e-on software's Q4 2019 quarterly release adds procedural material baking to PBR standards, cloud morphing, real-world terrain import, PlantFactory importers for 3ds Max and Maya (technology preview), 10 botanically accurate vegetation species, over 250 new content assets, and over 60 additional feature, performance and user experience enhancements.
A new free trial version is also available of its VUE and PlantFactory software which includes all the updates from R4.
The full release note details are available online at https://info.e-onsoftware.com/release-notes-december-2019
Real-World terrains
This brand-new option allows the end user to select any location on the planet and extract the underlying terrain altitude data. Depending on the available data set, terrain elevation data can go as low as 3 meters between samples. Extracted height maps are then automatically converted to either height-field terrains or procedural terrains to allow for finer artistic control.
VDB export of animated clouds (1) and new cloud morphing technology
Users can now export cloud animations – both standalone clouds (MetaClouds) or volumetric cloud layers - as animated VDBs (one VDB file per frame). In addition, the R4 release adds a new feature to morph two MetaClouds together. This new technology automatically creates a smooth interpolation between the two cloud geometries and material looks.
Procedural material baking to PBR texture maps (1)
Users may now bake and export the Metallic/Roughness PBR channels from their authored procedural materials to texture maps. The generic UV unwrapper and UV packing algorithms were greatly optimized, allowing for up to x15 baking speed gain (depending on mesh size and resolution). The exported texture maps now benefit from a new color bleed blending algorithm (smudge and mean average color filler) to reduce visible seams when remapping meshes in 3rd party applications.
PlantFactory importers for 3ds Max and Maya (1)
With this new release, e-on software introduces the first technology preview of its upcoming native importer plugins, starting with dedicated importers for PlantFactory content. The plugins allow for loading, editing health, maturity and season as well as published parameters and converting native PlantFactory content within the host application, without going through any baking or exporting processed.
The initial plugins are compatible with 3ds Max 2019-2020 and Maya 2019 (windows only). In 3ds Max, the plugin can generate materials for these renderers: V-Ray Next, Scanline, ART Renderer. In Maya, only V-Ray Next is supported for now. Other host applications and renderers will be supported soon while the company continues to expand its interoperability developments.
Other notable new features in VUE and PlantFactory R4
As with previous quarterly releases, e-on software has also added many other new features and UI/UX enhancements such as:
- Rewritten and optimized FBX format import,
- Substance compatibility enhancements: support for multi-graph .sbsar, updated SDK to version 7, support for animated .sbsar files, support for several additional .sbsar inputs,
- Path tracer renderer now supports orthographic projection, film offset and renders multi-pass channels,
- New LOD selection mechanism based on referenced length,
- Numerous updates to Python scripting options,
- Added compatibility with MacOS Catalina,
- And a lot more
(1) Export and Integration Plugins are only available in Professional and Enterprise solutions
Plant Catalog Collection update (2)
This Q4 2019 release also offers a new batch of 10 HD and LD - botanically accurate - vegetation species, including:
- Coniferous: Picea abies, Sequoiadendron giganteum, Thuja plicata, Tsuga mertensiana
- Bushes: Lupinus arboreus, Tamarix gallica
- Palms: Hyophorbe lagenicaulis
- Perennials: Bellis perennis, Lupinus polyphyllus, Juncus effusus 'Spiralis'
(2) PlantCatalog compatibility is currently in Enterprise solutions only
New collection items
e-on software continues to progressively release its owned content collection formerly sold on Cornucopia3D to users of its new software solutions. The R4 release therefore includes a new batch of over 250 3D assets comprised of atmospheres, materials, vehicles, animals, sample scenes etc.
Availability
The new update is available for download as a free software update for all registered users of the company’s VUE and PlantFactory solutions. Users will find the software update and the PlantCatalog download links on their user account page (under the Software Center tab)
The Q4 2019 trial versions are also immediately available at no cost from https://info.e-onsoftware.com/try.
All VUE and PlantFactory software titles are available in English, French and German and perform under all versions of Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 (64 bit only), and Mac Intel (64 bit) for MacOSX 10.15+.
More information on VUE and PlantFactory is available at:
https://info.e-onsoftware.com/vue and https://info.e-onsoftware.com/plantfactory.
About e-on software
E-on software is the leading developer of solutions for the creation, animation, rendering and integration of natural 3D environments (VUE and PlantFactory). E-on software products are used worldwide by the film, television, architecture, game, science, educational and entertainment industries.
E-on software products were used in feature films such as "Dr. Strange," "Kubo and the 2 Strings," "Jupiter Ascending," "Minions," "Guardians of the Galaxy," "The Croods," "Dragons 1&2," "Hunger Games," "Hugo," "Tintin," "Super 8," "Thor," "Avatar," "Clash of the Titans," "Sucker Punch," "Despicable Me 1&2," "The Wolf Man," "2012," "Lovely Bones," "GI Joe – The Rise of the Cobra," "Land of the Lost," "Terminator 4, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Indiana Jones 4," "Monster Vs Aliens," "Australia," "The Spiderwick Chronicles," "KungFu Panda," "Pirates of the Caribbean 2" and TV series such as "Spartacus," "Smallville," "Battlestar Gallactica," "Caprica," "Stargate Atlantis," "Stargate Continuum," "The Vampire Diaries" and more. Read more on these stories in e-on software's Spotlights section: https://info.e-onsoftware.com/meetourusers
E-on software was founded on the premise that powerful graphics tools should never get in the way of the designer's creativity. By investing significant resources in research and development, e-on software is able to deliver cutting-edge, user friendly technologies that produce stunning digital nature scenery.
In 2015, e-on software was acquired by Bentley Systems and now operates as an internal venture subsidiary.
E-on software is based in Paris, France. For more information visit https://info.e-onsoftware.com/
About Bentley Systems
Bentley Systems is a global leader in providing engineers, architects, geospatial professionals, constructors, and owner-operators with comprehensive software solutions for advancing the design, construction, and operations of infrastructure. Bentley users leverage information mobility across disciplines and throughout the infrastructure lifecycle to deliver better-performing projects and assets. Bentley solutions encompass MicroStation applications for information modeling, ProjectWise collaboration services to deliver integrated projects, and AssetWise operations services to achieve intelligent infrastructure – complemented by comprehensive managed services offered through customized Success Plans.
Founded in 1984, Bentley has more than 3,500 colleagues in over 50 countries, more than $700 million in annual revenues, and since 2012 has invested more than $1 billion in research, development, and acquisitions. www.bentley.com
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Bentley, the "B" Bentley logo, Be, VUE, PlantFactory, LumenRT, MicroStation, and ProjectWise are either registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of Bentley Systems, Incorporated or one of its direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries. All other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
Supporting Resources
New Features Videos are located at https://info.e-onsoftware.com/features
The full release details are available at https://info.e-onsoftware.com/release-notes-december-2019
Logo for download - pdf
For more information about VUE, visit info.e-onsoftware.com/more-info-vue
For more information about PlantFactory, visit info.e-onsoftware.com/more-info-plantfactory
Download the entire press release here.
