Modo (software)
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| modo | |
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 Screenshot of modo 203 |
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| Developer: | Luxology, LLC |
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| Latest release: | 203 / March 13, 2007 |
| OS: | Mac OS X , Windows |
| Use: | 3D computer graphics |
| License: | Proprietary |
| Website: | www.luxology.com/modo/ |
- The correct title of this article is modo (software). The initial letter is shown capitalized due to technical restrictions.
modo is an advanced polygon, subdivision surface, modeling and rendering package developed by Luxology, LLC. The program incorporates advanced features such as n-gons, 3D painting and edge weighting, and runs on Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows platforms.
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[edit] History
modo was created by the same core group of software engineers who formerly created Lightwave 3D. They are based in San Mateo, California.
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.
At Siggraph 2005, modo 201 was pre-announced. This promised many new features including the ability to paint in 3D (ala ZBrush, BodyPaint 3d), 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, anisotropic reflection blurring and built-in polygon instancing.
On May 24, 2006, Luxology released its highly anticipated modo painting and rendering modules in the form of modo 201. Users got the ability to paint directly onto 3D models, and to get photo-realistic rendering.
modo 201 was the winner of the Apple Design Awards for Best Use of Mac OS X Graphics for 2006. In October 2006, modo also won "Best 3D/Animation Software" from MacUser UK magazine. In January 2007, modo won the Game Developer Frontline Award for "Best Art Tool".
modo 202 was released on August 1, 2006. It offers faster rendering speed and several new tools including the ability to add thickness to geometry. A 30 day full-function trial version of the software was made available.
modo was recently used in the production of the feature film Stealth, Ant Bully, and the video game RoboHordes.
In March 2007, Luxology released modo 203 as a free update to its user base. It includes new UV editing tools, faster rendering and a new DXF translator.
[edit] Select features
- Photo-realistic renderer
- N-gon modeling and rendering (subdivided polygons with >4 points)
- Tool Pipe
- Edges and Edge Weighting
- Macros
- Scripting (PERL, Python, LUA)
- Customizable User Interface
- Extensive file input and output including X3D file export
[edit] Key modeling features
- Mesh Instancing
- Mesh Paint Tool
- Solid Sketch
- Edge Slide
- Polygon Reduction Tool
- Reference Layers
- Sketch Bevel
- Loop Slice
- Morph Tool
- N-Gon SDS
- 1-Click Macro Recording
- LUA, and/or PERL Scripting Engines
- Bridge Tool
- High-Speed Open GL Navigation
- Extensive Falloff System Including Path and Lasso
- Complete Input Remapping of Mouse and Keyboard
- Smooth UV Interpolation on SDS Meshes
- Integrated Learning System
- Tool Pipe – Enabling new levels of control on falloff and tool customization
[edit] Key painting & texturing features
- Advanced Procedural Textures
- Control micropolygon tessellation via any one or combination of multiple texture layers
- Real-Time Bump Map Painting
- Procedural Painting
- Parametric ink leverages 3D data to modulate attributes
- Control painting tools with modeling falloffs
- Jitter Nozzle
- Image Based Brushes and Inks
[edit] Key rendering features
- Global Illumination
- Advanced Procedural Textures
- Control micropolygon tessellation via any one or combination of multiple texture layers
- Control painting tools with modeling falloffs
- Displacement Rendering
- Interactive Renderer Preview
- Orthographic Rendering
- IEEE Floating Point Accuracy
- Transparency (can vary with Absorption Distance)
- Subsurface Scattering
- Anisotropic Blurred Reflections
- Instance Rendering
- Render Baking to Color and Normal Maps
- True Lens Distortion
- Physically Based Shading Model
- Motion Blur
- Depth of Field
- Fully threaded
Also included in modo is imageSynth, a plugin for creating seamless textures Adobe Photoshop CS1 or later. imageSynth is available as of (8/29/06) as a separate product for people who do not have modo.
[edit] Books and learning materials
- The Official Luxology modo Guide by Dan Ablan ISBN 1-59863-068-7 (October 2006)
- Le Mans C9 Experience by Andy Brown (video-based tutorials) (January 2007)
- modo Signature Courseware DVD by Dan Ablan
