FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 12th, 2009
Onyx 3D Vegetation Sharing Portal

3DATS and Onyx Computing announce the launch of a new website through which licensed Onyx users can freely share and distribute their Onyx creations with other licensed users. Users can share their architectural visualization 3D masterpieces in these categories:

• Bamboo
• Broadleaf
• Conifers
• Flower
• Grasses
• Palms
• Other

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan 5th, 2009
Onyx Computing announces the release of two new products, two upgrades and a free 1-hour live demonstration!

• OnyxGRASS is the first dedicated parametric modeler for grasses. The modeler creates a wide variety of decorative grasses, wild grasses, and grass covers and it comes with the library of ready-to-use grasses and grass covers. As is the case with all our modelers, this modeler has a well structured, intuitive interface, easy to understand and especially so by all those who are visually inclined.
• Onyx2Max is our new plugin for 3ds Max that enables the import of Onyx proprietary 3D files to Max. It is not meant to be a competitor to our famous TREE STORM, but a complement import tool to replace obsolete 3ds file import. Onyx2Max imports Onyx 3D plants with their 3D geometry, color-per-vertex data, materials, UV mapping coordinates, and textures. Extremely useful tool for 3ds Max users!

• OnyxGARDEN Suite 2 includes our new OnyxGRASS modeler with the GRASS library. This means that the new Suite is now a collection of SIX dedicated plant modelers/creators with their respective libraries of more than 460 ready-to-use plants. In addition, the new Suite comes with our new Onyx2Max plugin and additional, new libraries with ready-to-use broadleaf and conifer trees, and shrubs.
• OnyxGARDEN SuperBundle 2 includes new OnyxGARDEN Suite 2 and TREE STORM plugin for Max.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 10th, 2008
Request for Authors of Upcoming Architectural Visualization Book

Would you like to have your work published? 3DATS is placing a call for authors for an upcoming book entitled 3ds Max Architectural Visualization – Advanced to Expert. This book will be a collection of self-contained chapters, written by dozens of industry experts, and which can be read independently of each other. The goal of this book is to take readers from an advanced level to an expert level by providing a straight-forward discussion of difficult subject matter not available anywhere else. It serves as a follow-on companion to the two previous books of the same title; the Beginner to Intermediate and Intermediate to Advanced editions. Each author selected will be provided a two page gallery spread at the back of the book, in which can be displayed examples of his or hers past work. If you are interested in becoming an author and having your work in print, we invite you to apply.

For more details, click here.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 13th, 2008
3ds Max 2009 Architectural Visualization - Intermediate to Advanced
Now Shipping

3DATS announces the shipping of its second 3ds Max book dedicated to architectural visualization industry: 3ds Max 2009 Architectural Visualization – Intermediate to Advanced. Many years in the making, this 544 page, full-color, hard-cover bound title is the combined effort of 9 different authors from around the world who have combined their experiences and skills in the creation of a book that is truly a first of its kind; an advanced 3D visualization book filled with techniques that have been time tested in major production firms for maximum speed and efficiency.

This book is the follow-up companion to the book entitled 3ds Max 2008 Architectural Visualization – Beginner to Intermediate. That book was written primarily for beginners and was designed to take 3ds Max users to an intermediate level and provide the basics needed to land a job with a visualization company. 3ds Max 2009 Architectural Visualization – Intermediate to Advanced takes the next logical step and is designed to take intermediate 3ds Max users to the advanced level, not just by teaching more advanced features, but also by teaching practical application and time-saving techniques of the tools covered in the Beginner to Intermediate title.

Included at the back of the book are numerous appendices that provide a wealth of tools including production tips, marketing strategies, business resources, a V-Ray reference guide, and much more. In the end, we believe that a great mixture of practical application and real-world experience was achieved and presented in the most logical order. We hope you agree!

Also included with the book are special discounts from leading industry vendors and valuable downloadable content. Support files are available in release 9 and 2008.

For additional information regarding this and other training material, visit the 3DATS products page at www.3dats.com/products.asp

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 22nd, 2007
3ds Max 2008 Architectural Visualization - Beginner to Intermediate
Now Shipping

3DATS is pleased to announce the shipping of the only 3ds Max 2008 book dedicated to architectural visualization: 3ds Max 2008 Architectural Visualization - Beginner to Intermediate. This 480 page, full-color, hard-cover bound book takes you through the challenge of learning one of the most complex computer programs ever created, by way of easy-to-follow tutorials and time tested production techniques. It specifically focuses on those parts of the program you need to know to be productive in the industry today.

The intent is not to show you every possible way to accomplish a task, but rather some of the fastest and most efficient ways. 3ds Max is a large and complex application - but by learning just the features that apply to visualization, and specifically the ones that really work best, you'll be learning everything you need to know to get ahead in the industry in the shortest possible time.

Included at the end of the book is a large gallery of 3D visualizations by some of the top artists in the field, along with their best advice for beginners trying to advance in the industry. Special discounts from leading industry vendors and valuable downloadable content is also available to readers. Support files are available in release 9 and 2008.

For additional information regarding this and other training material, visit the 3DATS products page at www.3dats.com/products.asp

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 20th, 2007
The Visualization Insider Returns & Free Sample Chapters Released

The final four installments of the Visualization Insider will include a sample chapter from the soon to be released book by 3DATS and three free online webinars.

3DATS announces the return of the Visualization Insider with three free online webinars and a sample chapter from one of their soon to be shipped titles on architectural visualization with 3ds Max. An additional chapter from their second title is also being released for free distribution.

