DAZ 3D (http://www.daz3d.com) has announced a new free version of its
3D art and animation package, DAZ Studio 3, as well as the debut of
its enhanced, professional-quality toolset, DAZ Studio 3 Advanced,
whic is targeted to 3D animators, designers and illustrators.

DAZ Studio 3 offers improved OpenGL preview display with new camera
and light pointer tools, depth of field and support for version 8.5
of Pixar's RenderMan compliant 3Delight render engine. This tool is
designed to allow hobbyists to create digital art and animation using
their choice of virtual people, animals, props, vehicles, accessories
and environments. Users can select their subject and/or setting,
arrange accessories, setup lighting and immediately begin to create
artwork.

DAZ Studio 3 Advanced adds a set of new professional-level tools
including advanced render effects and shaders, COLLADA import/export,
animation keyframe editing, figure mixing and support for 64-bit
systems.

Now available forMac OS X 10.4 or higher, DAZ Studio 3 is free to
registered DAZ 3D members. DAZ Studio 3 Advanced, priced at
US$149.95, comes pre-configured with DAZ 3D content that is ready to
be loaded and rendered at the push of a button.

For even further advancement of 3D content creation, DAZ 3D
additionally offers the DAZ Studio Advanced Bundle, which couples DAZ
Studio 3 Advanced with a suite of DAZ 3D advanced content creation
plug-ins, including: Figure Setup Tools, 3D Bridge for Photoshop, FBX
Exporter and Multi-Layered Image Editor. The DAZ Studio Advanced
Bundle costs $499.95.