xNormal 3.17.8 released

An update of xNormal was released:

New in Version 3.17.8:

• Solved a problem scaling derivative maps.
• Recompiled using the latest libraries.

More information and download on www.xnormal.net

Mandelbulber 1.10 released

A new version of Mandelbulber was released.
New in version 1.10:

•  added tile rendering (without any image resolution limitations)
•  fixed bug: water animation worked only in flight mode

More info and download at www.mandelbulber.com

Free HDRI´s in the sIBL Archive from HDR Labs

HDR Labs offers free highres HDRI´s in its sIBL archive.

For perfect lighting you can download additional sIBL (ibl)-loader scripts for Lightwave,  3ds MAX,  Maya,  modo,  XSI and Cinema 4D here.

More infos and HDRI (IBL) downloads at www.hdrlabs.com

Free Goodies in the 3D World Advent Calendar

On the website of the 3d world magazine is an advent calendar where you can get many goodies for free.

The 3D gifts until now:

• Day 24 Exclusive free compositing software – Conduit Suite 3D for Macintosh
  
• Day 23 10 free mini Maya tutorials to improve your modelling
• Day 22 offered an exclusive free restaurant model set CG Workshop 
• Day 21 offered two exclusive free tutorials from 3D Total 
• Day 20 offered free textures from IDV 
• Day 19 offered an exclusive free Christmas tree model fromIDV 
• Day 18 offered an exclusive Old Wishing Well model fromDAZ 3D 
• Day 17 offered six exclusive models from Cornucopia3D 
• Day 16 offered two exclusive 3ds Max tutorials from Digital-Tutors 
• Day 15 offered 130 XFrog plant models XFrog 
• Day 14 offered set of metal fences, from Pariah Studios 
• Day 13 offered some video training on Maya’s Transfer Maps, from Escape Studios 
• Day 12 offered an Introduction to SpeedTree, from cmiVFX 
• Day 11 offered DAZ 3D EmotiGuy, from DAZ 3D 
• Day 10 offered the Old Village model for Vue, courtesy of e-on software 
• Day 9 offered a free set of Substances, courtesy of Allegorithmic 
• Day 8 offered the training video Beginner’s Guide to Image Planes in Maya, courtesy of Digital-Tutors 
• Day 7 offered the Anime Star Fighter character model pack, courtesy of DAZ 3D 
• Day 6 offered the training video Beginner’s Guide to 3ds Max, courtesy of Digital-Tutors 
• Day 5 offered an Eames LCW Chair, from Pariah Studios 
• Day 4 offered a Mixamo Animation Sampler Pack for M4 and V4.2, courtesy of DAZ 3D and Mixamo 
• Day 3 offered some fantastic Unity training from Digital-Tutors 
• Day 2 offered an HDRI set from Dutch Skies 360° 
• Day 1 offered an awesome free model pack for Cinema 4D from GreyscaleGorilla

To get the gifts go to www.3dworldmag.com

Meshmixer 07 update released

Autodesk released another free update of Meshmixer.
New in this 07 update:

• Restored main Drag-and-Drop functionality from meshmixer06 
• Mac OSX build available for Lion and Snow Leopard 
• Convert to Part now works with selections 
• vastly improved rendering speed (millions of triangles!) 
• improved brush performance 
• many bugs fixed

More infos and download at www.meshmixer.com

Unity 3.5 Beta available

The Unity Team released a Beta-version of Unity 3.5.

New in this version is a hands-on preview of Unity's upcoming Flash deployment add-on. Experience first-hand how Flash deployment in Unity opens up new publishing options, by enabling you to push your interactive 3D content to the web through Adobe Flash Player.

And there is a contest too:
Create and submit Unity authored Flash platform content by Thursday, January 5, 2012. The best entry will be awarded the Grand Prize of $20,000 USD with more prizes going to the runners-up.

More infos and download at www.unity3d.com

Autodesk 123D Beta 8 Released

Autodesk has released the Betaversion 8 of 123D.
New in Beta 8:

• Sketching and drafting enhancements
• My Corner and My Gallery – direct access to online storage and gallery
• Improved tools for laser cutting and 3D printing
• 3D printing directly from within 123D

More infos & Download at www.123dapp.com