Wave Issue 0105 1/26/01 Article 3-02

***Discreet Ships 3ds max 4
(January 24)

Discreet, a division of Autodesk, has announced that it has begun
shipping 3ds max 4, the latest version of its 3D modeling,
animation, and rendering program. 3ds max 4 delivers efficient
and creative workflow for character animation, next-generation
game development and visual effects production. 3ds max 4 is
available now for a suggested retail price of US $3,495.

3ds max 4 delivers an extensible character animation
architecture, game development tools, and rendering productivity
with ActiveShade, Render Elements and support for Direct 3D
technology. These advancements give animators a flexible and
realistic working environment for rich media content creation-
whether for motion picture special effects, 3D Web production, or
next-generation game development for PC game titles or gaming
consoles such as Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation 2 or Nintendo
GAMECUBE.

The 3ds max SDK (software developers kit) and maxscript language
expand in version 4, building upon Discreet's commitments to
extensibility and open-source compliance. Building upon the SDK,
and included in 3ds max 4, is the web studio cd set-an integrated
set of Web developers tools from Cycore, Pulse, RichFX and
Viewpoint-companies that make putting 3D content on the web easy.
In addition, Discreet continues to deliver Macromedia Flash
content creation with the Vecta 3D-MAX vector animation renderer
from Ideaworks 3D. This limited promotional offering gives 3ds
max artists the ability to create 3D effects for their Flash
movies, complete with multi-level cartoon shading.

Discreet continues increases the synergy of 2D and 3D with
integration between 3ds max and combustion, Discreet's unified 3D
compositing and resolution independent paint software for the
Macintosh and Windows NT desktop. A full- function demo version
of combustion is now included within 3ds max, allowing animators
to experience using combustion for manipulating assets in their
3D scene and manipulating 3D-rich data within combustion.

The suggested retail price for 3ds max 4 is US$3,495. Upgrade
price from 3ds max 3 is US$795.