Foundry Modo 17.0 comes with performance updates to accelerate modelling, rigging, animation and interactivity, and a bundled Prime version of Octane for GPU rendering.
Faster modelling
Foundry Modo 17.0 updates include performance increases that allow the interactivity necessary for modern asset creation workflows. Foundry has also bundled OTOY’s Prime version of OctaneRender with Modo 17.0, resulting in large speed increases over traditional CPU renderers. OTOY also allows users to upload scenes to its GPU render farm.
Artists working on Apple Silicon machines are likely to see the greatest speed increases compared to emulating the X86 version of Modo for Macs, due to Modo’s new native macOS ARM build. Apple’s M-Series Silicon chip with ARM-based Silicon processors now run in their new computers.
The new release’s architectural changes are expected to deliver performance increases across direct modelling tools – see these below – animation playback and rig interactions.
Viewport updates
Viewport and MeshOps Updates
For example, Foundry has been able to accelerate the speed at which objects are drawn in the Viewport and add the ability to push calculations to a background thread. This means the software can use two threads at once, and future improvements are expected to allow multiple background threads.
Owing to a combination of vector objects (VOs) and incremental updates, MeshOps are now processed faster to result in a more interactive experience. Many of the UX and workflow interactions have also been improved with MeshOps. Because of the improvements to Modo’s Viewport, artists can now toggle textures on or off without going into the shader tree.
The new default Viewport setting means users can view environment lighting and any viewport lighting at the same time, making sure that all lights interact as they should. Wireframe drawing is improved, with the visibility of MeshOp handles and selections.
MeshOps are now processed faster
With redesigned core systems and specific performance updates to individual tools for Modo 17.0, Foundry says users can look for more frequent releases for Modo in 2024, with updates that will be evident to all types of users including product designers, character animators for film or games artists. Starting from v17.0 as a foundation for accelerating other aspects of Modo, the developers are working toward a 3D application with features for experts, plus options making these capabilities easier for novices to use.
Modelling Tools
Accelerations have now been made to ten of Modo’s modelling tools as well as MeshOps. This includes a system-wide change to vector objects, and further tool optimisation. These updates, in turn, have an impact on other tools due to Modo’s modulararity.
PolyHaul is a feature combining many of the most used modelling tools into one so that artists can spend less time shifting between separate tools.
The new decal workflow applies decals and wraps flat images onto complex surfaces with minimal distortion and without creating UVs.
PolyHaul combined modelling tools.
Multiple slices of the same Primitive shape can be cloned at once to help produce complex patterns, and a new Corner Radius feature rounds corners on rectangles and squares allowing quick adjustments without switching between presets. Mesh Cleanup has been automated to fix broken geometry and gaps while avoiding interruptions for artists.
Radial Align normally turns a selection into a flat circle, however, in Modo 17.0 the artist can generate a partial radial alignment for objects like arches. www.foundry.com
