KeyShot 7 is our biggest release to date with features focused on providing more ways to create and the greatest flexibility for your 3D rendering workflow. Our CEO, Claus Wann Jensen, said it best in the press release we issues earlier:
“KeyShot 7 has amazing capabilities, but were not satisfied with only adding features. Every one of these features and every improvement must consider the user’s workflow from import to final render – simplifying every task, providing absolute flexibility and complete control across interface, camera, materials and lighting. With the input from our users, I’m convinced we have done that with KeyShot 7.”
We had more users than ever take part in the KeyShot 7 beta – users who we are eternally grateful to for both the feedback and ideas that makes KeyShot even better. They were part of turning KeyShot 7 into what it is today and an important part of how we’ll continue to make improvements in future releases.
Just a few of the favorites new features from the beta users were the updated material library, unit-aware settings, new metal presets, the new KeyShot Studios, the KeyShot Configurator and the ability to customize the user interface among many others. With that, here are the top feature highlights for KeyShot 7:
UI Customization
In KeyShot 7, you have complete control over customization of tab order, visibility and location, along with window, toolbar and ribbon position. You can then save these custom UI arrangements as Workspaces. Additionally, you now have complete control over hotkeys, the ability to change or add new hotkeys or specify camera control options that match supported 3D modeling software.
New Material Types
KeyShot 7 introduces several new material types and updates. The new Cloudy Plastic material type contains light-scattering particles to replicate complex, scientifically accurate materials such as Polycarbonate or ABS. The new Measured material type allows users to load measured material files in .axf or .xml format. The Metal material type now includes options for Color and 13 scientifically accurate metal presets while other material types have been updated with unit-aware settings and greater control over material settings. Along with the new material types, the KeyShot library presets for materials have been completely updated.
Cloudy plastic is just one of the new material types in KeyShot 7. Image: John Seymour
New Texture & Label Mapping
Texture Mapping has been completely refreshed for KeyShot 7. Updates include unit-aware settings, an improved interactive mapping tool and the ability to center a texture on the model or part. The new Planar mapping type is more versatile, replacing normal projection and planar mapping while providing the ability to control depth of planar projections. Tri-Planar, Tiled UV and Video Map have been added, with cylindrical mapping vastly improved and new procedural brush, mesh and weave textures available.
New texture types like Tri-Planar allow more flexibility when creating advanced materials. Image: Richard Funnell
Environment Updates
More scene lighting capabilities come with the addition of a new Environment list expanding the number of HDRI Environments that can be added to a single scene. With this, users can quickly toggle between different environments or drag and drop new environments into the list. The HDRI Editor is now integrated into the Environment tab and users can export a scene as a HDR or EXR to import and use in other scenes.
The integrated HDRI Editor and multiple environments support makes lighting a scene faster. Image: Nils Piirma
Real-time VR Rendering
Real-time VR rendering and output is available with the support for Stereo Perspective Cameras, Stereo Spherical Maps, and Stereo Cube Maps. This includes support for real-time view through both Oculus Rift and HTC Vive head mounted displays.
Real-time VR Rendering and VR output allows more viewing capabilities using VR headsets. Image: Formation Design
KeyShot Configurator
The KeyShot Configurator, debuted at KeyShot RenderWorld with Axalta utilizing the KeyShot Configurator at the new Axalta Customer Experience Center, is a tool available for KeyShot Pro that allows users to present model and material variations in real-time for design reviews and/or interactive point-of-sale displays. The KeyShot Configurator Wizard guides the user through quick setup of Parent Models, Components and Component Groups and allows them to select Material Variations, Studios and define layout options for the interactive presentation mode.
The KeyShot Configurator provides an interactive, real-time interface to view an unlimited array of product variations.
A video of the top 5 features and more information on what’s new in KeyShot 7 is available at keyshot.com/whats-new/. There are loads more features and improvements in KeyShot 7 so be sure to check out the entire list along with how each feature works in the KeyShot 7 What’s New Guide.
5 Things To Know
We have a 5 Things to Know When Moving to KeyShot 7 webinar coming up next Tuesday, August 8th at 10 AM PST. Don’t miss this live sessions where you’ll see a lot of the new features, find out about the changes and be able to ask questions.
