GroBoto 3D 2.3 updates 3D imaging software
updated 08:15 pm EDT, Sun June 15, 2008
GroBoto 3D 2.3 released
Braid Art Labs has updated its Groboto 3D imaging software to tease users with a “sneak preview” of the upcoming version 3.0. The company says it will roll out “limited implementations” of several version 3 features in the coming weeks to preview the new release. The software offers intelligent, algorithmic drawing tools called ‘Bots’ that create unique geometric forms ranging from organic, to abstract, to architectural. Bot behaviors, drawing shapes, and textures are adjustable in real-time and users can create and save unlimited Bot variations. The first teaser includes a revamped style editor that adds graphical and paint effects to final rendering, including outline effects, spatial lighting gradients and depth-of-field simulation.
The software offers intuitive, relational editing of objects with antialiasing, textures, fog, and cast shadows from multiple light sources along with usual graphic editor features such as grouping, reshaping, alignment to the surfaces of other objects -- all in realtime at full render quality with cast shadows.
GroBoto also offers a Kinetic Morphing animation system that produces sophisticated, complex, fluid motion automatically based on just a few Bot keyframes. In addition, optional rendering modes include alpha (RGB + alpha), depth (Z) alpha (unmultiplied RGB + Z) and depth composite-alpha (multiplied RGB + Z) to TIFF for both still and sequential image output.
Other features includes layered Fog atmospherics with color, thickness, altitude and transparency controls as well as a Starfield Generator and Self Illuminating Objects & Textures.
The new tools are “technically 2D filters and effects, but they tap into the scene’s 3D data,” According to developer Darrel Anderson. “They take your images to a new level... putting the artist back into 3D art."
It can output to TIFF, JPEG, BMP (PC), AVI (PC) and QuickTime (Mac).
Verson 2.30 is available as a Universal Binary for Mac OS X (10.4 or later); it is priced at $80 and a 30-day demo is also available.
