Key 3D Toolsets and Full Version are now available for 3ds Max 2009 and 3ds Max Design 2009 on the Windows 2000/XP platform

To purchase Toolsets and / or Key 3D Pro Subscription (full version) or to download purchased products from your account please click the Purchase link and go to either Online Shop or My Account. If you require login information please e-mail support@key-3d.com. Install instructions are on the same page

Autodesk VIZ 2008 subscription is now not available and will probably be removed from the Autodesk product list at the start of August 2008. There is currently a promotion to upgade VIZ to Max available until 17th July 2008:

1.   Anyone with a VIZ 2008 subscription purchased before 12 February 2008 can upgrade to Max Design Edition for circa £200 plus free of charge transfer of subscription. Subscription is then renewed as a Max subscription at £395

2.   What does someone do if they have a VIZ sub coming up for renewal ? – They can cross grade for £189 and then pay the MAX Design sub renewal of £395

3.   How much does a customer pay who has VIZ 2008, not on subscription to go to MAX 2009 Design ? – Normally RRP is £1,185. However, under the promotion the RRP is £829.50 with mandatory subs of £395

4.   What if you have a VIZ 2005 or earlier version? - You can no longer upgrade this and can either purchase VIZ 2008 then cross grade as above (3) or purchase Max 2009 Design at £2,730

27/02/08

We are pleased to announce that we are now working with CADTutor.net to deliver web-based support for Max / VIZ and Key 3D. This excellent free support site for mainly AutoCAD users has been developed by our friend and colleague, David Watson of Greenwhich University. It has thousands of hits a month and a large community. The excellent forums and large community can only benefit you, our clients, so please get involved if you want to get the most out of it

FORUMS

You will notice that there is a link now on our website under ‘Support’ (or just go to www.CADTutor.net)

Please take a minute to register on the Forum section of CADTutor.net. When registered and as a member of the CADTutor forums you can participate in all that is on offer (lots of well established AutoCAD based forums and more), plus four new forums which are being managed by us at Key 3D Ltd. These are as follows:

MAX / VIZ General
Beginner’s Area
Infrastructure, Architecture and Landscape Visualisation
Key 3D

These no doubt will start rather slowly, but gain momentum the more they are used
If you need any help using Max, VIZ or Key 3D software, then just post a thread and watch the help pop up. And remember, the more you use it and contribute (yes, this is the crux), the more you will get out of it

TUTORIALS

The following tutorials are up for viewing / printing (if not up now they will be in a few days):

Key Fundamentals for Max/VIZ for infrastructure and landscape (updated)
AutoCAD 2D to 3D Scene using Max/VIZ/Key 3D (these have been updated with new techniques)

Plus, we intend to put up monthly tutorials for Max/VIZ/Key 3D and are already planning some to ‘kick start’ this area

* Please note that the existing Key 3D Web Support is now no longer active

Key 3D Development and Sales changes

As part of our long term plans for how we offer and distribute Key 3D, we have split the main installation into 8 separate modules:

KEY 3D MODULES

Surfacing
Positioning
Image Objects
Model Objects
Content Manager
Highways
Materials
Environment and Viewing

This is to give a degree of flexibility in the development of the modules and to offer the most relevant parts of Key 3D to anyone who wants it at a very reasonable price. Model Objects, for example, including all libraries and categories of models will be available for £95. These changes will come into effect over the next few weeks

ONLINE STORE

Towards the middle to the end of March we will be launching the Key 3D Online Store, where anybody can purchase and download Key 3D Modules, Key 3D Bundles (at discount) or a Key 3D Pro Subscription (at an even bigger discount). The Key 3D Pro Subscription will take over from our Key 3D Service Agreement, will be the same price as we offer currently and will offer all modules (in one install) and access to User Group meetings, and any upgrades. So, if you are already paying for a Key 3D Service Agreement only the installation procedure will change. Please note that all Key 3D Modules and full installations will be tied to the version of Max or VIZ stipulated in the order and will need to be re-purchased if you upgrade to a more recent version of Max or VIZ. if you have a Key 3D Pro Subscription, then updating can be done anytime as part of your subscription

Launch of 3D Studio Max Design 2009 and termination of Autodesk VIZ

Those who use Autodesk VIZ most probably will have received an e-mail from Autodesk containing the following information:

“…… we intend to introduce Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design 2009 software, a new and uncompromised version of 3ds Max tailored to the needs of architects, designers, engineers, and visualization specialists.
In the coming months, we will be working to manage the transition of VIZ customers to 3ds Max Design. As part of this transition, all Autodesk VIZ development efforts are being transferred to 3ds Max Design. There is no plan for further development of Autodesk VIZ software”

So, what do we know about timescales etc ? Below is what we know as developers at the present time and unfortunately, I do not know how much the transition will cost. I will inform you as soon as we know

Over the coming months users of Autodesk VIZ will have the opportunity to take advantage of cross-grade programmes to move to Autodesk 3ds Max Design. Details of 3ds Max Design 2009 will be announced in March 2008

Please note that Key 3D will be available (when updated) for 3D Studio Max Design 2009. We will keep you posted on this issue