Discreet Announces 3DS Max 6

Discreet unveiled 3DS Max 6 today at Siggraph in San Diego. Reportedly based on customer feedback, new features for the venerable 3D modeling and animation package include advanced schematic view for better viewing and management of complex scenes; the inclusion of Mental Ray rendering software; vertex color painting; design visualization tools and interchange support with Autodesk and other computer-aided design (CAD) and CAD-related solutions; integrated Havok-based Reactor 2 physics featuring "stuntman" and vehicle dynamics; distributed network texture baking; and features that provide greater accessibility to programmers and scripters. Also included in the release will be a particle flow system for creating fountains, fog, snow, splashes, contrails, explosions, and other environmental effects. Discreet announced a $3,495 price tag for 3DS Max 6. Upgrades from Max 5 will be $795, $1,295 to upgrade from Max 4. 3DS Max 6 is scheduled to ship in the fall.