03/07, 1:10am
Tools aim to ease workflow for web designers
Adobe has released two new tools for web developers and designers, a new version of it's HTML5 animation tool Adobe Edge and an all-new tool for quickly previewing web designs on desktop, notebook and mobile devices called Adobe Shadow. The company will be showcasing these and other tools for HTML5 web development and mobile solutions at SXSW Interactive and all-day training camps being held this weekend in Austin, Texas.
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08/01, 4:45am
May compete with its own Flash Professional
Adobe Labs has unveiled a public preview release of Adobe Edge, the company's own take on HTML5 animation and interaction design. The free download is available now for both Mac and Windows platforms, but should be considered pre-beta software. The tool in some senses competes with Adobe's own Flash Professional, allowing web designers to create motion and interactive elements using standards such as HTML5, JavaScript and CSS3.
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06/08, 9:00pm
Update improves vector selection, lip-sync, more
Smith Micro has launched an update to its animation software, Anime Studio Debut 8 and Anime Studio Pro 8. Version 8 adds a Character Wizard for easy assembly of people and creature characters, featuring a large library of character faces and parts and easy adjustments to heads, torso and limbs. Proportion controls, facial adjustments and pre-built animation joints are all on tap for fast character building. The interoperability of the character parts and the library of pre-built faces allow animators to quickly build large numbers of animatable characters. The Character Wizard also supports user-generated art, and artists can add user-generated art to each drop-down option.
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05/25, 1:25am
App adds SSE-optimized subdivision surfaces
Martin Wengenmayer has launched an update to his 3D modeling software, Cheetah3D 5.7. It offers 3D rendering and animation, in addition to modeling, with the promise of being easy to learn. The update focuses on new hotkeys, now supporting almost 200 commands and custom Javascripts, and adds a new preferences window with a Cocoa toolbar, along with bug fixes and optimizations, especially SSE-optimized subdivision surfaces.
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06/02, 11:45pm
Update works with video editors, exports to iPad
Boinx Software has loosed an update to its still-image animation software, FotoMagico 3.5. The software generates slideshows from a set of still images, supports movies -- with in- and out-point edits -- as slideshow frames, and allows users to add multiple audio tracks and narration track recording. FotoMagico can quickly build slideshows from basic elements, while customization options can be used to take the designs further.
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05/13, 2:45am
Node Plug-in works with After Effects, FCP, Motion
Noise Industries and Yanobox have released a new visual effects generator, Yanobox Nodes. Nodes distributes graphics and text in 3D space offering a variety of shapes, like spheres, circles, and spirals. It connects the shapes on a succession of moving lines and curves. The user interface enables fast parameter customization and built-in oscillation. Key-framing abilities add to animation options and the plug-in supports adding custom images to nodes.
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03/25, 5:20pm
Version 3 improves exports, adds animation options
Aquafadas has pushed a new update to its animated slideshow software, PulpMotion 3. It allows users to build slideshows via drag -and-drop, utilizing over 100 pre-built themes, with support for music and audio/media sync. It offers HD export to Apple's Mail, iDVD, iWeb and GarageBand or to Apple devices such as the Apple TV or iPod. Pulp Motion is available in an advanced version that adds extensible themes and full-screen navigation of media files.
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02/16, 5:50pm
New export formats added
Mirye has released an update to 3D modeling and animation suite, Shade. Version 10 brings a variety of new features, with an overall focus on integration with other software. Users can now take advantage of multi-pass rendering for creating layered TIFF files that allow post-processing of individual effects. The update also offers a new 3D manipulator, custom work panes, and customizable viewports.
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12/09, 6:55pm
Free trials of 3D modeling and animation tools
E-on has announced several new software options in the Vue 8 family of 3D rendering and animation tools. The Vue 8 Personal Learning Edition (PLE) is essentially a fully functional version of the company's xStream/Infinite utilities. Users can create and complete projects, save the work, and render stills or animations without any size or length limits.
