Comic Life Magiq 1.0: unique comic editing, layout

plasq has released Comic Life Magiq 1.0 for Mac OS X, its photo-comic desktop publishing software designed for all ages and skill levels. Built from the ground up to leverage the power of Mac OS X 10.5 core technologies, the software utilizes Image and Core Animation for unique visual effects and elegant layouts. The included Image Editor offers tools for smart cut-out, warping and smudging, painting, skinning, green-screening and more, while the comic page layout engine can handle complex and creatively-curved comic panels, speech balloons and captions. Users can also easily drag pictures, captions, lettering text ('ka-blam!') and speech balloons to quickly develop stories.

In addition, artistic 'brushes' provide hand-drawn feel to lines, and powerful compositing tools offers the flexibly combines images. Comic Life Maqiq also offer precise control over individual comic elements, including complex gradients, reflections, brushes, line styles, fill options, and shadows

The software also delivers a modular interface that lets users hide or view details while navigating through a continuous WSYWIG page layout view. Also included are a collection of artist-commissioned templates, props, balloon shapes and spraycans to both inspire and get users straight into the fun. According to the company, the templates cover a wide variety of life's events and characters including birthdays, pets, outdoor activities etc.

Comic Life Magiq requires Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) and costs $45 (but is on special for $40 for a limited time). Crossgrades from Comic Life Basic, Comic Life Deluxe and Comic Life Apple Bundle are available for $30; a 30-day demo is available online.