Punch Software’s Shark FX version 7 is available from Cadsoft Solutions Limited, in the UK, for pre-order now. The promotional pricing ends 31 January 2010 for existing users of all Punch CAD software and qualifying competitive software.

The new Shark FX v7 features a host of great new features including HDRI, Global Illumination (GI), and non-Photorealistic Sketch Rendering. There are over 100 new features in Shark FX v7. To learn more visit: http://www.cadsoftsolutions.co.uk/

Luxology Announces Chinese version of modo 401

modo 401 developer Luxology has recently announced a Chinese version of their award-winning 3D software package modo 401. This new version is immediately available from Pikatoons Inc, the exclusive distributor for Luxology software in China.

A localized version of modo 401 for the Chinese market was in demand, as the fastest growing large economy in the world continues to expand. “The Chinese market is steadily growing and this new localized software will allow us to deliver first-class tools and technology to customers in a broad array of disciplines,” said Ye Wei Zhong, president of Pikatoons, Inc.

To learn more about modo in China visit: www.luxology.com

solidThinking News

solidThinking’s latest newsletter had some interesting tips including one on rendering a room with its fast Final Gather rendering algorithms. Other tips can be found on its solidThinkingBlog site here.

solidThinking has garnered some top press reaction from many of the leading industry publications for its new solidThinking Inspired 8.0 product with its new morphogenesis technology. This has included an article in the New York Times and Wired Magazine.

And a solidThinking user has won the MYDA Millenium Yacht Design Award contest with its Prototipi Design. This is a really cool design that we encourage readers to check out!

cadsoft solutions of the United Kingdom has announced that Punch’s Shark CAD product line, including Shark, Shark LT, and Shark FX have been updated with a service pack, release v5.5 build 838. This latest service pack contains over 35 corrections and enhancements and is recommended for all Shark product line users. To learn about Punch products including Shark go here.

OpenGL support added to REALBasic

REAL Software has released its new REALBasic and REAL Studio version 3 products. There are more than 100 improvements and 31 new features including, among other great things, OpenGL support for faster creation of 3D applications compared to traditional C-programming methods. 

The software is used to create programs for Mac, Windows and Linux operating systems, using both BASIC computing languages and visually-designed interfaces. The new OpenGLSurface control does require a knowledge of the OpenGL language. However, there are some open source projects that are implementing a RB3D-compatible API on top of the OpenGL for developers who currently use RB3D. 

REAL Software recently published an Introduction to REALbasic video on YouTube.com. 

VersaCAD update coming soon! Focus on Translators

The latest Archway newsletter mentions an upcoming VersaCAD update that will focus on updating its CAD translators, especially on the Mac. The Windows version will get faster and will now support multiple instances. VersaCAD will now have a different and better database engine behind it, paving the way for innovative future upgrades. To learn about VersaCAD go here: http://www.versacad.com/versacad/

Cadsoft Solutions has written Architosh to inform us that Concepts Unlimited has been re-branded Shark FX. We have written about Punch’s announcement of Shark and Shark FX CAD for Mac OS X. Some of this technology has been branded and sold as separate products. Now Punch is the developer (via Tim Olson) of the products formerly known as Concepts Unlimited. In the UK these products are available through Cadsoft Solutions Limited and inquires can be addressed to Nicholas C. A. Johnson (nick@cadsoftsolutions.co.uk)

Next Limit Wins Award

RealFlow by Next Limit Technologies, has won a Technical Achievement Award from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Victor Gonzalez, Ignacio Vargas and Angel Tena will be honored for their significant technical achievement and contributions to the process of making motion pictures, February 9, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.

RealFlow runs on Mac OS X and Windows platforms. We have a more complete report here.

Cheetah 3D 4.4 Released

The latest 4.4 version of Cheetah3D was released this week. It improves upon Mac OS X Leopard compatibility and should solve several last minute bugs. It also improves binding a skeleton to a mesh. A full list of updates to this version can be found here.

VectorWorks User Wins Three AIA Awards

Nemetschek North America congratulates VectorWorks user Raymond Beeler Architect PC for winning three AIA awards for its work on two library expansions. The firm has won 2007 First Honor Award from the AIA Westchester/Mid-Hudson chapter and an “Archi” Award for the Syosset Public Library Expansion, from the AIA Long Island chapter.

“We’ve been using VectorWorks since its inception 20 years ago, initially doing mostly residential projects,” says firm principal Ray Beeler, AIA. “As we’ve grown into receiving complex institutional and commercial commissions, we’ve found that VectorWorks Architect has risen to the challenge and been able to handle all the associated demands.”