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11/23, 8:35pm
Renderings processed by Amazon's EC2 system
SideFX has announced a new cloud service, HQueue, that is designed to work with the company's Houdini animation software. The Python-based job manager utilizes Amazon's EC2 compute loud to process renderings and simulations, but without requiring the user to leave the Houdini interface. Intensive computing can be processed by EC2 while the workstation resources are left free for other work.
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11/05, 6:35pm
Software follows Vue 8 releases eary in the week
Following the release of Vue 8 Infinite and xStream this week, e-on is now shipping the rest of its Vue 8 animation utilities including Frontier, Pioneer, Esprit, Studio, and Complete. Frontier provides tools for creating scenic nature and Poser character rendering. The software supports any static Poser model and allows users to render the models using the native shading trees of Poser. A free version of SkinVue is included for enhancing skin realism.
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11/03, 8:40pm
Animation software geared towards teens
Toon Boom Animation has launched a new animation title, Flip Boom All-Star, aimed at teens and older users. The software can import digital images and provides drag-and-drop drawings that are ready to be added to animations. It supports text entry and handles MP3 audio files. Animations can be uploaded to portals such as Facebook and YouTube, or transferred to an iPod or iPhone.
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10/13, 11:30pm
Vue 8 increases performance, terrain sculpting
e-on software has announced its upcoming Vue 8 product line consisting of CG Professionals, 3D Artists and 3D Enthusiasts software packages. Vue 8 for CG Professionals consists of the Infinite and xStream app, and delivers tools creating realistic digital natural environments. With Vue 8 for 3D Atrists users receive Vue 8 Esprit, Studio and Complete, which enables developing of 3D digital nature scenery and landscapes, and has the new Vue 8 Studio software packing features that resemble what’s found in Vue 7 Pro Studio. Lastly, Vue 8 for 3D Enthusiasts includes Vue 8 Pioneer & T-Packs and Frontier software, allowing for science nature creation.
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06/25, 7:40pm
Toon Boom 5 released
Toon Boom Animation has released Toon Boom Studio 5. The application is used to create video animations in a variety of styles including traditional, digital, cut-out, rotoscoping, or a combination of styles. The update features stop-motion capabilities and time-lapse Imagery that is used to edit the speed of video frames. Toon Boom 5 also boasts a new interface and Chroma Key tools enabling users to replace the background in a video. User's can also position elements of their project more accurately using Onion Skinning.
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06/19, 7:10pm
modo 401 ships
Luxology has launched modo 401 , the next generation of its 3D content creation software. The new update focuses on enhancing rendering and animation. Rendering enhancements include caustics, dispersion, blurry refraction, volumetric lighting and deep shadows. modo 401 adds instance replicators which allow dense amounts of surface detail like rivets, trees and barnacles to be rendered with trillion polygon detail. There is also light linking, stereoscopic rendering and support for multiple environments that provide precise control over scene lighting. Version 401 can render on up to 32 cores across a network of 50 workstations.
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06/16, 11:30pm
DAZ 3D updates released
DAZ 3D has released a new version of its flagship software, DAZ Studio 3. The application is used to design 3D models and features pre-rendered virtual animals, props, vehicles, people and environments. The application can also add lighting and shading to models. The update supports 64-bit systems, COLLADA import and export functions, figure mixing, and animation keyframe editing.
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05/03, 11:10pm
Toon Boom Studio 5
Toon Boom Animation has announced Toon Boom Studio 5, an update to its software that allows animators to create, animate and publish projects. Version 5 adds stop-motion animation, improved image-playback optimization and the ability to review a series of pictures using time-lapse imagery. Also new is a "chroma key screens" function that enables users to change the background screens, while a preview window displays live feeds and provides customization options for the subject, focus and brightness.
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12/16, 12:25pm
Elements+, MacTubes
aLunch 3.6 (free) is an application launcher that is accessed from the menubar. The applications contained within it can be organized to make finding items quick and logical. In version 3.6 when a folder is registered into the launcher widow, the function which displays a hierarchical menu by right-clicking is added. The new version also has received slight performance optimizations. [Download - 1.1MB]
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11/11, 12:00am
Toon Boom Animate
Toon Boom has released its latest vector-based animation software, Toon Boom Animate, that includes a variety of tools for content creation, animation, and delivery to audiences. Users can create tradigital and bitmap animations, or combine elements of both. Multiple brush tools, textures, and gradients can be used to further develop particular styles. The software also offers morphing, inverse kinematics, and a set of common special effects for advanced projects.
