Luxology Llc. announced its Japanese distribution partnership with Mars Inc. Headquartered in Fukuoka, Japan, Mars will be the primary Japanese distributor for the Luxology product line starting with the highly anticipated modo, the powerful new subdivision surface and polygonal modeling platform. Mars will also handle localization, support, marketing and sales for Luxology products throughout the region. The English-language version of modo is available now through Mars, and the Japanese-language version will be available in January 2005.
"We are very excited to work with Luxology's talented and experienced team to distribute modo to the Japanese market," said Kenichi Shigetou, Mars president and ceo. "I've used a variety of 3D tools over the years, and modo is the first program that allows artists to focus on the art of content creation, rather than learning how to use the tool itself. modo's speed and ease of use represents a whole new concept in 3D modeling; it is destined to excite artists and create fresh market opportunities for creators moving into the 3D industry."
modo is a robust 3D modeling toolset designed to improve the polygonal and subdivision surface modeling aspects for 3D artists working on games, films, TV and Web productions. modo's realtime subdivision surface modeling engine and superior level of customizability, which includes hundreds of production-oriented tools, make it flexible enough to model everything ranging from organics and hard surfaces, to low-resolution realtime meshes and high-resolution film models.
"Having known several of the people at Mars for many years, I am very happy to be working with them in a distribution capacity," commented Brad Peebler, president and co-founder of Luxology. "They are artists working to support artists, and are very knowledgeable in the field of content creation software. As a result, I feel completely confident that they will be an excellent partner for Luxology in Japan, and will help us to spread the modo message throughout the country."
modo ships on a single disc supporting both Mac OS X and Windows, and sells for a suggested retail price of $895, with a limited-time introductory price of $695. For information on purchasing modo in Japan, visit www.mars-inc.net; to purchase through Luxology, visit the Luxology store at www.luxology.com/store.
Mars (www.mars-inc.net) was established in 2000 by Ken-ichi Shigetou, a member of the popular music group, "dob" (also known as "date of birth"). Mars has been involved in 3D content creation in various capacities for many years, and has produced video clips for television, games, Web, and print. They have a nationwide presence and are headquartered in Fukuoka, located in South Japan.
Based in San Mateo, California, Luxology, Llc. (www.luxology.com) is an independent technology company developing high-end 3D content creation tools that enhance productivity for artists working in the film, television, gaming and print industries. Luxology was founded in 2002 by Allen Hastings, Stuart Ferguson and Brad Peebler.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
