The new version of the all-round 3D suite comes with many improvements, demonstrating that DAZ 3D is capable of making a viable alternative to the other well-known 3D programs. Though Carrara has never aspired to be as comprehensive as 3D Studio Max, Maya and Softimage XSI, the sixth version can easily be compared to the “titans of the 3D world.” Being developed by DAZ 3D, Carrara features extended compatibility with the Poser series and this makes it particularly proficient at integrating human figure models into elaborate scenes.

The first important advantage of this new version is its $274.50 price tag, and for all I know it seems to be the lowest one among programs of such diversity. Another strong aspect is the content support and this is easily understandable when we think of the huge community spinning around DAZ 3D’s website. Moreover, Carrara is still compatible with DAZ Studio and can now import DirectX models and scenes.

<-120x240 Vertical Banner - left->As part of the advanced human modeling features, Carrara comes with a new set of hair/fur tools users can simulate, paint, cut and brush realistic hair onto created and imported Poser models or any object modeled within Carrara. Remaining in the modeling area, we find quite a few useful additions, including displacement modeling, symmetrical modeling, a bridge tool and an extended figure editor that allows users to manipulate morph targets on human figure models.

On the animation side, the most notable addition is the non-linear animation technique, which allows users to reuse and combine previously saved clips with new ones in a multiple track environment. As far as character animation is concerned, Carrara 6 has been redesigned to support the rigid body simulation standard, with results calculated ten times faster than before.

The rendering engine can now handle realistic light absorption through transparent objects, while environments can now reflect in-scattering particles for added photorealism.

Last but not least, the scene builder received improvements such as scene scaling, a fully controllable ocean primitive and displacement terrain. In this sense, Carrara tries to offer an alternative to Terragen and Vue.

Of course, most of the additions mentioned here have been included for some time now in 3D Max,Maya or 3rd party plug-ins, but Carrara catches up. The extended set of tools is supposed to familiarize the new users with those high-grade and most of the time hidden options found in expensive suites. While Carrara may not feature all of today’s techniques, the results are most of the time comparable.

Slowly becoming a more diversified suite, in my mind Carrara still remains one of the most advanced and easy to use scene builder on the market.

Axialis, a software company specialized in the creation of Windows based applications for home users, professionals and companies, released a new version of IconWorkshop with support for Vista’s PNG-compressed icon format which allows creating icons up to 256x256 with alpha channel with smaller file size.



The program is the first editor which allows the creation of Windows and Mac icons and also converting them between the two operating systems in batch-processing mode.

The two operating systems have a type of icons that uses variable transparency which permits designing of beautiful icons with smooth borders and shadows.

The last version of the program comes with an Axialis Object Pack for icons including 150 image objects with which you can create a large number of icons with glossy effects and shapes.

It also has the ability to create icons from any image or screen capture.

With IconWorkshop you can easily create images formats using one command, import/export images, resize, adjust with numerous filters, change hue, contrast, lightness or drop shadows.

You can buy the program for a starting price of 39.95 or you can download the 30-day tryout version from here.