What are Autodesk Maya & 3ds Max?
Autodesk Maya and 3ds Max are two popular 3d computer graphic programs. Though originally released in the 1990s, both software platforms are continuously updated and in wide use today.
Who uses Maya & 3ds Max?
Maya is very popular among digital artists. The platform is used for creating many of the graphics seen in Pixar movies, and is utilized for creating visual effects for both live action and animated television series.
3ds Max is also used for CGI animation, particularly in the video game and film industries. It’s also used quite extensively for renderings by architecture and engineering design firms, including InstaVR client AECOM. (read case study here)
What connection does Maya & 3ds Max have to VR apps?
Many impressive VR apps will use 3D computer graphics to simulate immersive worlds – be it underwater, in space, or in buildings not yet built. The transformational power of VR allows us to fully experience completely computer fabricated environments. To create the media to be utilized in the VR app, designers have to leverage programs like Maya and 3ds Max.
How do I make my Maya/3ds Max created media useable by InstaVR?
Maya and 3ds Max panoramas can be rendered directly into three supported InstaVR image types: png, tiff and jpg. Once in those formats, they can be easily uploaded into InstaVR to be authored and published.
Why should I use InstaVR with Maya/3ds Max?
InstaVR is the perfect platform for augmenting and distributing 3d computer rendered images and videos. Clients can turn their media files into fully shareable apps, complete with home screen, navigation between scenes, and gaze-activated hotspots (image, video, text, or audio narration). Our platform enables users to publish their 3d apps to iOS, Android, Gear VR, Google Cardboard, HTC Vive and web-embedded VR.
AECOM, for instance, creates CGI buildings in 3ds Max. Using InstaVR, they turn those interior office renderings into an interactive fire drill. After exporting from 3ds Max, they upload to InstaVR, add Navigation between sections of the office, augment with gaze-based hotspots (ie “Stop. Wrong way!”), and publish to Gear VR to be viewed by both AECOM and non-AECOM employees.
