The bridge tool comes in handy for specific, complex modeling projects.

One of the most welcome additions in this upgrade is the new UV to EPS export. Mapping is always tedious but never more so than when trying to line up a texture precisely, as in a vehicle, for example. This functionality comes in the form of an export script: perhaps not the most elegant solution, it still works well. Materials are handled via the Material Editor, a somewhat less intuitive portion of the program. By comparison, the Material Editor has a reasonable learning curve. This isn’t horrible, as once the process is understood material use is flexible. Another small failing in regard to materials is the sample files provided with modo. One of the first things I do when I get a new app is check out the samples. This is the best way to get a quick feel for an app, but unfortunately Luxology doesn’t agree or was just too busy to provide them. This may be nitpicking, since the absence certainly doesn’t hurt the app itself. Still, I hope to see fully mapped samples in the next release.

Most of what modo does well can be attributed to the well thought out user interface. There are some obvious buttons that use iconography, but it’s hard to argue that cubes, spheres, cylinders and the like would be more recognizable via text buttons. On the other hand, try to come up with an icon that communicates “subdivision surfaces mode” universally and you’ll quickly realize the appeal of text buttons. My favorite UI innovation in modo is the Work Plane, a ghosted plane that displays along the most relevant axis, or locks to a user prescribed axis. This Work Plane helps to further orient the user in 3D space by displaying a light grid that shifts axis depending on the user’s perspective, or, if chosen, remains in place as the user rotates. Another great feature, although more common among many 3D apps, is the pie menu accessible through the “control + spacebar” shortcut. This pie menu is customizable and can be set up to provide quick access to any tool or mode within modo. Mouse button and keyboard combos allow the user to rotate, pan and zoom as expected. However, the lack of mouse wheel support is disappointing. A few years ago, mouse wheels were still new and therefore ignored in some apps, but today they are so common and their use so ingrained that the absence here is significant. I hope Luxology will remedy this in the next revision.

modo’s documentation is wonderful. Provided with the app is a nearly 500-page PDF file covering all aspects of the software. Tutorials, example files and Web links complement the reference guide. Another clue to Luxology’s respect and commitment to their users is found in the user guide. Not only is the information complete and well-written, they have also gone beyond the sometimes dry topics to include interesting tidbits that make perusing the guide enjoyable in its own right. For example, the entry on the teapot goes into its history as a standard 3D object used for testing purposes. Sure, this is a throwaway factoid, but it might just perk up a late night modo session. Full color images are plentiful throughout the guide.

modo is still a very young app, yet its user community is already thriving. The usual online 3D forums all contain lively modo discussions. Luxology has its own dedicated forum boasting thousands of posts. Users may not receive the immediate response to a question in either of these places, but the community is supportive, eager and sure to reply within a reasonable time. Reading through various posts it seems that Luxology provides good quality support both in response time and quality. However, I had no need for their support, surely a very good sign.

modo is a welcome entry to the crowded 3D modeling and texturing software field. At the current price of $695, slated to rise to $895 after the introductory period, modo should be considered by both individual artists and large productions. It is a solid app that provides significant speed, along with a very low learning curve. Luxology seems to be one of those rare companies that understands the need to provide more than a working tool. They provide a comprehensive tool that is flexible and eye pleasing as well. I hope that modo sticks around for a while. With this early release already a contender, I can hardly wait for future revisions.

Fred Galpern is currently the art manager for Blue Fang Games in Waltham, MA. Since entering the video game field six years ago, Galpern has held management positions in several game and entertainment companies, including Hasbro and Looking Glass Studios. He began his art career as a comic book creator and also has professional graphic design experience. He has created characters and developed stories for numerous children’s television series. Galpern has satisfied his long-standing interest in education by teaching at several New England colleges. He is currently an adjunct instructor at Bristol Community College, where he created the gaming curriculum, and where he also teaches and advises for the electronic games certificate and associates degree programs.