I worked with the pre-release since the beginning of April and switched to the full release when it became available. Below are some of the new features according to E-on Software. Click on them to go to the corresponding pages on the E-on Software website.

  • Advanced Cloud Control
  • Interactive Texture Placement
  • Localized Cloud Layers
  • GPU Anti-Aliasing
  • FastHybrid Depth of Field
  • Matte Shadow

  • Improved EcoPainting
  • Custom Star Maps
  • Velocity Pass
  • Atmosphere Relighting
  • MDD File Format
  • And more............
    		•

    For a look at all the new features of both Vue 9 and 9.5 Infinite, click on the underlined words.

    I decided to look at the new features and describe how they are working. I am using a PC with Windows 7 - 64 bit.

    Localized Cloud Layers and Advanced Cloud Control are new to Vue 9.5. The former gives you the ability to extract part of the layer. Below I show how I can move clouds using the gizmo.

    Below shows how the clouds appear in the different Viewports.

    I love the ability to create cloud zones and then manipulate the clouds in the zone. The following are some screen captures demonstrating this procedure.

    Here I added another cloud layer. With Vue 9.5 I have incredible flexibility with clouds. Something I have always desired.

    The new Texture Manipulation Dialog allows you to take Projected Texture Maps and manipulate them. To do this, you must use Projected Texture Maps.

    Notice how the fish is now upside down.

    A new handy feature is the render information bar that can be attached to your image upon rendering. This way you can keep better track of data. The add render information bar can also be found on the render menu.

    New to version 9.5 is an addition to the relighting feature. Now after a render, you can use Relighting to change the atmospheric settings for the sun or the ambient light.

    Along a similar line, a new feature has been added to the backdrop menu.

    Below illustrates the "Override" command.

    I didn't use depth of field (dof) much in prior versions, usually making my changes in Photoshop. As a photographer, I always was aware of the functions that controlled dof and used them all the time for different effects. Now with the release of Vue 9.5 Infinite, dof has been improved, especially the speed of rendering.

    Just for an example, using the same controls, I rendered it without checking the depth of field box. Notice the difference.

    Requirements & Pricing

    Minimum System Requirements

    Vue 9 is a 32 & 64 bits application, designed for the Windows® 32/64 bits XP, Vista and Windows 7 and Intel Mac OS X platforms.

    Like all 3D packages, it is highly demanding in terms of computer power. Although the application is totally multi-threaded to ensure the smoothest possible response, you have to realize that there is a lot going on when you work in Vue 9.

    Please note that using Vue on a system carrying the below specification may result in slow response time and longer render times!

    Please read further on for recommended minimal specification for an optimal Vue experience.

    Macintosh Windows

    Recommended System Specs

    Native Cocoa

    Vue for the Macintosh platform was rewritten from the ground up to reap maximum benefits of Apple's latest Mac OS X operating systems.

    Vue will now run natively on the Mac in 64 bit. On top of the added benefit of accessing more memory, performance is also dramatically improved with an overall boost of up to 3 times faster over previous Carbon 32 versions!

    Go here for information on both video board compatibility and pricing structure.

    I played with the pre-release since it was made available and now I am using the full release. I have found this version to be very responsive with some really nice new features. The new cloud controls are especially nice, and I know I will now use dof much more. I use Vue for a huge portion of my work and like this new version a lot.

    Information on all E-on Software products can be found at: http://www.e-onsoftware.com.