A new version of FaceFX 2012 is out bringing new features and tools for creating realistic facial animation from audio files using technology of years of research working with lip-synchronization, 3D graphics, and facial animation. FaceFX has a direct support for the FBX file format and plugins in 3ds Max, Maya, Softimage, and MotionBuilder. If you think that you missed the release of the 2011 version, you are wrong, FaceFX wanted to get in synch with the Autodesk release cycle and so they decided to release the 2012 version compatible with Autodesk 2012 products.

The Foundry has announced HIERO, a new timeline tool for Nuke. According to the news release, HIERO is intended to allow VFX artists to view their work in the context of the current edit within Nuke, rather than having to tie up other tools cutting the results together. Hiero is due to be released in November 2011 and will be available on OSX and Linux, with Windows to follow. Bill Collis, Chief Executive Officer, comments, " This release is the first step on a very exciting first-year roadmap for HIERO. As you would expect, we're working very closely with our customers - the evolution of HIERO is a highly collaborative process.” 

Today Di-O-Matic released a new version of their Facial Studio v3 (Windows Edition) together with Essential version. The history of Facial Studio goes back to 2002 and from that time it’s one of the best and most used software for creating high-end 3D heads. Facial Studio includes more than 500 parameters to customize heads including option for creating heads from photos using Photo Matching tool. The exported head can be animated using FBX file format export.

Release of Cinema 4D R13 was announced just before Siggraph. Today MAXON announced the immediate availability of CINEMA 4D Release 13. Current customers who do not have an active MAXON Service Agreement (MSA) can purchase an upgrade through MAXON and its authorized dealers. Pricing and upgrade information is available at www.maxon.net. Release 13 will make its first official European trade show appearance at the IBC exhibition in Amsterdam, Netherlands, September 9-13, 2011.