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modo is an advanced polygon and subdivision surface modeling package developed by Luxology, LLC. The program incorporates advanced features such as n-gons and edge weighting, and runs on Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows platforms. A Linux version is expected to be released in 2006.
History
modo was created by the same core group of software engineers who formerly created Lightwave 3D.
In 2001, a rift developed between senior management at NewTek (makers of LightWave) and their key Lightwave engineers. Newtek's Vice President of 3D Development Brad Peebler eventually left Newtek to form Luxology, and was joined by Allen Hastings and Stuart Ferguson (the lead developers of Lightwave), along with most of the Lightwave programming team.
After more than three years of development work, modo was demonstrated at Siggraph 2004, and finally released in September that same year. In April 2005, the high-end visual effects studio Digital Domain integrated modo into their production pipeline. Other studios to adopt modo include Eden FX, Studio ArtFX, The Embassy Visual Effects, Naked Sky Entertainment and Spinoff Studios.
On May 24, 2006, Luxology released its highly anticipated modo painting and rendering modules. Users now have access to the ability to paint directly onto 3D models, and photo-realistic rendering.
modo was recently used in the production of the feature film Stealth, and the video game RoboHordes.
Select Features
- Photo-realistic renderer
- N-gon modeling and rendering (subdivided polygons with >4 points)
- Tool Pipe
- Edges and Edge Weighting
- Macros
- Scripting
- Customizable User Interface
At Siggraph 2005, modo 201 was announced. This promises many new features including the ability to paint in 3D (ala ZBrush), multi-layer texture blending, as seen in LightWave, and, most significantly, a rendering solution which promises amongst other things, physical-based shading rendering, true-lens distortion, anistropic reflection blurring and built-in polygon instancing.
External links
"Modo (software)"