• From 3ds Max 2008 Architectural Visualization - Beginner to Intermediate , comes Chapter 5 - Critical Modeling Modifiers
• From 3ds Max 2009 Architectural Visualization - Intermediate to Advanced , comes Chapter 1 - Understanding Architectural Drawings.

The final three Visualization Insider articles include online webinars hosted by VisMasters in January 2008. These webinars follow the success of the free V-Ray training webinar held in October which saw the registration of over 2500 participants. Each webinar will each be one hour in length and will cover the following subjects in depth:

• Creating Onyx trees (11AM EST, Wednesday, January 16, 2008)
• An In-Depth Look at the V-Ray Proxy (11AM EST, Wednesday, January 23, 2008)
• Building walls – Lofts vs. Edit Polys (11AM EST, Wednesday, January 30, 2008)

Registration for the free webinars will begin the first week of January on a first come first serve basis.

For additional information regarding the two new 3ds Max books, visit the 3DATS products page at www.3dats.com/products.asp

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1st, 2007
Free 3ds Max 2008 book offer to V-Ray online students

3DATS is pleased to announce a free book offer for the upcoming releases of 3ds Max 2008 Architectural Visualization. Students, who in the month of June, enroll for any future VisMasters V-Ray online training program, will receive a free copy of their choice of one of the two 3DATS books being released later this year. Students must enroll in the 3DATS/VisMasters store at http://3dats.vismasters.com between July 1st and 31st, although the classes can be taken at any time in the future. After signing up, students will receive a promotion code which will enable them to order one of the two books upon their release in November.  Students will only be required to pay for shipping. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 11th, 2007
3DATS and VisMasters announce 2 additional V-Ray training videos

3DATS and VisMasters is pleased to announce 2 additional video modules, at no additional cost, to their highly successful V-Ray online training program.  Modules 9 and 10 containing over 2.5 hours of additional training material show viewers practical lighting and rendering techniques through the use of real world projects.  Trainer Brian Smith, co-owner of the 3D production company 3DAS and 3D training company 3DATS, demonstrates how to light and render a single exterior scene and a single interior scene from scratch using past projects created by 3DAS.  Both video modules serve as a review and practical application of key features presented in the first eight modules.  With the release of these additional modules, students are provided with 7.5 hours of video training and 12 hours of live online training.  

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 23, 2007
3DAS, (3D Architectural Solutions) announces the opening of its news division, 3DATS (3D Architectural Training Solutions)

Building upon its success as a leading architectural visualization firm, 3DAS opens a new division of its firm, 3DATS, dedicated to providing the highest quality architectural training solutions available anywhere in the world. 3DATS provides the best available 3D training, consultation, content, and software available for design visualization professionals. 3DATS provides customized, 1-on-1, and group training in 3ds Max, V-Ray, and AutoCAD. Training can be conducted online, in-house, or on site.

"What makes our training services unique is that each instructor dedicates no less than 50% of their work to production," explains co-founder Brian Zajac. "We only teach what we put into practice every day, rather than wasting the students' time teaching theory or skills that may seem useful but really have no place in a production environment. Our goal is to teach students efficient, effective, and practical production techniques"

In addition to training, 3DATS also provides a unique and one-of-a-kind service; 3D design consultation. Their service is aimed assisting design professionals having difficulties with individual scenes or difficulties in workflow and procedures.

"The idea to begin a consultation service began from the insistence of several students that wanted to continue their training beyond the courses that they participated in with us," says co-founder Brian Smith. "Over the past year, so many of our former students approached us time and time again with specific problems they we're experiencing with their scenes. The more we helped them with their scenes and their general workflow procedures, the more we realized that this is a service that is sorely needed in our industry. "

"Our clients range from freelancers to large firms. Once a client provides a 3D scene, we can troubleshoot the scene and explain to the client exactly what's going on and what needs to be fixed. Our service ranges from a one page in depth breakdown of your scene's problems and some good solutions, to actually working on your scene and helping you meet your deadline."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 23, 2007
3DATS announces the development of 2 new book titles dedicated to the architectural visualization industry

With the success of his first book, 3ds Max 8 Architectural Visualization, author Brian Smith announces the development of 2 additional architectural visualization books for 3ds Max; .......................
.......................3ds Max 2008 Architectural Visualization - Beginner to Intermediate
...............................................................................and
.......................3ds Max 2009 Architectural Visualization - Intermediate to Advanced

Both books are going to be hard cover, 480 pages in length and in full color. Availability is dependent on the next release of 3ds Max. When asked why he's not producing a 3ds Max 9 book, Brian states that he "didn't want to just rename the existing title and throw a new cover on the book. The beginner to intermediate level book is a completely revamped version of the first book with new tutorials, screenshots, and product feature updates. I wanted to take 18 months to improve on the first book and make it the best possible resource for beginner 3ds Max users. Likewise, the intermediate to advanced level book takes a completely different approach and strictly teaches procedure and practices used everyday in a production environment. Nothing of it's kind is available and just like the beginner level book, I wanted to take the time to make the book as thorough and effective as possible."

When asked why he's producing 2 books rather than one large book, Brian states that he "originally was going to produce a 1000+ page book, much like Kelly Murdock's 3ds Max Bible, While that type of book works great because of it being so reference based, I realized that it wouldn't be appropriate for the visualization industry because readers don't want to purchase a 1000 page book and have half of the book be not at their skill level. With 2 books, it's much easier to provide users with instruction that they can truly benefit from, from start to finish.