PARIS, France, Jan 16, 2020 – E-on software, a leading global developer of software for the creation, animation, rendering, and integration of natural 3D environments in the computer graphics, VFX, architecture, and gaming industries, announced the immediate availability of the Q4 2019 Release (otherwise known as R4) of its VUE and PlantFactory software.

A new free trial version is also available of its VUE and PlantFactory software which includes all the updates from R4.

The full release note details are available online at https://info.e-onsoftware.com/release-notes-december-2019

This brand-new option allows the end user to select any location on the planet and extract the underlying terrain altitude data. Depending on the available data set, terrain elevation data can go as low as 3 meters between samples. Extracted height maps are then automatically converted to either height-field terrains or procedural terrains to allow for finer artistic control.

VDB export of animated clouds (1) and new cloud morphing technology

Users can now export cloud animations – both standalone clouds (MetaClouds) or volumetric cloud layers – as animated VDBs (one VDB file per frame). In addition, the R4 release adds a new feature to morph two MetaClouds together. This new technology automatically creates a smooth interpolation between the two cloud geometries and material looks.

Procedural material baking to PBR texture maps (1)

Users may now bake and export the Metallic/Roughness PBR channels from their authored procedural materials to texture maps. The generic UV unwrapper and UV packing algorithms were greatly optimized, allowing for up to x15 baking speed gain (depending on mesh size and resolution). The exported texture maps now benefit from a new color bleed blending algorithm (smudge and mean average color filler) to reduce visible seams when remapping meshes in 3rd party applications.

PlantFactory importers for 3ds Max and Maya (1)

With this new release, e-on software introduces the first technology preview of its upcoming native importer plugins, starting with dedicated importers for PlantFactory content. The plugins allow for loading, editing health, maturity and season as well as published parameters and converting native PlantFactory content within the host application, without going through any baking or exporting processed.

The initial plugins are compatible with 3ds Max 2019-2020 and Maya 2019 (windows only). In 3ds Max, the plugin can generate materials for these renderers: V-Ray Next, Scanline, ART Renderer. In Maya, only V-Ray Next is supported for now. Other host applications and renderers will be supported soon while the company continues to expand its interoperability developments.

Other notable new features in VUE and PlantFactory R4

As with previous quarterly releases, e-on software has also added many other new features and UI/UX enhancements such as:

1. Rewritten and optimized FBX format import,
2. Substance compatibility enhancements: support for multi-graph .sbsar, updated SDK to version 7, support for animated .sbsar files, support for several additional .sbsar inputs,
3. Path tracer renderer now supports orthographic projection, film offset and renders multi-pass channels,
4. New LOD selection mechanism based on referenced length,
5. Numerous updates to Python scripting options,
6. Added compatibility with MacOS Catalina,
7. And a lot more

(1) Export and Integration Plugins are only available in Professional and Enterprise solutions

Plant Catalog Collection update (2)

This Q4 2019 release also offers a new batch of 10 HD and LD – botanically accurate – vegetation species, including:

1. Coniferous: Picea abies, Sequoiadendron giganteum, Thuja plicata, Tsuga mertensiana
2. Bushes: Lupinus arboreus, Tamarix gallica
3. Palms: Hyophorbe lagenicaulis
4. Perennials: Bellis perennis, Lupinus polyphyllus, Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’

(2) PlantCatalog compatibility is currently in Enterprise solutions only

New collection items

e-on software continues to progressively release its owned content collection formerly sold on Cornucopia3D to users of its new software solutions. The R4 release therefore includes a new batch of over 250 3D assets comprised of atmospheres, materials, vehicles, animals, sample scenes etc.

Availability

The new update is available for download as a free software update for all registered users of the company’s VUE and PlantFactory solutions. Users will find the software update and the PlantCatalog download links on their user account page (under the Software Center tab)

The Q4 2019 trial versions are also immediately available at no cost from https://info.e-onsoftware.com/try.

All VUE and PlantFactory software titles are available in English, French and German and perform under all versions of Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 (64 bit only), and Mac Intel (64 bit) for MacOSX 10.15+.

More information on VUE and PlantFactory is available at: https://info.e-onsoftware.com/vue  and https://info.e-onsoftware.com/plantfactory.

