Tech giant updates Scaleform, Navigation, Beast and HumanIK tools to be next-gen ready

GDC 13: Autodesk brings Gameware tools to PS4

Autodesk is bringing its entire suite of Gameware tools to the PS4, the middleware outfit has confirmed to Develop.

Autodesk has an abundance of development tech including user interface solution Scaleform, lighting tech Beast, character animation middleware HumanIK, AI and pathfinding tool Navigation, and 3D data transfer kit FBX.

The firm’s technology has been used in a plethora of triple-A titles such as Mass Effect, Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Assassin’s Creed.

As well as supporting the PS4, Autodesk has also released a number of updates for its tools in preparation for next-gen consoles.

Scaleform 4.3 includes new features such as support for additional ActionScript 3 application programming interface classes to help increase platform compatibility, and native extensions for Adobe AIR, which will enable developers to use third-party and community-developed extensions in the tool.

A wider range of colour and shape transformations have also been included, and the updated tech will also be compatible with game engine Unity 4, with support with Windows 8 also added.

Gameware Navigation 2014 meanwhile will now include a new remote visual debugging tools which Autodesk says will help with the creation of complex artificial intelligence.

The latest version of in-game lighting tech Beast features physics-based rendering to help generate more natural lighting and Open Shading Language support for increased flexibility in creating material properties.

Lastly, an update for character animation solution HumanIK enables characters to interact with and procedurally adapt to game environments at run-time. Other additions include improved support for mobile platforms, easier control for squash and stretch deformations of the neck and spine and enhanced quadruped animation support.

"We are committed to helping developers of all sizes realise their creative visions. Our Gameware products allow artists to work near seamlessly across multiple platforms and engines, while removing traditional bottlenecks and accelerating production," said Autodesk media and entertainment senior VP Chris Bradshaw.

"Our 2014 releases deliver advancements for the development community as they create new titles for both the current generation and next generation of hardware. We look forward to seeing what they come up with next." 

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