Alias/Wavefront unveils Maya 4.5. (product spotlight).(Product Announcement)

Alias|Wavefront has introduced Maya 4.5, the seventh major release of the company's flagship 3D modeling and animation software. Among the major new features is a fully integrated method for creating accurate fluid effects--traditionally one of the most difficult challenges in computer graphics.

Maya Unlimited's Fluid Effects technology enables users to more realistically simulate and render atmospheric effects (billowing clouds and smoke), viscous liquids (mud and lava), pyrotechnics (fire, explosions, and nuclear blasts), and space effects (comets, nebulae, and meteors). The fluid simulation tools can also be used to deform logos or images and to create a range of animated textures. The fluid motion is simulated through computational fluid dynamics technology developed by Alias|Wavefront's research department. Fluid Effects also includes an Ocean Shader for achieving a variety of ...