Autodesk has launched the new version of its 3D character animation software, MotionBuilder 2010.

The software has an enhanced shading language system, which helps user to extend the Autodesk 3D shared library. It also works independently as other Autodesk 3D programs using a command-line interface.

Windows, Mac OS X and Linux platforms also support the new standalone application. The Mac version of mental ray 7.5 is limited to Autodesk Maya 2010.

The new version has expanded physics and character simulation capabilities. Joints can now be used to link different simulated objects together for the purposes of a simulation, which means users can attach props onto their character and the physics engine will solve the secondary animation automatically.

Two software bundles titled as Creation Suites 2010 will also be released by Autodesk. The first software program will consist of Autodesk Maya, MotionBuilder and Mudbox, and the second software will include Autodesk 3ds Max, Motionbuilder and Mudbox.