E-on software is the leading developer of solutions for the creation, animation, rendering and integration of natural 3D environments (VUE and PlantFactory). E-on software products are used worldwide by the film, television, architecture, game, science, educational and entertainment industries.

E-on software products were used in feature films such as “Dr. Strange,” “Kubo and the 2 Strings,” “Jupiter Ascending,” “Minions,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “The Croods,” “Dragons 1&2,” “Hunger Games,” “Hugo,” “Tintin,” “Super 8,” “Thor,” “Avatar,” “Clash of the Titans,” “Sucker Punch,” “Despicable Me 1&2,” “The Wolf Man,” “2012,” “Lovely Bones,” “GI Joe – The Rise of the Cobra,” “Land of the Lost,” “Terminator 4, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Indiana Jones 4,” “Monster Vs Aliens,” “Australia,” “The Spiderwick Chronicles,” “KungFu Panda,” “Pirates of the Caribbean 2” and TV series such as “Spartacus,” “Smallville,” “Battlestar Gallactica,” “Caprica,” “Stargate Atlantis,” “Stargate Continuum,” “The Vampire Diaries” and more. Read more on these stories in e-on software’s Spotlights section: https://info.e-onsoftware.com/meetourusers

E-on software was founded on the premise that powerful graphics tools should never get in the way of the designer’s creativity. By investing significant resources in research and development, e-on software is able to deliver cutting-edge, user friendly technologies that produce stunning digital nature scenery.

In 2015, e-on software was acquired by Bentley Systems and now operates as an internal venture subsidiary. E-on software is based in Paris, France. For more information visit https://info.e-onsoftware.com/

About Bentley Systems

Bentley Systems is a global leader in providing engineers, architects, geospatial professionals, constructors, and owner-operators with comprehensive software solutions for advancing the design, construction, and operations of infrastructure. Bentley users leverage information mobility across disciplines and throughout the infrastructure lifecycle to deliver better-performing projects and assets. Bentley solutions encompass MicroStation applications for information modeling, ProjectWise collaboration services to deliver integrated projects, and AssetWise operations services to achieve intelligent infrastructure – complemented by comprehensive managed services offered through customized Success Plans.

Founded in 1984, Bentley has more than 3,500 colleagues in over 50 countries, more than $700 million in annual revenues, and since 2012 has invested more than $1 billion in research, development, and acquisitions. For more information, visit www.bentley.com.

FRIEDRICHSDORF, Germany, Jan 16, 2020 – Maxon, a leading developer of professional 3D modeling, animation and rendering solutions, is pleased to announce that usage-based rendering of Cinema 4D scenes is now available via the AWS Thinkbox Marketplace from Amazon Web Services (AWS). Usage-based licensing (UBL) on AWS Thinkbox Marketplace provides on-demand metered access to an unlimited number of Cinema 4D rendering nodes with per-minute usage and licensing options and the ability to scale up and down based on project needs.

Rendering on the cloud allows artists and studios to expand their rendering capabilities to preview scenes faster, meet deadlines, free up local hardware for other tasks (design, video encoding, or post-production for example), and explore more complex and challenging projects. With AWS Thinkbox Deadline and Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) Spot Instances, studios can scale their compute power cost effectively with production proven tools and infrastructure.

AWS Thinkbox Deadline users can get started by installing the Integrated Submitter from the Deadline Repository and configuring their Cinema 4D render Jobs for Usage-Based Licensing via the AWS Portal.

Available for Windows, Mac OSX and Linux rendering.

About Maxon

Headquartered in Friedrichsdorf, Germany, Maxon Computer is a developer of professional 3D modeling, painting, animation and rendering solutions. Its award-winning Cinema 4D and Redshift 3D software products have been used extensively to help create and render everything from stunning visual effects in top feature films, TV shows and commercials, cutting-edge game cinematics for AAA games, as well as for medical illustration, architectural and industrial design applications. Maxon has offices in Germany, USA, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Japan and Singapore. Maxon products are available directly from the website and its worldwide distribution network. Maxon is part of the Nemetschek Group.

