Woke up this morning, yawned, grabbed a coffee and logged on to E-on's site to see what was new. The following news woke me up and put a smile on my face. :-) It all looks good to me but does "ultra-realistic 3D tree and plant technology" = editing?

"August 30, 2004 Press Release

E-on Software Unveils Vue 5 Esprit!

NEW FEATURES HIGHLIGHTED IN "COMMING SOON" VIDEO!

August 30, 2004. Beaverton, Oregon: e-on software, the world leader in nature simulation software, presents a preview video of the fifth iteration of Vue Esprit, its award winning scenery rendering and animation software for casual and advanced digital artists.

QuickTime Preview, entirely Vue 5 Esprit rendered (4MB).

Download the video (right-click/"save target as")

Vue 5 Esprit, The Art Of Natural 3D!

Vue 5 Esprit succeeds in combining unequaled ease-of-use and creativity with the latest advances in rendering technology. With a dedicated toolkit for the creation and rendering of realistic scenery, Vue 5 Esprit brings Natural 3D to everyones hand. Superb image quality, incredible render speed and unbeatable ease-of-use help make Vue 5 Esprit the best 3D scenery software for casual and advanced digital artists!

A selection of the features in Vue 5 Esprit include:

Global Illumination and Radiosity with EasyGI single slider quality setting,
High Dynamic Range Image (HDRI) and Image Based Lighting (IBL),
Procedural Terrains with sub-pixel detail whatever the viewing distance,
Advanced atmospheric engine,
Ultra-realistic 3D tree and plant technology,
SmartGraph Function and Material Editor
Metablobs from all primitives for improved organic modeling,
Complete 3D Text editing capability for high quality video and titling effects,
Integrated post-processing and camera switching,
Pre-animated Mesh Support
Advanced OpenGL Previewing
Numerous productivity and feature enhancements.

A complete and detailed list of features will be available when Vue 5 Esprit ships.

Vue 5 Esprit will maintain compatibility with Mover 5, e-on software's popular animation expansion pack for Vue d'Esprit 4 and Vue 4 Professional.

The Macintosh OS X and Windows 2000/XP versions of Vue 5 Esprit will be released simultaneously end of September 2004.
Vue 5 Esprit will be initially released in English. German, French and Japanese versions will follow. The estimated street price for Vue 5 Esprit is $249.
Vue d'Esprit 4 owners will be able to upgrade to Vue 5 Esprit for $149. Users who bought Vue d'Esprit 4 after October 1st 2003 will have a special upgrade price at $129.
A $99 sidegrade will also be available for Vue 4 Professional owners eager to lay their hands on the next version of Vue. The Vue Professional line of products will follow its own development path.

About e-on software's product line
Easy to use and productive, the Vue product line offers solutions for professional users as well as hobbyists wanting to create still or animated natural 3D environments.

Vue 4 Professional combines ease of use with the underlying power of a high quality renderer cutting-edge features such as synchronization with all major 3D applications, full compositing options and G-Buffer support, advanced wind and breeze simulation, hybrid network rendering, full import/export options and a highly productive interface, Vue 4 Professional is available for $599, with academic versions available from $199.

Vue d'Esprit 4 for Windows and Mac OS X comes with 2 CDs, bursting with 30 SolidGrowth 2 tree and plants, over 100 atmospheres, 100 different types of clouds, 300 materials, 250 high quality fully textured 3D objects, 50 example scenes and a 340-page manual. Vue d'Esprit 4 is still available for $199, with academic versions available from $169.

Mover 5 for Windows and Mac OS X expands on the already powerful animation in e-on software's Vue/Esprit and Vue/Professional, allowing for inclusion of fully animated digital characters, enhanced, new motion effects, and network rendering. Mover 5 for Windows and Mac OS X is available for $99 and will be compatible with the Vue 5 product line.

Ozone 2.0 for Windows and Mac OS X is the most complete, elaborate and productive solution for creating realistic (or surrealistic) skies and atmospheres in Cinema 4D and LightWave. Ozone 2.0 is available from $199.

About e-on software
Founded in 1997, e-on software was established to develop and promote the highest quality graphics tools. E-on software was founded on the premise that powerful graphics tools should never get in the way of a designer's creativity. E-on software's product line includes the award winning Vue d'Esprit 4, Vue 4 Professional and the Ozone 2.0 line of professional atmospheric plug-ins. E-on software is based in Beaverton, Oregon. Visit their website at http://www.e-onsoftware.com.

