Turbo Squid's Stitch has been updated and renamed clothfx as a new Discreet-certified 3ds max plug-in. clothfx provides users with a multitude of advanced tools necessary to create realistic fabrics and tailor-made clothing for their characters and creatures. Modeling clothing can be done in two ways: creating the objects that represent cloth with standard 3ds max modeling methods and then applying the clothfx modifier to it; or by designing virtual clothing patterns in a more traditional way (artists can even import spline patterns from external applications) and stitching together various virtual panels to form a full garment.
Artists may also apply separate cloth properties to the various panels within their clothing for even more realism. With more than a dozen preset cloth types (like cotton, silk, wool, etc.) clothfx eliminates the potentially tedious task of refining how clothing behaves when applied.
Full collision detection (including cloth to cloth collisions) can be run providing instant feedback on how well cloth is performing during a simulation. Users may also stage simulations in sections to achieve the look that's perfect for their project.
"Versatile, powerful and intuitive are just a few thoughts that come to mind when I think of clothfx," notes Beau Perschall, vp of publishing for Turbo Squid. "Size8 Software has done an amazing job of taking a cloth simulation system with a deep and robust set of controls, and making it artist friendly. The garments it can create are spectacular, and the 3ds max community has already readily accepted it as the de facto standard. I'm excited by its addition to the DCP program, and look forward to seeing what uses it is put to by artists around the globe."
Michael S. Lee, partner program manager for Discreet, adds, "clothfx is an industry proven technology with a strong history, and this new version is a welcomed addition for anyone looking to do superior cloth simulations and effects. The release of clothfx is a true testament to the strength of the Discreet- certified 3ds max plug-in program and the value Turbo Squid brings to the 3ds max community."
clothfx has a suggested retail price $595, and is available from Turbo Squid at www.turbosquid.com/dcpstore from Discreet at www.discreet.com/products/3dsmax/dcp or from authorized resellers around the world. For a reseller near you, contact sales@turbosquid.com.
Working together, Discreet and Turbo Squid are carefully selecting third party solutions that bring compelling value to 3ds max artists. These plug-ins are subjected to stringent testing procedures defined by Discreet to ensure each plug-in works well with 3ds max software and other Discreet-certified 3ds max Plug-ins. Discreet-certified 3ds max plug-ins are backed up by an online support system implemented by Turbo Squid, including developer-moderated forums, FAQs, tutorials, demos and the latest product information for Discreet 3ds max artists.
Founded in January 2000, Turbo Squid (www.turbosquid.com) is dedicated to the management and distribution of digital assets and other relevant content for 3D and 2D designers and creative professionals. Turbo Squid provides a global market for digital assets by enabling individual and corporate users to list, promote and sell their content to users around the world. In 2003, Turbo Squid was named as the exclusive publisher and worldwide distributor for the Discreet-certified 3ds max Plug-in program. Turbo Squid is a privately held company with financial backing from Advantage Capital Partners, The Eastman Kodak Co. and Intel Capital.
Discreet's (www.discreet.com) award-winning solutions are designed for digital media creation, management and delivery-across all disciplines from film and television visual effects, color grading and editing to animation, game development, Web/interactive and design visualization. Discreet, based in Montreal, Quebec - is a division of Autodesk Inc, a leading design and digital media creation, management and distribution company.
Size8 Software (www.size8software.com) was formed in 2000 with the mission to bring realistic cloth and garment simulation to the computer graphics, apparel and related industries. Its technology is used in applications ranging from virtual garment design to simulating clothing on animated characters for commercials, game cinematics and film effects.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
