Adobe releases Substance 3D Modeler 1.6
Adobe has released Substance 3D Modeler 1.6, the new version of the VR sculpting tool.
The update adds a new Snake Hook mode to the Warp tool, making it possible to drag the surface of the virtual clay out indefinitely to create organic forms like tendrils or tree branches.
Sculpt organic and hard-surface models in VR using a virtual clay workflow
Released in 2022, Substance 3D Modeler lets users sculpt both organic and hard-surface models in virtual reality, or in desktop mode using a mouse and keyboard.
Like its precursor, Medium, which Adobe acquired in 2019, it uses Signed Distance Fields to represent 3D space, rather than treating 3D geometry as a polygonal mesh.
As a result, workflow combines elements of digital sculpting and Boolean modelling, with users able to build up forms with virtual clay, then join them or cut into them with Boolean operations.
You can find more details in this story on Substance 3D Modeler 1.0.
New in version 1.6: new Snake Hook mode for sculpting organic forms
The main change in Substance 3D Modeler 1.6 is the new Snake Hook mode for the Warp tool.
Unlike the existing Single mode, it is applied continuously, making it possible to drag the surface of the virtual clay out indefinitely, as shown in the video at the top of the story.
Suggested use cases include blocking out organic forms like tendrils or tree branches.
Improvements to the Buildup tool and materials workflow
The 1.6 update also features workflow improvements, particularly to the Buildup tool, which now uses triplanar mapping to reduce artifacts, and now defaults to free placement in VR.
In addition, materials are now included along with geometry when copying and pasting objects, or when importing scenes.
Price and system requirements
Substance 3D Modeler 1.6 is compatible with Windows 10+, and these VR headsets.
It is available via Substance 3D Collection subscriptions, which cost $49.99/month or $549.88/year. Perpetual licences are available via Steam, and cost $149.99.
Read a full list of new features in Substance 3D Modeler 1.6 in the online documentation
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