This latest release of Autodesk VIZ brings compelling new features and value to the problems you face on a day-by-day basis. This short guide is to help you understand what those features are and how they can help you.
Note: This topic doesn't comprehensively list all the changes in Autodesk VIZ. As you proceed through the documentation, keep
an eye out for the 
icon, which designates a new feature. You can also use the index in this reference to identify topics that contain information
about new features in the program. For topics that describe new program features, check the index entry "new feature in 2008".
For changes in existing features, check the index entry "changed feature in 2008".
Following is a list of major new features with brief descriptions and links to the relevant reference topic:
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Core performance enhancements have been made to Autodesk VIZ 2008 to maximize your productivity and accelerate your creative workflow. For example, enjoy greater viewport interactivity when working with dense meshes.
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Also useful for interactivity is the new viewport statistics feature, which displays in the viewport information about the current frame rate and number of polys, faces, edges, and vertices, both for the entire scene and for the current selection. The display updates in real time.
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The new Hidden Line rendering method improves visual feedback by simplifying wireframe viewport display.
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You can now set any viewport to display the Track View interface.
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mental ray 3.5 software adds powerful rendering functionality to Autodesk VIZ 2008. Features include:
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Create photorealistic sunlight, skylight, and skies with visible sun with the Sun & Sky solution.
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The new mental ray Arch & Design material improves the image quality of architectural renderings and improves workflow and performance in general and make it easier for designers and architects to create effects such as rounded corners, blurred reflections, frosted glass, and glossy surfaces such as floors.
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The new mental ray Car Paint material is ideal for re-creating the unique new-car look and feel, with four layers for pigment, metal flakes, clear coat, and, if the car's been on the road a bit, dirt. The same features are also available in the Car Paint shader.
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Global illumination in mental ray is now far more accessible with final gather presets and easier-to-use controls.
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When rendering very large images from the command line you can now specify how images are to be split and stitched. See Command-Line Rendering Switches.
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The Configure User Paths dialog lets you set individual paths to be absolute or relative to the current project folder.
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Many enhancements have been made to XRefs in Autodesk VIZ 2008. You can now reference all aspects of systems, including geometry and materials. You can also reference controllers and can maintain dependencies between XRef items. The XRef system’s new dependency handling lets you preview object relationships in both merge and XRef operations, providing more control over how external objects are used.
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Autodesk VIZ supports multiple materials per object in DWG files exported as ACIS solids from Revit Architecture/Structure/MEP 2008 and later, as well as solid primitives created in AutoCAD Architecture 2008 (formerly ADT) and later. See Support of Multiple Materials on Imported ACIS Solids.
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DWF Export now supports named camera views, so you can choose different views by name in the DWF Viewer program.
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Reloading XRef items works correctly even when an object in the source scene has been renamed, or deleted and then re-created with the same name.
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The new Select Similar command lets you select all items in an imported or linked DWG file with the same style(s), as defined in AutoCAD Architecture.
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Thanks to a revamped interface, the DWG Import toolset for geometry is now significantly easier to use.