gives users unprecedented power in a free tool. A new realtime shading API
supports programmable shaders (GLSL, HLSL) and file‐based effects (CgFX and DxFX). This gives game
developers “what you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG) abilities when programming custom shader
effects, so that what you see in Softimage Mod Tool, is what you get in the game.

ICE – now in Mod Tool!
ICE (Interactive Creative Environment) is an open, scalable platform that enables you to extend the
capabilities of Softimage more quickly and intuitively using a node‐based dataflow diagram. This
paradigm means that 3D artists can create complex 3D effects and tools extremely quickly without
writing code.

Create Compelling 3D Content for Microsoft XNA and Major Game Engines Softimage Mod Tool 7.5 can export 3D models and animation for use with the Microsoft XNA Game Studio 3 framework. Fledgling or independent game developers now have access to a professional toolset for creating original games on the Microsoft Xbox console or Windows platform.

Users can also download add-ons for content export to Crytek CryENGINE 2, Epic Unreal Engine 3 and Valve Source game engines. With this professional 3D toolset modders can produce characters and props for their favorite game.

Commercial Version for Microsoft Xbox Live Community Games Available Autodesk Softimage Mod Tool Pro 7.5 software is functionally identical to the Mod Tool, but has an End User License Agreement that allows users to produce assets for games sold via Microsoft’s Xbox Live Community Games.
Autodesk Softimage Mod Tool Pro 7.5 is available only with Microsoft’s XNA Creator’s Club Premium membership. For more information visit http://creators.xna.com.

Availability
Autodesk anticipates that Softimage Mod Tool 7.5 software will be available in April 2009. For more information, visit www.softimage.com/products/modtool.

*Free products are subject to the terms and conditions of the end-user license agreement that accompanies the software.

Autodesk Softimage and XSI are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. 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.

Main Header Image Credit
Fable II – Angry Hobbes
Image courtesy of Lionhead Studios.

The Best of the Best Show Reel will be showcased at NAB, the National Association of Broadcasters Convention, from April 20-23, 2009, in Las Vegas. It will be featured in the Autodesk booth and on the exhibition floor. The deadline for video content submissions is Wednesday, March 4, 2009.

Autodesk is also interested in receiving high-resolution images – up to 300 dpi – for inclusion in its marketing material leading up to and surrounding the show. The deadline for imagery submission is Monday, February 16, 2009.

For more information, or to submit content, please visit: Autodesk NAB Submissions

The deadline for submitting imagery is Monday, February 16, 2009.

The deadline for submitting video content is Wednesday, March 4, 2009.

http://usa.autodesk.com

Comments from Headlight:
The agency had developed the concept of the underwater woman with a ribbon and had featured it in other body wash campaigns. In previous spots, however, the ribbons had a more passive role; for Zeros In, the goal was to bring in a new level of `artificial intelligence’ (a term coined by director Sue Worthy) to the ribbons.

They were on a mission – seek out and target dry skin areas – so our challenge was to really bring the ribbons to life while maintaining the soft, beautiful quality of chiffon underwater. The process required complex fabric simulation and adapting traditional location techniques to an underwater environment.

Depth and caustic lighting passes were necessary to really sell the idea that everything existed in this underwater world. We worked very closely with both Saatchi art director Lisa Bet and director Sue Worthy in creating just the right look and feel of our ribbons.

This year, Autodesk are particularly interested in high-definition (HD) material. Of course, video submissions in other formats are still most welcome. The Games Show Reel will be showcased at GDC 2009, March 25 – 27, 2009, in San Francisco. It will be featured in the Autodesk booth and on the exhibition floor. The deadline for video content submissions is Friday, February 6, 2009.

Show Off Your High-Res Images
Autodesk are also interested in receiving high-resolution images—up to 300 dpi—for inclusion in their marketing material leading up to and surrounding the show.

How to Submit Your Work
To learn more about how to submit your work, including contact information and procedures to follow for submission follow this link: http://usa.autodesk.com

Visit Autodesk at GDC 2009
Visit Autodesk at Moscone Center, North Hall, booth # 5716.