Daz releases new Bryce 7 3D suite as fully working free software

DAZ 3 has released Bryce 7. This is a brand new version of its 3D environment tool. It's available in standard, Pro and Personal Learning Edition (PLE) versions.The free version (PLE) incorporates all features of the standard version of Bryce 7. It can only be used for non-commercial projects though. Bryce 7 gains the ability to incorporate 3D models made in Google SketchUp or Electronic Arts' Spore Creature Creator into its pipeline. Find out more... just click on the image and see what you think yourself...

Latest Version - SU2POV freeware converter

From the Ruby Library Depot:
" SU2POV is a freeware converter to export SketchUp models to the freeware ray-tracer POV-Ray. It has been designed so few editions are necessary to run Pov-Ray and generate images of your SketchUp models".
Some features:

• Exports model to the freeware rendering engine Pov-Ray. SketchUp scene support: ground, background, fog, render mode settings, perspective and orthographic camera, sun light, point lights, spot lights, automatic coloring and intensity of sun light and of shadows, unlimited nested levels for groups/components, UV maps support for textured objects and imported images, clay render, glass render, clay-glass render, textures & X-Ray render, images output with/without alpha mask. Doc, tutorial and sample files included.

Click on image to read more and download from Didier Bur's site.

ASGVIS Render Contest

Render your Rhino or SketchUp model using V-Ray for a chance to win some great prizes. A license of V-Ray and 3 hours of online training are up for grabs. There are no limitations to the type of image you submit, as long as it's rendered with V-Ray for Rhino or V-Ray for SketchUp! Competition entries must be in by the 30th September 2010.

New Tutorial - Modeling in SketchUp to Match a 2D Image by David Macdonald

This is the second in a series three tutorials by David Macdonald concerning the exporting of SketchUp models to other applications as 2D graphics.Each tutorial is complete in itself in as much as you can stop at the end of any of them having acquired a new technique that is complete in itself, without being obliged to finish the series.Click on the image to see the full tutorial.

V-Ray for SketchUp Version 1.48.83 Now Available

Our friend Kim over at ASGVIS has announced the release of a new improved build for V-Ray for SketchUp.It addresses some of the minor glitches and issues associated with the previous version. Find out more by clicking on the image below...

SketchUpArtists Tips & Tricks

Digital Watercolor Architectural Rendering in Photoshop by Scott Baumberger

‘Mountain Lodge’ is a step by step guide quide to making a digital watercolor rendering in Photoshop. This model was built in SketchUp and Autocad and all files were then compiled in one model filein 3D Studio Max for rendering. Scott has a great technique and eye for detail. Don’t miss this one! See the full tut here..

50 Rendering Tutorials

This is a collection of really cool CG rendering tutorials from a selection of CG sites. Various software being used but.. hey we can all pick some tips up sometimes! Some nice work...link here.

Polantis - 3D catalog technology - free models..

Just found this interesting site called Polantis. They have a selection of 3D models with various manufacturers models too. You need to register with them but the models are all free and in a selection of different file formats. Check it out and see what you think of them...see here.

IES Light Tutorial with 3ds Max workflow...useful lesson

Atul Dravid teaches you how to use IES files in your scenes. You need to have a basic understanding of 3ds Max workflow and at least one IES file with you to complete this tutorial.

 Basic Scene Layout

You can see the full tutorial here, and it may help you in understanding the concept of using IES lights in one of our other lighting tutorials you can see here called IES Light Tutorial using V-Ray for SketchUp by  Nomeradona.

The second official 2.5 testing build of Blender is released

Blender 2.5 Alpha 2 is the second official 2.5 testing build from the Blender Foundation and has just been released. Read more and get the free download here...

Blender 2.5 Alpha 1 release out now

Statement from their homepage..
'The Blender Foundation and online developer community is proud to present Blender 2.5 Alpha 1. This release is the second official testing release of the Blender 2.5 series, representing the culmination of many years of redesign and development work'

Read more here and download...

ASGVIS Announces Release Date for the New V-Ray for SketchUp PC/Mac

Baltimore, MD - February 3, 2010 - ASGVIS, providing innovative visualization software and services to create photorealistic 3D images and animations, today announced February 10 as the official release date for the new V-Ray for SketchUp for both Mac and PC platforms. Read more here..