3DCoat 2023

• Sketch tool improved. Enhancements to the Sketch tool make it more robust for quickly creating high-quality Hard Surface objects; including better performance and stability. There is also an option to have 3DCoat automatically apply curves over the edges of the newly created object, for additional effects (Bevel, Tubes, Run Brush Along Curve, etc). You can also work with larger sketch sizes (512p x 512p).

• Multi-level resolution. We introduced a new system for a Multi-Resolution workflow. It differs from the previous legacy system in that it generates and stores both higher and lower Levels of Subdivision rather than Proxy meshes. It fully supports Sculpt Layers, Displacement and even PBR Textures. So, for example, an artist may use Smart Materials or Stencils along with Paint tools, in order to both Sculpt and Texture Paint simultaneously, with a single stroke or click of the mouse/stylus (using the Fill tool) while working between the different subdivision levels. Multi-Level Resolution sculpting will generate lower levels via decimation, by default. However, the Retopo mesh can instead be used as the lowest Resolution (Subdivision) level. 3DCoat will automatically create multiple intermediate levels in the process. The transition between the levels is very smooth and even large-scale changes on the lowest level translates accurately all the way up the stack, to the Top level. You can rapidly step up and down the individual Subdivision levels and see your edits stored (throughout all levels) in the selected Sculpt Layer.

• Tree-Leaves generator. The recently added Trees Generator tool now has the possibility to generate Leaves, also. You can add your own leaf types, sculpt the shape if needed, and export all this as an FBX file. In CoreAPI you have the possibility to add textured objects into the sculpt scene (see the Trees Generator example).

• Timelapse recorder. A Time-lapse Screen-Recording tool has been added, which records your work at a specified interval by smoothly moving the camera and then converting it to a video. That allows you to record the process of sculpting by speeding up the process a hundred times and smoothing the camera movement. The feature can be enabled from the Tool tab in the Preferences panel (via the EDIT menu).

• Auto UV Mapping - Each topologically connective object now unwrapped separately in its own, best suitable local space. It leads to more accurate unwrapping of assembled hard-surface objects - The quality of auto-mapping improved substantially, much fewer islands created, much lower length of seams, better fitting over the texture.

• Surface mode speed improvements. It is possible to subdivide models even to 100-200M. The subdivision of Surface mode meshes has been sped up significantly (5x at least, using the Res+ command). It is possible to subdivide models even to 100-200M.

• Power Smooth Paint tool. We added a new tool to the Paint Workspace, called Power Smooth. As the name implies, it is a Super-powerful, valence/density independent, screen-based color smoothing tool. It is handy when the user needs a much stronger smoothing effect applied than the standard smoothing invoked by the SHIFT key. Paint tools were also added into Sculpt room to simplify painting over the surface/voxels.

• Volumetric color. Volumetric color completely supported everywhere, where the surface painting works, even light baking supported and conditions. Volumetric Painting also completely supported, including the correct transition of voxels to surface (and vice versa) that keeps the color/gloss/metal, color relaxing, correct functioning of surface brushes in voxel mode with the volumetric color. The Color Picker has been improved as well, allowing Multi-Selection of images (rather than just one at a time). Hexadecimal color string (#RRGGBB) is added and the possibility to edit color in hex form or just enter color name.

• Modeling workspace improvements. A new Lattice tool has been added to the Modeling room. Soft Selection/Transform (in Vertex mode) is introduced in the Retopo/Modeling workspaces. A new "To NURBS Surface" feature was added to the Modeling room. It includes options to smooth the model and merge surfaces. Please note that IGES export will require an additional license after the test period expires, because it is essentially an industrial manufacturing feature.

• Import/Export enhancements. The Export of meshes in IGES format has been enabled (this functionality is available temporarily, for testing and then will be released as a separate Addon Module for an additional cost).

• Factures Possibility to auto-generate normal map from the color map for factures (heuristics), more factures, better thumbnails;