Allegorithmic has released version 3.1 of Substance Designer, the specialist in game texturing, extending the bitmap painting editor introduced in the version 3.0. The software provides a non-destructive, node-based system, complete with a 3D preview, for authoring lightweight procedural textures, or ‘substances’ which are supported in 3ds Max, Maya and Unity. The new version of Substance Designer includes new features and tools such as a major batching system, letting you batch process numerous meshes and textures at the same time, a paint system for retakes freeing most of the artists' needs when it comes to basic image editing, new powerful filters to speed texture creation, and many others. However the most interesting feature implemented inside the new version is the new bitmap painting editor which helps you create textures faster than ever before.

Maxon has released Cinema 4D R14 Student, the free educational version of its popular 3D package. The functionality in the free student edition of CINEMA 4D differs only slightly from the package used by professionals worldwide in their high-end productions. Students receive a special version of CINEMA 4D R14 Studio, including all features such as the physical render engine, Hair, MoGraph, Sketch and Toon, a powerful character animation toolset and libraries bursting with objects and materials.

Lightmap has released HDR Light Studio 4, a major update to its innovative image-based lighting software. HDR Light Studio 4 introduces new tools with which artists can direct the lighting within a rendered image in real time; unifies the old standard and Pro editions of the software.

New LightPaint technology enables lighting artists to point in the rendered view directing the light to the exact location where it is needed on their models. Slashing the time taken to light a 3D scene and enabling the precise placement of lighting and reflections.

New issue of 3D World magazine is coming out. This issue discovers top character design tips and also there are tutorials on how to make plasma trail effects, composite in post and create realistic foliage.

You can also find out more about Paul Hatton`s post-production techniques for better renders and how 3D artist Alex Alvarez made his stunning forest scenes.

If you prefer cartoons, the artists behind this issue’s cover reveal how they created characters for their short film A Fox Tale.