Press Contact
press@e-onsoftware.com
503-372-9698
or
+33 1 43 14 28 15"

I see that Phoul has been busy again.... And if that was -animated- metablobs...oh, did the range of effects suddenly grow by an order of magnitude... That's going to be worth the sidegrade from VuePro just for the lighting enhancements! (looks at the rendergarden to the right) I think I'm glad I overbuilt it a little; those lighting options -have- to cost...

yep its for sure an affordable upgrade, neat looking vid presentation aswell

Think I'll wait for the F- 50.... is a line from a pink floyd song that comes to mind when thinking of Vue 5. Can't see anything in this version that is really worth having. How many cds can 1 have with a bunch of the same vue scenes saved. Those cds should be filled with new textures and objects that are different from the previous versions of vue. We need more reasons to buy then the same old blob maker and tree modifier and radiosity. I think the video presentation had way too fast of editing that doesn't allow you to see the new features. Does it all have to be sales and are we really that easily manipulated by fasy editing and sound. I hope vuepro5 is better without any saved scenes involved in the purchase. I'm saving for 3dstudio max which blows vue out of the universe unless pro5 comes out 1st with a good feature list.

advanced opengl,radiosity and hdri.. for $250..... that a great deal...actually it's a steal... when can we pre-order?

From the features list, Vue 5 is going deeper in existing features rather than adding new ones. I'm intrigued by the "materials editor".

If the HDRI and radiosity features are good then my copy of Carrara will be going on eBay. :-)

These features are very advanced and for a domestic package, the price is a bargain. I suspect my rendering times are going to increase substantially but the quality improvement should more than compensate.

on first glance, its a pass for me. I personally think the upgrade price is too high..$99 maybe, but not $149.

It's hard to tell based on that video..it was to way too fast & short. I'd like to see specific renders showing the new features.

Hard to tell, but I don't see any tree motion in the video like Vue Pro has.

no tree editor from the BRIEF description. And, yes, that video was about 100 times too fast...might as well not even show the thing. Now...will the new trees and plants built in Pro be useable in Vue5????

I noticed the announcements earlier today. I haven't had a chance to visit e-on's site yet, or to view the video.

I'll reserve judgement until I know more.

Hopefully, Vue 5 has FULL Poser 5 import capability.

The question is -- should I buy Vue 5, or should I wait for the Vue Pro upgrade?

We'll see.

I was thinking about purchasing Carrara w/Transposer. This gives me pause.

Message edited on: 08/30/2004 17:50

Depending on more SPECIFIC details emerging...I think I I'll just save my pennies & go for the Pro Version in Feb. when it's bonus time. I definately can't afford to keep 2 different versions going. I don't understand why they are waiting to SHIP date to give out more specifics...I find that odd.

they apparently do not want pre ship orders

You can view the video frame by frame by using the frame advance buttons on the right side.

Come on, look at the cars! You can see the difference that GI has made. I went over to Carrara for HDRI, seems I can come back to Vue again now they have industry standard lighting. Very good price too!

My only complaint is why did they even bother to bring Vue Pro out. They should have made us all wait a little longer for Vue 5. Will get the Pro sidegrade which is nice!!

Rokol.

Message edited on: 08/31/2004 02:24

Just after posting the above I found that Carrara 4 is coming out with improved landscape & sky editors. Biggreenfurrything you might want to check out Eovia's site today as well.

Rokol, yep, just got the e-mail from 3Dxtract.com re: Carrara 4 Pro so hot footed it over teo Eovia's site. Can't believe the upgrade deal they have on 4 Pro. Transposer & CADStyle plugins plus Amapi 7 Designer thrown in for free! This is a real no brainer choice. Looks like I'll be sticking with Carrara. Sorry E-On.

cant find anything on eovias website? nevermind, visited the 3dxtract site.

Message edited on: 08/31/2004 06:23

Attached Link: http://www.eovia.com/carrara4/product_intro_car4.jsp

mm have to say that carrara 4 pro looks realy good, its a nice list of improvements and the bundle is great. i might have to pick it up and use it alongside vue5. the c4 pro version has tons things that makes it a neat buy(atleast by the looks of it) and a perfect companion to vue5, have to check out the c4 pro demo when it ships and see how they get along :)

Hmmmmmmm.... There's a lot going on here. I think that I might go for the full Carrara Studio 3 purchase/free upgrade to Carrara 4 Pro option..... And then wait for the Vue Pro upgrade to buy from e-on.

Ditto Xeno...hmmmmmmmmmmmm....That offer looks fantastic.

I succumbed and pre-ordered C4Pro. I've been fiddling with C2 then C3 for a couple of years but always came back to Vue for the terrain and atmosphere editors. Now I wonder if I'll bother with Vue 5. Hmmmm indeed.

I wish they had described some of those features in more detail and hopefully they will when it's released. Like Ultra-realistic 3D tree and plant technology. What does this mean in relation to what is already there? I am always game for more realistic trees. Unfortunately marketing tends to write these things. Money is going to be tight for me, so I will have to see what everyone says on this one before deciding. I hope there is not a date on the sidegrade offer.

