Friday Informatics

Autodesk Maya 2025 comes with a host of new features and improvements designed to enhance your 3D modeling, animation, simulation, and rendering workflows. Here are some of the key features:
Modeling Tools

Smart Extrude: Allows flexible and predictable extrusion of faces on a mesh, minimizing manual cleanup.

Polygonal Modeling: Create 3D models using geometry based on vertices, edges, and faces.

NURBS Modeling: Construct 3D models from geometric primitives and drawn curves.

UV Editing and Toolkit: View and edit UV texture coordinates for polygon, NURBS, and subdivision surfaces.

Sculpting Toolset: Sculpt and shape models more artistically and intuitively.

Rigging and Animation

Keyframe Animation: Animate objects or skeletons by setting markers (keys) to indicate timing and position.

Deformers: Add deformation effects to characters and objects to tweak their appearance and enhance animation.

Motion Capture Animation: Create animation using motion capture systems.

Skeletons: Pose and animate models with hierarchical, articulated structures.

Skinning: Bind a modeled surface to a skeleton with smooth, rigid, and indirect skinning.

Retargeting: Easily retarget animation between characters of differing size, proportions, and skeletal hierarchy.

Time Editor: Create and edit animation sequences with any keyframeable object or attribute.

Nonlinear Animation: Assemble animation in sequences that you can rearrange and edit.

Graph Editor: See a graphical representation of interpolation between animation keys that you can modify.

Simulation and Effects (Bifrost)

Aero, MPM, Particles, and BOSS Systems: Deliver natural-looking effects like snow, particles, or waves.

Scattering and Instancing: Create large-scale complexity for world building or set dressing.

Bifrost Graph: Work at the lowest level of mesh creation, organize with component tags, and create geometry inside the Bifrost Graph.

Look Development

LookdevX: Build procedural materials across multiple tools with a material authoring plug-in.

Substance 2.5.0: Includes updates for creating and managing materials.

Rendering

Arnold Renderer Integration: View real-time scene changes, including lighting and materials.

OpenUSD Workflows: Improve collaboration with integrated open standards like OpenUSD (Universal Scene Description).

Pipeline Tools

Unreal Live Link: Supercharge your tools with scripting and plug-ins.

Bonus Tools: Now included in the Maya installer.

These features make Maya 2025 a powerful tool for creating detailed and realistic 3D content. Is there a specific feature you're particularly interested in?

1. New Graphics Engine: SketchUp’s upgraded graphics engine improves file navigation and responsiveness, making your modeling experience smoother

2. Ambient Occlusion: A new face style adds depth and realism by emphasizing how edges and faces interact in your models.

3. Trimble Connect Integration: Easily share view-only versions of your models and access .skp files across devices.

4. Add Location Enhancement: Simplified process for adding accurate terrain with an updated workflow.

5. IFC Import and Export Improvements: Faster IFC file imports and optimized exports.

6. USDZ & gITF Interoperability: Import and export functionality for advanced visualization workflows.

7. Scan Essentials Ground Mesh: Convert 3D point cloud scans into editable terrain meshes.

8. Extension Error Dialog: Helps identify and manage failing extensions during startup.

9. Modeling Improvements: Enhancements across core tools for increased productivity.

It allows you to create 2D and 3D diagrams with great precision and advanced tools.
It provides a professional and easy-to-use interface1.
It enables you to draw anything from small parts to complex mechanical drawings
It offers industry-specific toolsets for architecture, mechanical, electrical, and more.
It supports cloud storage connectivity and integrated workflows across desktop, web and mobile devices
It includes new features such as Mark-up Assist, My Insights, Trace, Count, Share, Push to Autodesk Docs, Drawing History, and Xref Compare.

The Autodesk Product Design & Manufacturing Collection (PDMC) is a comprehensive suite of tools designed for engineers, designers, and manufacturers. It includes software for 3D mechanical design, simulation, visualization, and documentation. Here are some of the key software and features included:

Included Software:

• Inventor: Advanced 3D CAD software for mechanical design and engineering.

• AutoCAD: Industry-standard 2D and 3D drafting and modeling tools, including specialized toolsets for electrical and mechanical design.

• Fusion 360: Cloud-based CAD/CAM/CAE software for product design and manufacturing.

• Navisworks Manage: Tools for clash detection and advanced coordination.

• Vault Basic: Data management software to organize and secure design files.

• ReCap Pro: Reality capture and 3D scanning software.

• Factory Design Utilities: Tools for planning and optimizing manufacturing facilities.

• Inventor CAM: Integrated CAM software for CNC machining.

• Inventor Nastran: Finite element analysis software for simulation.

• Inventor Tolerance Analysis: Software to understand the cost impact of dimensional variations.

• Autodesk Rendering: High-quality rendering tools for visualization.

Autodesk Structural Bridge Design 2026 introduces several enhancements, particularly in automation and compliance. Here are some key features:

• Automation Enhancements: The automation library now uses System.Text.Json instead of Newtonsoft.Json, requiring code updates for user solutions.
• AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Support: Expanded automation capabilities for American bridge design standards, including steel composite and prestressed beams.
• Moment-Curvature Analysis: New automation support for moment-curvature analysis in design sections.
• Eurocodes Accidental Situation: Added support for accidental situations in interaction surfaces for Eurocodes compliance.

Autodesk Navisworks Manage features, tailored for technical and coordination-heavy workflows:

🧠 Model Coordination & Clash Detection

• Clash Detective Tool: Detects hard and soft clashes across disciplines (MEP, structural, architectural).
• Rules-Based Filtering: Customize clash rules to reduce false positives.
• Clash Grouping & Issue Tracking: Group related clashes, assign status, and export reports.
• BIM 360/ACC Integration: Sync clash issues with Autodesk Construction Cloud for resolution tracking.

📦 Model Aggregation & File Support

• Multi-format Aggregation: Combine over 60 file types (RVT, DWG, IFC, DGN, etc.) into a single federated model.
• NWD/NWF/NWC Formats: Use lightweight cache files for performance and collaboration.
• IFC Enhancements: Improved hierarchy and property mapping using Revit-based open-source reader.

📊 Quantification

• Model-Based Takeoffs: Extract quantities directly from geometry and properties.
• Workbook Integration: Export to Excel or CSV for cost estimation and procurement.
• 2D & 3D Support: Combine drawings and models for hybrid quantification workflows.

📅 4D Simulation & Scheduling

• Timeliner Tool: Link model elements to tasks from MS Project, Primavera, or CSV.
• Construction Animation: Visualize build sequence and detect schedule conflicts.
• Task Types & Constraints: Define start/finish types, dependencies, and buffers.

🧭 Review & Navigation Tools

• Saved Viewpoints: Bookmark model views with comments and redlines.
• Sectioning & Measurement: Cut planes, measure distances, angles, and areas.
• Appearance Profiler: Color-code elements by discipline, status, or custom rules.

🔗 Integration & Collaboration

• Autodesk Docs Sync: Push/pull issues and viewpoints to cloud for team access.
• Revit Interoperability: Export clash viewpoints directly into Revit for resolution.
• Search & Selection Sets: Create reusable filters for model elements by property or hierarchy.