You want to talk cloud computing? iray, the interactive renderer from mental images, looked impressive running with Bunkspeed SHOT 3D for beautiful, realtime images, as well as with 3ds Max in a test demo (no plans yet, though, for bundling with the Autodesk software).

Other highlights:

• The rejuvenation of LightWave, thanks to the passion and creativity of Rob Powers, who, in his new role as NewTek's VP of 3D development, is trying to leverage his innovative experience on Avatar by delivering the Virtual Art Department to the average production. Thanks to the new LightWave 10 (with the InterSense VCam), the industry might now have a complete solution for virtual production.

• Houdini 11 from Side Effects offers new Flip fluid solver, dynamic fracturing (using Voroni-based algorithm) and new interactive lighting and rendering (with OpenGL)

• StudioGPU's MachStudio Pro 2 with new RenderMan and MetaSL support opens the door for fluid 3D workflow and realtime rendering on the CPU, GPU or both.

• Southpaw's new Tactic 3.0 DAM system offers a more holistic approach to defining the lifespan of assets from concept design to creation.

 

Then there's Autodesk, which is offering new Entertainment Creation Suites next month as part of its own cost-conscious effort (Maya or 3ds Max along with Softimage, MotionBuilder and Mudbox).

"We are witnessing the Avatar effect with virtual movie making," suggests Autodesk's Rob Hoffmann. "We are in the process of rethinking pipelines and previs and stereo 3-D pipeline issues in an effort to be more productive and cost-conscious."

Bill Desowitz is senior editor of AWN & VFXWorld.