Form.Z 6.0 uses an object-centric animation system. This bases animation around entire objects rather than their composite elements, according to AutoDesSys, though individual parameters and attributes can be animated as well. The company notes that animation can be used as part of the modelling process, with form.Z 6.0 able to export models at any moment along an animation path - and in a variety of model types includiing nurbz and metaformz.

Animations can be created using keyframes, along paths or using the animation palette. As well as models, form.Z 6.0 offers animation of lights, cameras and surface forms - so movies can used as surface textures. Animation settings can also be brought in from other 3D applications.

The upgrade adds support for Z Corp's ZPR file format, which enables the creation of colour prototypes using that company's 3D printers. Form.Z 6.0 includes a print preparation tool that identifies parts of a model that won't print properly and offers functions to dealing with other issues.

New modelling tools include skinned lofting, a capping operation and morphing - with improvements made to the deformation and reconstruction tools. An automatic update facility has been built-in so that adjustments and corrections to the software are applied soon after they are released.

For more information see the auto.des.sys Web site.