NATICK, MA, USA, Jan 16, 2020 – MathWorks announced that HDL Verifier provides support for the Universal Verification Methodology (UVM) starting with Release 2019b, which is currently available. HDL Verifier enables design verification engineers developing FPGA and ASIC designs to generate UVM components and test benches directly from Simulink models and use them in simulators that support UVM such as those from Synopsys, Cadence, and Mentor.

A recent study by Wilson Research Group found that 48% of FPGA design projects and 71% percent of ASIC design projects rely on UVM for design verification. Typically, algorithm developers and system architects develop new algorithmic content in MATLAB and Simulink. Design verification (DV) engineers then use the MATLAB and Simulink models as a reference as they handwrite code for RTL test benches, which can be an extremely time-consuming process. Now with HDL Verifier, DV engineers can automatically generate UVM components such as sequences or scoreboards from system-level models already developed in Simulink. This approach reduces the time verification engineers spend developing test benches for ASIC and FPGA designs used in applications such as wireless communications, embedded vision, and controls.

“Simulink allows for us to reduce time spent on hand-writing production UVM test benches, test sequences and scoreboards by about 50% – leaving more time for us to focus on application for breakthrough innovations,” said Khalid Chishti, ASIC development manager, Allegro MicroSystems. “Our ASICs designed for automotive applications rely on UVM for production verification – MATLAB and Simulink simplify the once tedious task of developing the algorithms for these devices.”

With new features such as generation of UVM components, SystemVerilog assertions, and SystemVerilog DPI components from MATLAB and Simulink, HDL Verifier now offers extended support to design verification teams responsible for production verification of ASICs and FPGAs. Tasked with developing rigorous test benches in HDL simulators by handwriting code in SystemVerilog, these design verification teams can now generate verification components directly from existing MATLAB and Simulink models, and re-use these models to speed creation of production verification environments.

“According to the 2018 Functional Verification Study by Wilson Research and Mentor Graphics, DV engineers spend about one-fifth of their time on ASIC and FPGA projects in test bench development,” said Eric Cigan, principal HDL product marketing manager, MathWorks. “HDL Verifier’s capability to generate UVM and SystemVerilog DPI components from existing MATLAB and Simulink models can boost the productivity of DV engineers and improve collaboration between system architects, hardware designers, and DV engineers.”

Availability

HDL Verifier R2019b is available immediately worldwide. To learn more, visit mathworks.com/verify.

About Allegro MicroSystems

Allegro MicroSystems is redefining the future of power and sensing technologies. From green energy to advanced mobility and motion control systems, our team is passionate about developing intelligent solutions that move the world forward and give our customers a competitive edge. With global engineering, manufacturing and support, Allegro is a trusted partner to both large enterprises and regional market leaders worldwide. Visit www.allegromicro.com.

About MathWorks

MathWorks is the leading developer of mathematical computing software. MATLAB, the language of engineers and scientists, is a programming environment for algorithm development, data analysis, visualization, and numeric computation. Simulink is a block diagram environment for simulation and Model-Based Design of multidomain and embedded engineering systems. Engineers and scientists worldwide rely on these product families to accelerate the pace of discovery, innovation, and development in automotive, aerospace, electronics, financial services, biotech-pharmaceutical, and other industries. MATLAB and Simulink are also fundamental teaching and research tools in the world’s universities and learning institutions. Founded in 1984, MathWorks employs more than 4500 people in 16 countries, with headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts, USA. For additional information, visit mathworks.com.

WALTHAM, MA, USA, Jan 14, 2020 – AMC Bridge introduces new features to Walk-Through-3D for Autodesk Revit, a technology demonstration of connecting Revit and the Unity game development platform.

HELSINKI, Finland, Jan 14, 2020 – NAPA, the leading maritime software, services and data analysis provider has announced the signing of a new contract with the northernmost year-round ferry, Wasaline, for its new building AURORA BOTNIA.

When it launches in 2021 the AURORA BOTNIA will be the world’s first LNG/LBG battery ship with pods under the vehicle deck, as well as the world’s most environmentally friendly RoPax vessel.

Under the agreement, NAPA will provide Wasaline with its industry benchmark software applications, NAPA Emergency Computer, which delivers unmatched integrated emergency decision support, and NAPA Loading Computer, which optimizes vessel load while minimizing stress and safety risk.

