DAZ Prods. Inc. announced the immediate availability of DAZ Hexagon 2, its newly acquired 3D polygonal and subdivision modeling software. DAZ acquired Eovia Corp. along with the Hexagon and Carrara technology on April 13
Our very recent acquisition of Eovia has put DAZ at the forefront of change within the 3D industry, said Dan Farr, president of DAZ Productions. The biggest part of this shift is breaking down perceptions about the tools professional artists should use, and proving that it is no longer only a field for the elite. Coinciding with this, DAZ is now putting its name on the new Hexagon 2, a highly accessible yet expert modeling tool that represents a grand evolution in its own right.
The Hexagon 2 modeling software delivers a highly intuitive and augmented set of tools for modeling, refining, UV mapping, texturing and previewing detailed 3D creations. Its freehand brush modeling capabilities provide a breadth of displacement brushes to refine 3D models by smoothing, pinching, and inflating the geometry or by adding high-resolution details. A complete UV-mapping module including one-click UV-Unwrap enables 3D artists to easily apply UV-maps on 3D objects. Through the new 3D paint tools, users can apply textures using brushes and imported textures or choose from a large choice of predefined textures.
Hexagon 2 now also is compatible with popular graphics tablets for more precise and flexible results. To speed workflow, the software delivers immediate previews of finished models by way of ultra-fast ambient occlusion simulating global illumination and realtime shadows. Once a 3D model created in Hexagon 2 is ready for rendering, it can be seamlessly exported into most any rendering software application including DAZs powerful and approachable 3D workhorse, Carrara. Hexagon 2 is available for both Macintosh OS X and Windows.
In conjunction with the Hexagon 2 release, DAZ has announced a limited time promotion, which ends May 31, providing the electronic download version (ESD) of Hexagon 2 at the DAZ webstore for the nominal price of $1.99 for new and current members of DAZs Platinum Club. Initial cost to join the Platinum Club is $29.95, with a monthly renewal fee of $7.95. Alternatively, members can choose to join for an entire year with a flat fee of $99.95. After the special offer ends for Hexagon 2, after the software will be priced at $269 for the full version or $119 for the upgrade from Hexagon 1. As a thank you to customers who pre-ordered the Hexagon 2 upgrade, DAZ will provide them a free one-month Platinum Club membership with an option to renew, a $30 value, along with a $100 voucher, which can be used on the DAZ store.
Physical versions of Hexagon 2 are expected to begin shipping in June. Eovia Corp. introduced Hexagon 1 in spring 2005. Eovia announced Hexagon 2 and its new features just last month.
Founded in 2000, DAZ Prods. (www.daz3d.com), a privately-held company located in Draper, Utah, is a market leader in 3D software and digital content creation. The companys model library contains high-quality 3D content at competitive prices. DAZ also develops powerful software applications that support its content, including DAZ|Studio, a free 3D digital art creation tool, Mimic, a lip-synching application and Bryce, a complete 3D environment and animation package. DAZs products have been used in many professional productions, television shows and print publications, such as X-MEN 2, SPIDER-MAN, AVERAGE JOE, 48 HOURS, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, POPULAR SCIENCE, SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN and the History Channel.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
