Terragen 2 is available both as a free download and as a purchase option for Terragen 2 Deep Edition. The free version may only be used for non-commercial purposes and is limited in the following ways as Render Size Maximum: 800x600, Render Detail Maximum: 1.0, Antialiasing Maximum: 3, Maximum Number of Rendered Populations: 3 andMaximum Render Detail for Micropolygon Export: 0.1.

Terragen 2.4 was released with complete Animation Module. The Animation Module now includes a complete key frame editing workflow with a dope sheet and curve editor, providing greatly improved control and precision when animating. 

solidThinking, Inc. released this week a new version of their concept design and 3D modelling software, solidThinking Evolve 9.0 supporting now saving to KeyShot *.bip files directly from the software interface. By using the „save as“ option users can optimize the model by choosing form three tessellation options (view tessellation, fast tessellation or custom) and immediately open inside KeyShot. Like this all materials assigned to part or layer are preserved and brought to KeyShot scene tree. This revolutionary the workflow between Evolve 9.0 and KeyShot and make the cooperation of both programs much smoother than it was before. Moreover, KeyShots advanced 3D rendering and lighting technology together with the new animation options can help to visualize and present the models in a higher level.

Allegorithmic has announced new version of its specialist games texturing tool. Substance Designer 3 includes new, dedicated and empowering features and tools such as a major batching system, letting you batch process numerous meshes and textures at the same time, or a powerful paint system freeing most of the artists' needs when it comes to basic image editing. All this in a non linear environment, making Substance Designer 3 the true only tool dedicated to texturing for game developers.

Autodesk has announced that a free pre-release trial of Autodesk Smoke 2013, the video-editing and effects software for the Mac, is now available for download over on its website. Smoke can help editors simplify workflow, centrally manage media, work interactively with high-res media throughout projects and deliver high-end content on the most recent generation of Apple iMac and MacBook Pro systems.