NAPA Loading Computer and NAPA Emergency Computer have been approved by all major classification societies.

Peter Ståhlberg, CEO, Wasaline, commented, “Wasaline operates in the Bothnian Corridor, a unique archipelago between Finland and Sweden that has severe ice conditions. Therefore when it comes to keeping our seafarers, our ships, and our passengers safe, we need partners with a consistent track record of success delivering the integrated decision support that our bridge officers need in an emergency. To do that, as well as helping to optimize our operational efficiencies, there’s nobody we trust more than NAPA.”

Esa Takkinen, Sales Manager, North Europe, NAPA, commented, “We’re very proud to be providing Wasaline, a company with a proud record in one of the world’s most challenging marine environments, with the tools that are going to further enhance the safety, efficiency, and performance of its operations.”

Since its launch in 2015, NAPA Emergency Computer has become the industry benchmark for integrated decision support. The software is currently used by almost all the major cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line, Viking Ocean Cruises, Genting Cruise Lines, Virgin Voyages, Saga Cruises, Hurtigruten, and Lindblad Expeditions.

About NAPA

In its 30 years of operation, NAPA has become a global leader in software, services and data analysis for the maritime industry; providing best in class data-led solutions for safety, efficiency and productivity in both ship design and operations.

NAPA operates globally, with 11 offices across Asia, Europe and the Americas supported by its Helsinki headquarters. To date, NAPA has 420 user organizations for its design solutions and over 2,500 installations onboard vessels. For more information, visit www.napa.fi

About Wasaline

Wasaline, a subsidiary of Kvarken Link Oy, is a small shipping company with one ferry, transporting passengers and freight between Vaasa, Finland and Umeå, Sweden daily. A new ferry is being built that will be delivered in May 2021. Turnover was 19.6 million and more than 200,000 passengers, 46,000 passenger vehicles and 15,000 freight units were transported in 2019. For more information, visit www.wasaline.com.

Kvarken Link Ab was founded in 2015 and Kvarken Link Oy in 2019 by the City of Vaasa and the Municipality of Umeå to run the construction project of a new environmentally friendly RO-PAX ferry for Wasaline. For more information about the new ferry, visit, www.kvarkenlink.com

ROCK HILL, SC, USA and REHOVOT, Israel, Jan 14, 2020 – 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) and CollPlant Biotechnologies (NASDAQ:CLGN), announced signing a joint development agreement intended to play a pivotal role in advancing and accelerating breakthroughs in the biomedical industry. The collaboration brings together two industry pioneers–3D Systems, renowned for its 3D printing technologies and healthcare expertise; and CollPlant, the developer of proprietary recombinant human collagen (rhCollagen) BioInk technology currently used for 3D bioprinting of tissues and organs. The two companies plan to jointly develop tissue and scaffold bioprinting processes for third party collaborators.

3D bioprinted soft tissue implant with vascularization channels perfused with red ink. The implant was printed using 3D Systems’ stereolithography bioprinter and BioInk that is based on CollPlant’s rhCollagen.

3D Systems and CollPlant recognized an unmet market need for a comprehensive solution to produce tissues and scaffolds for regenerative medicine applications. The companies intend to create integrated 3D bioprinting solutions comprised of state-of-the-art 3D bioprinters and BioInks to produce tissues and scaffolds. In accordance with the collaboration agreement, both companies may use a combination of 3D Systems’ printers, CollPlant’s BioInks, and new formulations of rhCollagen-based BioInks jointly developed by the companies, for their own products, as well as for deployments with third parties.

“3D Systems is excited to work with CollPlant to develop groundbreaking bioprinted tissue and scaffold technologies,” said Chuck Hull, co-founder and chief technology officer, 3D Systems. “We believe 3D printing to be a key technology for regenerative medicine, and this collaboration is one of many we are entering to play an integral role in this exciting field. Combining our innovative 3D printing technologies with CollPlant’s rhCollagen based BioInks has the potential to make a significant impact in bioprinting and regenerative medicine. ”

“We strongly believe that our proven rhCollagen is the finest building block for regenerative medicine tissues and scaffolds available today,” Yehiel Tal, chief executive officer of CollPlant, stated. “As the leading additive manufacturing  printing solutions company, 3D Systems is the perfect partner for us. Together, we can offer the best combined technology for 3D bioprinting. We are honored to have established this important collaboration and we look forward to working together to advance 3D bioprinting technology to the commercial phase.”

