Plugins based on the FCollada API are available in Maya, 3DSMax, and MotionBuilder, providing users with advanced 3D modelling and animation tools.
One of the standout features of COLLADA is its capability to display advanced hardware rendering effects and give immediate feedback while developing a shader. The ColladaMaya plugin includes a powerful COLLADA FX functionality that allows artists and developers to create, modify, assign, and visualize complex Cg shaders.
ColladaMaya hardware shader is fully integrated with Maya's Hypershade node-based shader editor, which creates dynamic GUIs for interactive parameter controls. Artists can import a COLLADA document, exported from Maya or nVidia's FXComposer, and manipulate it in Maya while being able to create shaders with ease.
Additionally, the plug-in also supports references to legacy CgFX shader files, but certain features aren't supported in the plug-in for Maya 8.5 because of internal differences.
It is essential to note that COLLADA is licensed and distributed under the MIT License. Overall, with its seamless integration, advanced hardware rendering effects, and powerful shader capabilities, COLLADA successfully enables artists to create dynamic and detailed 3D designs with ease.
Version 3.05: N/A