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11/04, 6:00pm
Vue 7 xStream and Infinite
E-on software has released the latest additions to its Vue 7 line of software for 3D environment creation, Vue 7 xStream and Vue 7 Infinite. Vue 7 xStream is now fully integrated as a plug-in within a host application, allowing users to create and edit 3D environments without switching between programs. The single license permits owners to use the program in all of the compatible applications installed on the system, including 3ds Max, Maya, LightWave, Cinema4D and XSI. Vue 7 Infinite offers 3D animation and rendering tools in a standalone product.
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10/17, 3:10pm
ImageFlow 1.5 upgrade
CoreMelt has launched ImageFlow 1.5, adding rendering quality improvements and new filters to its photo animation plug-ins package. The plug-ins allow users to generate image montage animations in mainstream video editing applications. The rendering enhancements in v1.5 include a multisampling option that reduces jagged-edges and sparkling artifacts, higher supersampling levels for better final output (at the cost of more rendering time), and improved sub-pixel filtering when downscaling images. Version 1.5 also includes bug fixes and other improvements.
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09/03, 9:55am
Keynote Animations 2.0
iPresentee has released Keynote Animations 2.0, an expansion on to its existing line of animations; the set keeps 50 animations from the previous release and adds 30 new animations -- all of which support transparency allowing them to be used on any background. The animations can be resized, rotated, increased or decreased in opacity or overlapped to create new effects. Adding animations has been made as simple as possible, a user must only select the desired animation and then drag it into the appropriate location on a slide.
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08/21, 4:35pm
News from SIGGRAPH 2008
In SIGGRAPH news, DAZ 3D has announced its ARENA Real-Time Mocap plug-in for DAZ Studio, bringing motion capture to the 3D animation tool. Also at SIGGRAPH, Andersson Technologies' camera tracking software SynthEyes 2008 has been upgraded for 8-core compatibility.
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08/12, 4:50pm
Cinema 4D Release 11
Maxon on Tuesday unveiled Cinema 4D Release 11, a major update to its 3D animation suite, introducing an enhanced lighting engine, animation tools, and improved render speeds, among other features. In addition to the aforementioned inclusions, Cinema 4D now offers enhanced compatibility with other industry software, such as the COLLADA file format, and the CineMan Renderman accompaniment. The updated sweet also comes with BodyPaint 3D Release 4, which now includes WACOM tablet support.
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07/25, 6:40pm
Toon Boom announcements
On Friday, Toon Boom Animation announced the upcoming release of Toon Boom Studio 4.5, and the immediate release of Flip Book Classic. Toon Boom Studio 4.5 has been updated to offer extended ease of use, more export options, and better integration with various flies. Users can now import multi-layer Photoshop files for more detailed multi-plane effects, characters and backgrounds. They can also import photos and build a library of key poses, which can then be animated using various cut-out techniques. The update further looks to streamline the animation process by integrating drag-and-drop functionality with templates, movies and photos. This allows a user to quickly consolidate all of the required materials for a project. After finishing a project users are offered more export options, such as iTunes and YouTube.
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06/23, 2:20pm
Pupmotion Advanced 1.02
Aquafados says the new version of its PulpMotion Advanced slideshow software comes with a new animation theme. The “Pulse” theme includes “punchy animation,” lots of images and ”sophisticated transitions,” according to the company. Equipped with several presets, Pulse allows users to adjust the timing of each shot and to create “zones of interest” to focus viewer attention. The update is available immediately.
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06/23, 1:55pm
Kinemac 1.6.6 released
Kinemac has announced Kinemac 1.6.6 , a bug-fix release of its 3D real-time animation software for Mac OS X. The company says anyone can create professional-level 3-D animations using its software. Kinemac plays animations in real-time in full screen mode, and can export to QuickTime or to a series of still images. The software is designed with TV advertising, movie trailers, video clips and scrolling messages in mind, and retails for $300. It requires Mac OS X 10.4.9 or higher and a graphic card with 128MB VRAM or better.
