Discreet's plasma, a professional animation software for creating 3D content for the Web, is now available. plasma software allows animators to work directly in a 3D space to create high-quality visuals for Web services such as instant messaging, greeting cards and interactive games. plasma features integration with Discreet's 3D and Macromedia's authoring tools including Macromedia Flash MX and Macromedia Director 8.5 Shockwave Studio, making the creation of 2D and 3D Web elements easier. plasma is available now for a suggested retail price of US$650.

Once again, a popular 3D-animation software is being made available at a reduced price. In April 2002, Alias|Wavefront discounted its Maya 3D animation software packages and now Softimage Co. has halved the price of its 3D character animation and effects software. SOFTIMAGE|3D v. 4.0 is now available for US$1,495. According to Softimage, this action is in response to the increasing demand for animation and effects content for use in areas such as graphic and architectural design, manufacturing, government/military, scientific/medical and the location-based entertainment markets.

The recent release of Macromedia Flash MX contained new features and templates for creating content for Internet-enabled devices. Macromedia has now released its Flash Player 5 for the Nokia 9200 Communicator Series. The Nokia Communicator Series handsets are integrated devices that combine a wireless telephone with a high-resolution color display and multimedia capabilities.

Animation Toolworks has introduced its new MultiReel option to the LunchBox Sync, the electronic audio-video device for animators. The MultiReel option offers at least 18 separate storage areas, or reels, with each one giving the user as much storage as the standard LunchBox Sync. In addition, each reel is protected from editing any other reels, making MultiReel a good option for multiple shots or scenes, demo reels or separate animation projects. The LunchBox Sync with the MultiReel option can store over 120 minutes of video and over 1000 minutes of audio.

HP's Linux-based technology played a major role in the production of DreamWorks' latest animated film SPIRIT: STALLION OF THE CIMARRON. According to HP, placing Linux in the hands of traditional animators allowed for the seamless blend of 2D and 3D animation, a format that DreamWorks is calling "tradigital" animation. During the making of the film, HP engineers worked closely with DreamWorks to enhance the functionality of Linux to power ToonShooter, DreamWorks' proprietary 2D animation software.

Toon Boom has released an upgrade to their Toon Boom Studio 2D animation solution for the Web. Like Version 1, the Toon Boom Studio V2 camera tool allows the user to approach the project cinematically, choreographing a production within the computer in a virtual 3D environment. Other upgrades in V2 include enhanced lip-synching tools and compatibility with Macromedia Flash MX, with a swf importer and the Toon Boom Studio Importer for Macromedia Flash MX.

Kaydara Inc. has announced the upcoming release of Motionbuilder 4.0, a new generation of its real-time 3D character animation software previously named FiLMBOX animation. Featuring a new drag-and-drop workflow, Motionbuilder 4.0 builds on the FiLMBOX foundation by enhancing various tools as well as introducing new character animation features for increased productivity. New feature highlights in Motionbuilder include automatic character rigging, a powerful real-time lip-sync tool, real-time display and native support for Kaydara's FBX file interchange.

Spider-Man is getting the 3D treatment on the page as well as the big screen. A series of comic books from Marvel Comics entitled SPIDER-MAN: QUALITY OF LIFE, with artwork created in 3D CGI, have recently hit the shelves. For Spidey's transformation from 2D to 3D character, animators at Blue Dream Studios used 3D Studio Max on a 3DBOXX S3 dual 2.2GHz Intel Xeon workstation with an NVIDIA 900 XGL graphics card.

Side Effects Software has announced the upcoming version 5.5 release of their Houdini 3D software. Currently in beta testing, Houdini 5.5 includes a host of new features including VOPs, a powerful, interactive node-based shader and effects builder. Houdini 5.5 also features an expanded Shader Gallery, a new compositor, a drag-and-drop interface, simplified installation and keying, and enhanced character and animation tools.

San Francisco-based Pulse Entertainment has released Pulse Veepers, a virtual character creation software. Pulse Veepers was designed to allow e-learning systems designers and corporate training departments, among others, to build, deploy and update interactive characters without requiring programming, animation, 3D modeling or authoring expertise. Beginning with a single 2D image, Veepers users then select data points with their mouse to designate key areas of the Veepers subject's face.