Comixware SE v3.0: interactive storytelling

Yi.magination Studios this week released Comixware SE v3.0, its interactive storytelling software. The company says the application marries multimedia presentation/editing and an interactive player/editor into a single system designed for both content creators and views. In addition, both viewers and authors can modify and remake other user’s multimedia presentation in Comixware’s object-oriented authoring environment. Version 3, codenamed SE, is a major revision that includes a new file system with a new modular architecture that allows users to integrate movie-making tools along with other modules such as a Movie Exporter or vendor assets.

The new Movie Exporter module allows users to output proprietary Comixware movie or as a QuickTime format for wider distribution and post-production. The pro-grade movie exporter can output picture for any screen resolution, the company claims. The module also offer an unique Flash transformation function to convert vector-based animation into feature-quality footage.

The Gallery function, Comixware’s community system, now accommodates multiple channels that are directly accessible from the main program. Each gallery can be customized for its own purpose and hosted by different user. The Program’s distributed asset architecture and filtering technology allow rich media to be exchanged online in new ways.

Finally, the software supports programmable objects with multiple instances (animated or static), which can be used for pseudo 3D presentation and/or interactive storytelling.

The cross-platform, for both Mac and PCs, allows users to run both versions of the software on a single license. Comixware SE is compatible with Windows operating systems (Windows 98, NT4, 2000, ME, XP and Vista) and Mac OS X operating systems (up to Tiger 10.4.11: all functions except the Flash work in Mac OS X Leopard 10.5 due to QT 7.4 issues). SE is $20, while the Movie Exporter module is $50 and Float Episode I (vendor asset module) is $20.