Stingray and Maya updates add VR support and character creation tweaks

Autodesk has released the latest updates to its Stingray engine and Maya LT animation and modelling software.

Stingray v1.2’s headline addition is support for the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift virtual reality headsets.

It now also features multi-core compilation, allowing quicker project and asset importing.

Other workflow tweaks include entity support for global illumination, fog and depth of field in the shading environment, unit component editing tool and refined UI flexibility to allow devs to use multiple monitors and rearrange tools independently.

Meanwhile, the third extension to Maya LT introduces a new quick rig tool to provide automated creation and placement of bipedal character rigs.

Additional HumanIK compatibility means that five roll bones per limbs distributes model deformations during an animation.

The modelling and UV toolsets have been expanded with a new shape authoring toolset and shape editor, plus a blendshape deformer and sculpting enhancements. A mesh mirroring command and extra tool symmetry join a new brush-based Symmetrize UV tool, multi-object support for Unfold and improved layout and auto-seam features.

Maya’s game exporter has also been improved, allowing devs to select objects in the viewport, create a named set and view it in the exporter. Click-drags allow scrolling through key animation frames to select a clip’s start and end times.