And yeah, that video is on speed or something...

I'll give the video one thing - it really shows off how good the motion blur is :-)

The more I think about it, I'm going to stick to Vue. I do use Carrara 3, and may upgrade someday but I can't imagine that even with an improved terrain editor; it still won't match Vue.

dont know about u guys but i dont see c4 pro and vue5 esprit or pro as real competitors, i see them more as perfect companions. its clear that c4 pro will feature lots of things vue 5 wont, but on the other hand vue5 esprit and especialy pro will have alot of stuff that c4 pro isnt even close to, might be me underestimating the improvements eovia has done to the tree and terrain editor and atmosphere but i doubt it. as far as i can see the c4 pro bundle and vue 5 esprit or pro would make for one impressive combo

You're right there war2. Being able to animate a landscape enviroment in Vue5 & zoom down for a macro shot in C4 because they will both utilize the same HDR maps is gonna be something magical. With the physics engine in C4 for that special touch. I was speculating as to whether the crossover via Lightwave format may even allow Vue5 files to take on the physics behaviours in C4. Both apps will now support import/export of lightwave files, could take the whole Vue5 scene over to C4 & really go to town! Rokol.

I'm waiting for Vue Pro 5.

I'd like see a comparison chart for Vue5 to Vue Pro, that would be very helpful.

This is getting even more complicated.

With the release of Shade 7 by Curious Labs, I'm having doubts again about Carrara........

But I will be upgrading to Vue Pro 5, when it becomes available.

well shade 7 is another app that is affordable and powerful. i would say its alot less diverse then c4 pro, but when it comes to what it does (modelling/rendering) more powerful, so shade 7 would for some be a perfect vue5 companion and of course theres no doubt it will work perfectly together with poser. but yeah ive too been looking @ shade 7 for quite some time, part from upgrading to vue 5 im looking @ both shade7 and c4pro, havent made up my mind yet tho on which of the apps ill get together with vue5, and ill take my time, going to try both apps before making a decision.

One thing I will add, is that with C4Pro you get Amapi 7.1 which some say is tough to beat. I have never used Amapi more then just experimenting but it does look impressive. The tutorial on how to make a spaceship in about 5 minutes using only a cube primitive and subdivision surfaces is great. As for shade, I never heard of it before I saw the press release. And it does look very good. I have both Carrara 3 and Vue, so I know I will be upgrading both of those. The best thing about Carrara and Vue is the community, I don't know how Shade 7 compares in this respect... Regards, Paul

Totally confused! Will there be a Pro version of Vue or is version 5 inclusive of the Pro version?

Paul, Amapi is an awesome modeller. It's both quick and very powerful. Eovia's support is excellent too.

OneShot, answers to your questions are "yes" and "no" respectively.

E-On are committed to producing two products: Vue for the domestic / enthusiast market and Vue Pro for the commercial market.
E-On are releasing the "domestic" version of next release of Vue before the release of the Pro version. This goes against accepted practice of launching all versions of a new release simultaneously i.e. Eovia announcing Carrara Studio 4 and 4 Pro, CuriousLabs launching Shade in all three versions.

There will be a release of Vue Pro 5: it would be strategically (and financially) damaging to E-On if there was not.

The dilemna facing "Vuers" currently is one of timing:

• Upgrade from Vue 4 to Vue 5 and hope you won't want the features in Vue 5 Pro?
• Sidegrade from Vue 4 Pro to Vue 5 because you want the new features straight away, then upgrade again when Vue 5 Pro comes out?
• Wait for Vue 5 Pro and risk missing out on the intial upgrade / introductory proces for Vue 5?

A cynic might say E-On is attempting multiple sales to the same customer. Personally I think they simply don't know how to market / communicate / manage expectations. Pity, as they're generally a good bunch and the product is excellent.

Message edited on: 09/05/2004 17:43

Do'h well said!

Could it be that Vue 5 has been pushed up because of the news about Bryce? E-on may not have the staff to work on the consumer and pro versions at the same time. I don't think the pro version is really what a pro is looking for. I'm not a pro, but I do use Cinema 4D. I haven't had much luck using Vue Pro with C4D. I think e-on missed the mark with Vue Pro 4. Maybe Vue Pro 5 will be more what a pro is looking for. Specifically, I'm not impressed with the export features of landscapes and plants. You get huge models and textures which take a very long time to export and don't look very good when imported into C4D. I would have preferred a plugin approach like they did with Ozone. Working inside Vue Pro 4 is probably fine, but one of the main features of the pro version should be exporting to other apps.