Last month was packed with significant news in the world of 3D software. We’ll be covering the highlights, including updates to popular tools like Cinema 4D, Marmoset Toolbag, Cascadeur, FumeFX, and more. Plus, we have news from Unity, ZBrush, and Epic Games.
For the latest updates on 3D news, check out CG Vortex, where you’ll find everything about the 3D industry.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Marmoset Toolbag 5.0 Beta Release
Marmoset Toolbag 5 Beta Download
Watch the Beta Features
Marmoset has launched the public beta for Toolbag 5, introducing substantial improvements. Notably, UDIM support is now available across baking, texturing, and rendering. Some of the most exciting new features include:
- Bevel shader and interactive baking
- Vector layers, sync points, and carve groups for texturing
- Hybrid rendering mode and realistic hair and fur rendering
The UI has also been streamlined, making navigation smoother than ever.
Cinema 4D 2025: Redshift and More
Cinema 4D 2025 Release Overview
Cinema 4D 2025 has brought some substantial updates, especially the inclusion of Redshift, the GPU-accelerated renderer, in the main subscription. Alongside this change, Cinema 4D’s subscription cost has increased by $15. New features include:
- Particle system enhancements (e.g., new follow-spline modifier and point emitter)
- Pyro system upgrades and Rigid body dynamics improvements
- User interface and asset browser updates
Plasticity 2024.2: New CAD Capabilities
Plasticity 2024.2 Overview | New Features
Plasticity 2024.2, the CAD software for 3D modeling, has introduced several powerful new features:
- Mesh snapping and deform options
- Support for importing SVG files
- Square commands for generating quad-sided surfaces
- Reverse engineering support with scanned models
These updates make Plasticity more versatile and user-friendly for designers and engineers alike.
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Unity Scraps Runtime Fees
In one of the most talked-about news pieces this month, Unity has reversed its controversial decision to charge developers runtime fees based on game installs. Starting January 1st, 2025, Unity will return to a subscription-based pricing model. However, subscription prices have risen:
- Pro version prices increased by 8%
- Enterprise version prices increased by 25%
FumeFX 6.5: Fluid Dynamics Plugin Update
FumeFX 6.5 for 3ds Max Overview
FumeFX 6.5 has rolled out exciting updates for fluid simulations in 3ds Max, Maya, and Cinema 4D. Key updates include:
- GPU-accelerated PBD liquid simulations
- Improved Spline force and ISurf nodes
- Enhanced file caching system for better performance
These updates enhance FumeFX’s ability to handle complex simulations more efficiently.
Cascadeur 2024.2: Animation Upgrades
The latest update for Cascadeur brings significant enhancements, including:
- Blend Shape support for imported models
- New swing motion support for character physics
- AutoPosing improvements and scene-related enhancements
These updates continue to make Cascadeur a go-to tool for animators working on realistic character movements.
ZBrush for iPad: Sculpting on the Go
Finally, ZBrush is now available on the iPad, and it’s free! This iPad version retains core features like ZRemesher, Sculptris Pro, and DynaMesh, along with over 200 digital sculpting brushes. With a cleaner interface optimized for mobile, sculptors now have the freedom to create anywhere.
Epic Games Announces FAB: A Unified Platform
Epic Games has announced the consolidation of Sketchfab, Quixel, Unreal Marketplace, and ArtStation Marketplace into a new platform called FAB. FAB will support multiple game engines and offer a real-time 3D viewer, among other features.
The migration begins in October 2024, and assets from these platforms will now be licensed under Creative Commons or Epic’s standard license, with sellers receiving 88% of revenue.
Megascans Are Free Until 2025
In conjunction with the launch of FAB, Quixel Megascans, the world’s largest 3D asset library, will be free for all users until the end of 2024. Previously, it was only free for Unreal Engine users, but now all artists and developers can access high-quality 3D assets.
Godot 3.6 Release
Godot 3.6 has been officially released, catering to both high-end and low-end users. Some of the key improvements include:
- Scene tree updates
- Improved performance in the 3D editor and 2D physics
- Shadow rendering optimizations
These updates offer more flexibility to developers who are still using the Godot 3.x series.
Unreal Engine 5.5 Preview
The latest preview of Unreal Engine 5.5 includes exciting features like:
- Nanite support for skeletal meshes
- Improvements to Lumen, including a new ray-traced denoiser
- The introduction of Mega Lights, which supports thousands of dynamic shadow-casting lights in real time
This update further pushes the boundaries of real-time rendering technology.
Resources:
- CG Vortex – Your go-to platform for the latest 3D industry news.
- ArtStation Marketplace – Find and sell assets before the migration to FAB.
- Megascans Library – Access high-resolution 3D assets for free until the end of 2024.
- Blender Foundation – A free and open-source 3D creation suite.
This blog post covers some of the biggest updates in the world of 3D software and tools. Stay tuned for more exciting news in the months to come!
