The new kit simplifies the importation of SolidWorks models into Modo while maintaining user interface conventions familiar to SolidWorks users.
Luxology has announced a new software kit designed to simplify the import of SolidWorks models into Modo, Luxology’s popular high-end image rendering software. The new Modo for SolidWorks Kit maintains the user interface conventions familiar to SolidWorks users, while giving them a pipeline to more advanced rendering capabilities than available in PhotoView 360, the SolidWorks built-in rendering tool built with Luxology technology.
The technology was previewed at SolidWorks World earlier this year, where GraphicSpeak got an advanced peek.
The Modo for SolidWorks Kit expands native Modo functionality with additional options for importing parts and assemblies. It also provides flexibility on how the model is organized for visualization purposes. Inside Modo, users are presented with a familiar SolidWorks-style layout and navigation controls, along with drag-and-drop support for changing materials and selecting lighting environments.
Important features in the Modo for SolidWorks Kit include:
Enhanced SolidWorks Import—Allows additional import options for bringing SolidWorks parts, bodies and assemblies into Modo. Benefits include reduced memory usage for large files and the ability to use instances for ease of editing and reduced overhead.
PhotoView 360 Compatibility—Models open in Modo with the same appearance and decal information as seen in SolidWorks.
Familiar Navigation for SolidWorks Users—User interface and navigation is similar to SolidWorks and PhotoView 360.
Tools for Selecting and Reorganizing Imported Models—Help users with the complex task of re-organizing model data so that it is easier to apply materials. Imported data can be selected by appearance, part, body or face and new layers can be created in Modo to highlight specific parts of the design.
Library of Additional Materials—350 material presets (PAD presets) beyond those included with Modo let Kit users mimic real world surfaces like leather, carpet, tinted glass and mesh grills, or even “x-ray” materials that reveal interior portions of the designs.
Studio Environment Set 1 Kit—Set of 51 HDRI spherical images complete with ground planes for obtaining professional-quality studio lighting for product shots and engineering visualizations
Training Videos—Prepared by experts in both SolidWorks and Modo, these videos guide users in the SolidWorks-specific user interface, CAD tools, workflow and rendering creation
Comments from early users
Paul McCrorey, owner of McCrorey Digital LLC was an early user. “The Modo for SolidWorks Kit is an outstanding addition to my workflow. I use the importer every day in my work and it has totally streamlined the import process. Models imported into Modo are logically arranged and maintain the same part, body, assembly structure, material assignments and decals that were created in SolidWorks. All of this will help those new to Modo to quickly get up to speed and easily leverage Modo’s amazing rendering and animation tools.”
McCrorey, who is both a SolidWorks user and a Luxology Registered Trainer, will conduct an online webinar on using the new Modo for SolidWorks Kit, April 28, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. PDT. For more information visit http://www.luxology.com/store/modoforsolidworkskit.
Anna Woods of Auerprecision.com, another early users, comments, “The training videos give a good overview of Modo and the SolidWorks kit. Default Modo can be a bit overwhelming to an average SolidWorks user.”
Modo for SolidWorks Kit is available immediately for the price of USD $299. The kit is available for the Windows version of Modo 501 and is compatible with sldprt, sldasm files from SolidWorks (2009, 2010 and 2011).
