Autodesk Mudbox 2010: Sculpting 3D Digital Clay
Posted by LisaHill - 30/11/09 at 05:11 pm
Subject Matter: Creating 3D animation characters and props for Beginners to Experts
Grades: Middle School to College, Animation Designers and Studios
Easy-to-Learn How to Create 3D Animation Characters
Put a piece of clay in your hands. Can you resist shaping the clay? With Autodesk’s Mudbox 2010, this application lets artists regain the feel of working clay and paint, without the messy clean up. Mudbox 2010 allows beginners to experts the freedom to digitally mold and paint pre-sculpted, or geometric objects into 3D characters and props. Your imagination is the only factor limiting creativity and design.
By watching the four mini-tutorial videos (40-60 seconds long), within minutes users can start sculpting with Mudbox 2010. It’s that easy to begin learning, but don’t think this application doesn’t have the scope and prowess expert animators require. Autodesk recommends a drawing tablet with stylus, however a three-button mouse can used.
New for Mudbox 2010
These highlights list a few new features within Autodesk Mudbox 2010:
- Adobe Photoshop interoperability – Mudbox 2010 can export paint layers as PSD files for touch up or modification in Photoshop and then import the edited PSD files
- Autodesk FBX support – artists can import and export significant data containing more information than the standard OBJ file format
- New sculpting and painting tools – new paintbrushes, stencils, 3D paint performance, display textures without filtering, and new viewpoint filters
- Images rendered direct from viewport – allows faster access to high-quality images for design previews
- Software development kit (SDK)
Interoperability – Key to Efficient Workflow
Mudbox 2010 allows users to integrate their work with Adobe Photoshop, plus Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, and Softimage software programs. With the Software Development Kit (SDK), Mudbox 2010 can be integrated into additional workflow pipelines using different applications.
Interoperability
Adobe Photoshop
In Photoshop, artists apply their skills in two dimensions (2D), whereas animators design multidimensional objects (3D). Mudbox 2010’s versatility allows paint layers to be exported as a Photoshop file (PSD) , modified within Photoshop, and then re-imported back into Mudbox. A 2D-artist can fine tune the paint layers with all the tools available in Adobe Photoshop, saving 3D-artists time to create other characters or props. Exporting an image of the character, or prop allows artists to add context and fine tune the paint layer within Adobe Photoshop. This interoperability between Adobe Photoshop, a leading image editing tool, and Autodesk Mudbox 2010 enables users to add Photoshop’s broad and powerful tool sets in creating realistic, or fantastical characters and props.
Autodesk Applications
With Autodesk FBX support, 3D objects and props created in Autodesk 3ds Max, Maya and Softimage can be exported as an FBX file, which can be imported into Mudbox 2010. These 3D characters and props can then be curved, molded, painted and fine tuned using Mudbox 2010’s broad selection of intuitive painting and sculpting tools. The finished character, or prop can then be exported as a FBX file for animation into Maya, or 3dsMax. For example, design a magnificent, pristine Greek column in Maya, export the object file into Mudbox 2010, then quickly mold and paint to appear cracked and war ravaged.
New Tools – More Fun
Imagine sitting in front of a 3D creation, with multiple brushes at your fingertips. Digitally scale a creature’s forearm, or clone existing paint on both flanks creating futuristic 3D creatures. Autodesk’s Mudbox 2010 provides a delightful array of brushes, stencils, stamps and other tools to visually enhance 3D objects. Add soft, muted shadows or hard detailed edges, without the extra work and cost.
Dry Brush
For Mudbox 2010, Autodesk offers a 30-day free trial, outstanding online tutorials and support to launch yourself into 3D sculpting. As noted earlier, four mini-tutorial videos are included in the application, however, advanced tutorial videos and documents require internet access. No need to scrub off clay under the fingernails, or paint stains on your hands. Autodesk Mudbox 2010 enables artists clean, digital sculpting fun for budding beginners to artistic experts.
System Requirements: Apple® Mac OS® X 10.5.7; Windows Vista Business (SP1) and Windows XP Professional (SP2) for 32-bit system; Windows Vista Business (SP1) and Windows XP x64 Edition (SP2) for 64-bit system. For the latest list of Mudbox 2010 qualified hardware, including graphics cards, refer to Autodesk’s qualified Hardware chart.
Contact: www.autodesk.com
Cost: $745 Full Version; $375 Mudbox 2009 Upgrade. Contact Autodesk for Education Pricing.