About 3D Systems

More than 30 years ago, 3D Systems brought the innovation of 3D printing to the manufacturing industry. Today, as the leading AM solutions company, it empowers manufacturers to create products and business models never before possible through transformed workflows. This is achieved with the Company’s best-of-breed digital manufacturing ecosystem – comprised of plastic and metal 3D printers, print materials, on-demand manufacturing services and a portfolio of end-to-end manufacturing software. Each solution is powered by the expertise of the company’s application engineers who collaborate with customers to transform manufacturing environments. 3D Systems’ solutions address a variety of advanced applications for prototyping through production in markets such as aerospace, automotive, medical, dental and consumer goods. More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com.

About CollPlant

CollPlant is a regenerative medicine company focused on 3D bioprinting of tissues and organs, and medical aesthetics. Our products are based on our rhCollagen (recombinant human collagen) that is produced with CollPlant’s proprietary plant based genetic engineering technology.

Our products address indications for the diverse fields of organ and tissue repair, and are ushering in a new era in regenerative medicine. Our flagship rhCollagen BioInk product line is ideal for 3D bioprinting of tissues and organs. In October 2018, we entered into a licensing agreement with United Therapeutics, whereby United Therapeutics is using CollPlant’s BioInks to develop the manufacture of 3D bioprinted lungs for transplant in humans.

For more information about CollPlant, visit http://www.collplant.com

ATLANTA, GA, USA, Jan 13, 2020 – IronCAD, the leading provider of design productivity solutions, announced the immediate availability of the latest version of its fully integrated Multiphysics for IronCAD (MPIC). Since the unveiling of Multiphysics for IronCAD, the usability and robustness of MPIC have been appreciated by many IronCAD users. Each year, additional improvements and refinement have been added to further increase the ease of use as well as the functionalities that sets it apart from the competition. Most of these new features are based on user feedback and request to speed up the design cycle, simplify analysis setup, and reduce analysis times.

MPIC 2020, includes several new and improved key technologies designed specifically for CAD design analysis. IronCAD’s focus was on general CAD designers and users who want to adopt design analysis earlier in the digital prototyping cycle and aim to provide accurate, realistic and quick analysis. As such, most of these improvements are in the assembly analysis functionalities.

Some of MPIC 2020 new technologies and features include:

1. New tolerance assembly analysis technology is implemented with respect to how parts are assembled and meshed for analysis. This new option uses parts’ discrete boundary surface facets to smartly unite parts together for design analysis. This technology enables the healing of CAD assembly models with intentional or unintentional gaps so they can be glued together for quick design analysis.
2. New drag-and-drop user interface has been implemented in the part tree of materials, boundary condition constraints, and load areas. Users can select the part’s tree node and drag it to a different material tree to quickly assign it to a different material. In boundary condition constraints and loading, the sequence of the priority of the constraint can also be changed by selecting the condition and drag it up/down to change the priority of the boundary condition.
3. MPIC model is now upgraded to XMD 2.2 model and compatible with all AMPS product lines. It can be opened, modified, and analyzed by any AMPS XMD application if additional features/capabilities are needed.

Multiphysics for IronCAD offers basic to advance versions that include non-linear, fluid, dynamics, and rigid body kinematics. Once installed, users have access to the full functionality limited to 2000 mesh nodes that can be used to get started with the analysis application. To access the latest Multiphysics for IronCAD 2020, visit https://www.ironcad.com/design-extensions/multiphysics-for-ironcad/.

“This new release with new tolerance assembly analysis technology will streamline the design analysis for design engineering beyond anything in the market today” stated Cary O’Connor, V.P. of Marketing of IronCAD. “Users will be able to quickly design products and assemblies with accurate design simulation easily without having to struggle with gaps and inaccuracies often found in CAD designs that don’t fully model manufacturing processes such as welds and fixturing. Overall, users can improve designs and design-to-product times with this new functionality” he continued.