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06/12, 4:00pm
Houdini 9.5 public beta
Side Effects Software has released a public beta of Houdini 9.5, its node-based 3D animation software that allows artists to collaborate from different platforms. Houdini has been used in the production of a number of major Hollywood films, including The Chronicles of Narnia, and all three Spider-Man movies, but until now was only available for Windows and Linux. The Mac version requires a 64-bit Intel Mac running Leopard, and is set for final release on July 15.
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06/05, 12:05am
Animation-ish
It is a common fact the Mac is great for creating and working with graphics, but for too many people, the idea of drawing anything, especially on the computer, is too intimidating. Even worse, most graphics programs for the Mac assume you’re already an experienced graphics artist who won’t mind spending $400 or more for a high-end program loaded with every possible feature. Fortunately for aspiring artists, Toon Boom Studios has teamed up with artist Peter H. Reynolds (author of the books “The Dot” and the “Judy Moody” series) to create Animation-ish.
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05/28, 11:35pm
Animation-Ish ships
Toon Boom Animation and educational publisher FableVision on Wednesday released Animation-Ish, a new software program that offers “do-it-yourself” animation. The software seeks to leverage the “ish” philosophy that art pieces don’t need to create a mirror image of reality to effectively convey ideas, which was popularized by New York Times Bestselling children’s book author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds in his best-selling books “The Dot” and “Ish”. Reynolds uses a playful, low-stress approach to coach children and adults to think “ishfully” about their art and be brave about expressing their creativity and originality. Animation-ish featuresmore than 50 “Inspire Me” video clips with Peter H. Reynolds, three animation skill-levels, and a “Project Vault” with Reynolds’ drawings and starter ideas.
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05/14, 7:55pm
Mimic lip syncing
DAZ 3D recently announced the immediate availability of Mimic Pro for Carrara, a plug-in enabling seamless lip-synching, sound analysis, and speech animation simulations directly within Carrara 6.2. Mimic Pro provides an advanced environment for creating facial
animation sequences, such as winks, nods and smiles, allowing 3D
characters to obtain a greater level of expression.
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04/10, 12:55am
Morph Age 4 for Leopard
Creaceed recently announced Morph Age 4, a major update to its image morphing and warping tool that allows users to make keyframed transforming animations. The new version is exclusively compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, and takes advantage of technology present in both the Intel processors and the GPU. Morph Age comes in two versions: Regular for $60, and Pro – which can make use of video sources as well as imagery – for $150.
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04/05, 4:00pm
Toon Boom Studio Express 4
Montreal-based Toon Boom Animation today unveiled Toon Boom Studio Express 4, a major update to its "light" animation software suite that introduces many new features and a revamped user interface. Toon Boom says that the interface is more user friendly, with docking interface items. A new calligraphic brush style was added to give animations a unique look. Toon Boom Studio Express 4 is available directly for a special of $100, $50 off its normal price.
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04/04, 7:10pm
BannerZest Flash
Aquafadas has released BannerZest 1.0, a new Flash presentation application for Mac OS X. The tool allows creators to turn images into a gallery, a navigation banner, or a slideshow in a series of steps. BannerZest ships as both a standard edition and a pro version. The pro edition adds advanced publishing options, workflow enhancements, and specific Pro templates. The tool integrates with popular javascript media viewer applications that let the user visualize high resolution versions of each of the banner images.
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03/29, 3:50pm
CrazyTalk 5 live puppets
Reallusion recently unveiled CrazyTalk 5.0, a major update to its 3D character animation and lip-syncing application, adding support for non-human characters, enhanced facial meshes, and more. CrazyTalk 5.0 features real-time puppeteer control through the mouse or other input device, as well as five default puppet profiles, which can give the avatar a wicked, goofy, youthful, attractive, or grumpy demeanor. CrazyTalk 5.0 sells for $50, with a Pro version available for $150.
