Luxology Showcases Modo and Unveils Nexus
Robert Padbury, 25 August 2004

During SIGGRAPH 2004 in Los Angeles, fledgling company Luxology held a private event to showcase its forthcoming software, which included the highly anticipated Modo sub-division surface modeler. The exclusive invitation-only event saw members of the press gather at the LA Museum of Neon Art to see what new software Luxology had up its sleeve. First up was Modo…

Brad Peebler from Luxology demonstrates its new Modo
sub-division surface modeling software.

Modo – First Impressions
Primarily, Modo is a sub-division surface modeler. The user interface is incredibly impressive in that windows and panels can be arranged in any way dreamed of. Modo has been designed to integrate into existing pipelines. Its scripting language is based on Perl, and it uses XML to store Modo-specific information about an object or scene on top of the object file format. Modo is designed as a command-based application where users have access to all the commands executed through a history panel, which can be modified, automated and scripted to create new functionality.

I had the opportunity to take Modo for a very brief test drive. Bearing some similarities with LightWave’s Modeler (which I’m familiar with), I immediately felt at home with Modo and was able to find many tools quickly. Considering that I had never actually used the software before, I was staggered at how quickly I could work with Modo.

Modo's interface is customizable to any configuration needed.

Nexus
Luxology also took the opportunity to unveil its upcoming Nexus software. Dubbed as a ‘3D Operating System’, Nexus can act as an underlying application core to be developed upon. Much like an API (Application Programming Interface), Nexus provides all of the base 3D technology and functionality that can be accessible via custom interfaces. For example, studios that need a customized pipeline can develop completely new interfaces and make use of Nexus’ feature-rich animation and rendering toolset. Just how feature-rich? We’ll have to wait and see. One demo at the show had Nexus rendering an endless sea of instanced 3D hippos totaling over 700 million polygons blazingly quickly.

Modo and Nexus are designed to be integrated with existing studio pipelines, hence the extreme amounts of customizability and scripting options available. Modo will begin shipping in early September 2004 for both OS X and Windows for USD$895. No word yet on when Nexus will be available, but we’re eagerly awaiting its arrival.

Related Links
Luxology

Editor’s note: We’ll keep everyone updated with developments from Luxology as information becomes available. A full review of Modo is forthcoming on CGNetworks.

All images are courtesy of Luxology. No photos were allowed during the press event.