Dr. Ted Lin of AMPS Technologies, developers of MPIC, and meshing technology partner Dr. Mark Beall, President of Simmetrix Inc. says, “For more than three years of development and testing, our team has taken on this task to resolve this well-known problem in CAD models. This new technology gives the user more control over gluing together parts in assembly models with intentional or unintentional gaps for quick design analysis that virtually eliminates the CAD modeling inaccuracy issues that users struggled to resolve in the past.”

About IronCAD

Based in Atlanta, Ga., IronCAD is a leading provider of 3D design productivity solutions that deliver the highest levels of customer satisfaction and productivity. Individual components of this solution can be used standalone, complementary within an existing design environment, or can be used together to collaborate effectively throughout the enterprise to extend productivity. IronCAD’s flagship product IRONCAD has won many industry awards for its innovative technology and leads the industry in its ease of use and design productivity. Thousands of customers worldwide use IronCAD to support their success. For more information about IronCAD 2020, visit www.ironcad.com.

NOVOSIBIRSK, Russia, Jan 13, 2020 – LEDAS announced that it develops a lightweight nesting module. Nesting optimizes the locations and positions of parts on sheet metal, before they are cut.

LEDAS expanded its expertise in the area of nesting, and so developed a lightweight module based on genetic algorithms and optimization methods. This toolkit works with standard rectangular sheets, as well as sheets of arbitrary shapes, including circular ones and leftover pieces. In addition to being used in typical applications, such as cutting with water jets and lasers, it can be used in other areas, including 3D printing.

The optimal nesting of parts on sheets is very important for the efficient use of materials to lower costs, and some of the company’s CAM clients asked for a nesting solution. The new nesting module is an affordable option for companies that would like to keep costs low. This code could be the best value for money for small and medium businesses.

The nesting module is one of several LEDAS projects being developed for CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) customers. Some are related to the processing of sheet materials, including sheet metal and composites. LEDAS also has experience with third-party libraries for nesting, which the company formerly integrated into customer’s code and fine-tuned for better results.

About LEDAS

LEDAS is a worldwide leader in providing of research and development services for engineering software market. Choose LEDAS for your CAD software. Begin your consultation by visiting us at www.ledas.com.

TOLLAND, CT, USA, Jan 13, 2020 – Mastercam, CAD/CAM software developed by CNC Software, Inc., is proud to sponsor a competition to inspire students and professionals in the manufacturing arena. The 2020 Masters of CAM Wildest Parts Competition is now accepting entries.

Participating in the Wildest Parts Competition is a great opportunity for instructors and students to get inspired in the classroom and motivated to expand their CAD/CAM abilities by the spirit of competition. Entrants are expected to create high quality parts that either haven’t been done before or add a new twist to an existing concept.

Now until June 30, 2020, entries will be accepted in four divisions:

1. Secondary (1st, 2nd, 3rd) – open to individual students at high school level of education.
2. Postsecondary (1st, 2nd, 3rd) – open to individual students at college/university level of education.
3. Teams (1st, 2nd, 3rd) – open to groups of students at any level of education.
4. Professional (1st, 2nd, 3rd) – open to anyone with professional manufacturing experience.

“Last year we received a lot of amazing and creative parts from students and professionals around the world,” said Peter Mancini, Education Product Manager at CNC Software. “For example, Riley Traver from Van Buren Tech in Lawrence, MI, was the winner in our Secondary division with a Sprinting Spike Base Plate, and Colin May from Erie Community College in Williamsville, NY made an Engine Block for our Postsecondary division. The parts that they submitted blew our minds, and we look forward to seeing what entries are submitted this coming year!”

All entrants receive a Mastercam t-shirt for participating. Winning entries receive cash, $3,000 for first place; $1,500 for second place; and $500 for third place, in addition to certificates of achievement and more. Anyone interested in a manufacturing and design challenge to break the mold, think outside the box, cut outside the lines, and share their creativity is encouraged to enter.

For more information about the Masters of CAM Wildest Parts Competition, visit https://www.mastercam.com/community/competitions/.