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03/14, 3:00pm
Storyboard 1.5
Toon Boom Animation has announced the release of both Storyboard and Storyboard Pro 1.5 today. In addition to several performance improvements and the support of Mac OS X 10.5 that apply to both products, version 1.5 also brings new features in the Pro version only. In this latest release, Storyboard Pro adds support of Final Draft, Acrobat and Photoshop file format and improved editing capabilities in the timeline as well as enhanced drawings tools.
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03/12, 12:55pm
Cheetah3D 4.5
Cheetah3D 4.5, a new version of the 3D modelling, rendering and animation solution for Apple Mac OS X, was released today. It improves the MacOS X 10.5 (Leopard) compatibility and should solve the last minor problems. The new release also mproves the memory efficiency of the render manager. Now only active render jobs are kept in RAM and finished render jobs are swapped to the hard disk. This also allows the render manager to recover the results of finished rendering jobs if Cheetah3D should crash. In addition, the PDF import has been improved to allow an even better workflow between Illustrator and other applications.
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02/25, 2:00pm
50 Keynote animations
iPresentee has created a new pack of animations designed to expand Apple's Keynote features. The company's latest release includes 50 high quality animations for Keynote, allowing users to select the desired animation and drag it to the chosen slide. "Press play and enjoy the way your presentation comes to life," the company said. "Use iPresentee Keynote Animations and no one will forget your presentation. Creating an unforgettable presentation with iPresentee animations is a snap." iPresentee's 50 new animations are priced at $30, and are compatible with Pages as well as Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Express.
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02/14, 10:45am
Artlantis 2 preview
Artlantis has unveiled a preview of Artlantis 2, detailing the 3D rendering application for quick and easy creation of high-quality real-time still images and animations. The software is designed for ease of use with an intuitive interface, boasting full radiosity with global illumination and real sky simulation capability. Artlantis 2 features automatic light adjustment to dynamically balance lighting levels in scenes from dawn to sunset (pricing was unavailable, and a release date is pending).
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12/10, 9:35pm
Tune Boom Leopard update
Toon Boom Animation Inc. recently updated Toon Boom Studio 4 to be compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. The update is available for free for registered users of the latest incarnation of the animation software. Originally released in September, Toon Boom 4 brought with it a brand new user interface and photo animation, as well as some new styles and web publishing options. Now Leopard users can use the 30+ new features of Tune Boom 4 without complications. Toon Boom Studio 4 is available for $400 as a direct download from the company's website.
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12/03, 5:30pm
solidThinking Leopard fix
EVOQE has released a new patch for solidThinking, its rendering application for designers, 3D artists and animators. The program is a suite combining tools for solid, surface and NURBS curve modeling, and is described as fully parametric. Some features include a real-time Construction Tree, support for 3D scanners and point-cloud importing, and open architecture through the Plug-Ins Development Kit. The update adds support for Mac OS X Leopard, and remedies several interface problems that were introduced with the new platform. Pricing for the full version of the software is only available on request.
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11/27, 12:20am
Evaluation Modo Swift 3D 5
Luxology recently unveiled the Evaluation Modo 301 learning kit, while Electric Rain announces Swift 3D 5.0 for Mac, with support for Papervision3D. Swift 3D is designed to allow Flash animators to be able to create three-dimensional animations and incorporate them with Adobe Flash, without requiring the artists to learn how to work with 3D software. The introduction of Papervision3D support allows Swift 3D users to export .3DS and .DXF models into Papervision3D projects, while creating all necessary ActionScript 3.0, FLA, and 3D files that are needed to run the project, without requiring any coding input from the user. Swift 3D is currently shipping, available for $250 from Electric Rain's online store.
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11/26, 8:10pm
Flip Boom for kids
Toon Boom Animation Inc. today unveiled Flip Boom, a free-form animation tool designed for kids. Flip Boom is designed for younger users that have an interest in animation, providing a simple, but still maintains some features of the program's more robust sibling, Toon Boom Studio, such as onion-skinning, and coloring behind linework. The software also teaches about animation principles, such as timing and motion, allowing children to quickly understand and apply the concepts. Flip Boom is currently selling for $30, $10 off from its regular price, as a product launch special.
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