Spiral Graphics has announced Genetica 4.0: the first major update to the procedural texture and HDRI-editing package in almost three years, and one that steps away from node-based-only workflow.

A new editing workflow
According to Spiral Graphics, Genetica 4.0 will offer users “a streamlined new way of editing graphics based on tweaking options in an intuitive interface”.

To judge by the screenshot on the company’s website (reproduced above), at least part of that new way is to provide slider controls for common texture properties like depth, occlusion and erosion.

Spiral Graphics comments that “the existing node-based approach is still there for power users, but is no longer a necessity for performing common operations.”

3D texture synthesis and scripting support
Users of the Pro or Studio editions of the software also get options to procedurally synthesise textures to match a UV-mapped model; and Studio users get the new Pixelscript scripting language.

Other features include new freehand drawing and tracing tools, including a pressure-sensitive brush; and a new system for applying Photoshop-style filters to images.

The latter offers a wide range of effects, but perhaps not that many you’ll use regularly in professional work.

Due out early next year
A beta of the software, which is Windows only, is due early next year, with a commercial release later in the first quarter. Anyone pre-ordering now gets a 40% discount on the list prices, which range from $149 to $899.

Read more about the new features of Genetica 4.0 on the Spiral Graphics website
(Little extra detail yet)

Tags: Genetica, Genetica 4.0, node-based, Pixelscript, procedural, Spiral Graphics, texture editing, texture synthesis, texturing, uv mapping