modo is a 3D modeling, animation and rendering program that runs on Windows, Macintosh and Linux computer systems (If you're not familiar with what 3D means in this respect, I recommend you read the previous page "What is 3D?"). Created by Luxology, a company formed by the fusion of artists and scientists, modo is a tool that we ourselves would want to use. Designed as a next-generation application with a carefully considered interface and toolset, that works in unison to provide users with a fluid and intuitive workflow. We created modo with the understanding that our users would come from a broad spectrum of industries and disciplines, meaning modo would need to be flexible. modo can easily slide in alongside existing pipelines providing individual functionality, like modeling, sculpting or texture painting; supporting a wide variety of industry standard file and image formats allowing the bi-directional exchange of data. For others, modo can act as the entire pipeline itself allowing users to design, model animate and render entirely in the same environment.
In creating modo, we started with the users, and this has been at the core of all our policies as well. This is why we have the most flexible and generous licensing policy in the industry, we license modo to the user, not to a location, or some hardware or even a dongle or any other device that limits your ability to use the software. Wherever you are is where you can use modo, regardless of platform. All you'll need is an internet connection to download the installer from your account.
For users who employ modo as a component in a multi-application pipeline there are various file format options which allow modo to interoperate with most pipeline systems. The modo user interface also allows for the quick remapping of user controls so that as the artist bounces between modo and the pipeline application, the workflow is not impaired by having to make the mental switch and change things as basic as how to tumble a viewport or activate the 'Move' tool. The modo interface itself is so malleable it is effectively fluid in operation. This allows the user to either use a standard interface configuration and thus utilize modo in a specific focused mode, or to customize and adapt modo to their most demanding workflow requirements. These options represent a tremendous amount of research, design and implementation at the Luxology labs and the end result is an application that can be painlessly inserted into an existing pipeline. modo is an application designed to enable artists to produce stunning work more efficiently than ever.
The modo architecture enables a new kind of workflow altogether, a richer and much less linear workflow. The core fusion of the various technologies (modeling, sculpting, painting, rigging, animating, lighting, texturing, simulation and rendering) allow users to leverage all technologies literally at the same time. This deep integration also enables users to leverage rendering technology while painting or use geometry to create new images which can later be used as brushes to paint detail onto other models. This interweaving of technologies makes the modo experience much greater than the sum of its parts.
Enjoy it. We do.
