Gugila announced today that they have released the GroundWiz 1.2, a tool that allows users to create and modify natural landscapes in 3D Studio Max/VIZ.
The new version introduces GroundWiz Planter, a mass placement and instancing tool that can handle millions of instances of 3D objects, while merging vegetation, rocks and other nature elements in order to quickly create realistic interactive nature or landscape scenes. The Planter tool was included as a way for artists to plant nature elements quickly and efficiently while allowing users to pay attention to details when required.
In addition, the new version of GroundWiz includes features for GroundWiz Terrain Map, a procedural 3D terrain map that uses fractal algorithms to generate terrain textures and mimic real-life terrain. New features added to GroundWiz Terrain Map include Mental Ray support, displacement map support (each layer can have procedurally controlled displacement), layer channel data, easier placement of max objects over the textured terrain through the use of the Viewport Texture option, and various workflow improvements and bug fixes.
In addition, layers in Terrain Map can now have thickness set up either through bump or displacement controls, and can have detail level controlled to create smooth and detailed or lumpy edges.
The full version of GroundWiz 1.2 is available as a free update to all licensed users of the software, and a free version of the software is available for personal non-commercial use.
