Technology
Macromedia Releases Flash Player For UNIX.
San Francisco, California-based Macromedia, Inc. has announced that
its Flash Player, which enables internet browsers to play web animations,
will be available free starting on September 1, 1999 for Linux,
Sun Microsystems, Inc.'s Solaris, and Silicon Graphics Inc.'s Irix
platforms. Flash is the standard for creating high-impact, vector-based
Web sites that deliver motion, sound, interactivity, and graphics.
Flash Player versions for UNIX will be available for download at
no charge from the Macromedia Web site. Macromedia is the leading
publisher of Web publishing tools such as Dreamweaver, Fireworks
and Generator.
Newtek Ships Video Toaster For Windows. San Antonio, Texas-based
NewTek, manufacturer of 3D animation and video production products,
has announced Video Toaster for Windows. The new Video Toaster is
the heir to the original Video Toaster for the Amiga, which initiated
the desktop video revolution in 1990. The Video Toaster offers users
a suite of tools for video creation including all the essential
components for video editing, compositing and 2D/3D animation. The
suggested retail price is $2995.00. The dual format NTSC and PAL
solution retails for $3495.00.
Station X Licenses Animation Software. Santa Monica, California-based
Station X Studios is licensing the production version of its proprietary
animation software tools, code named "Project: messiah,"
as a commercial software product. The high-end animation production
software, developed to animate the studio's forthcoming live-action/CGI
feature film Dungeons & Dragons: The Movie, can be used
on computers utilizing the Microsoft Windows NT operating system
with either Intel compatible or Alpha compatible processors. A Mac
version is also in the works. The product will be available for
a limited time at a special price of $395 per seat. "While
it may seem counter-intuitive to sell proprietary technology to
your direct competitors, becoming a significant software company
was always part of our business strategy. Besides, Station X still
has exceptional creative and technical in-house assets to help us
keep our edge in digital animation and effects," says Fori
Owurowa, president of Station X. Some of the advanced features of
Project: messiah include: easy character setup; real-time interactivity;
local/world coordinates on-the-fly; forward/inverse kinematics;
procedural/key-frame animation blending; and interactive soft-body
dynamics. Effects can modify multiple objects so users can animate
one skeleton and let it operate on an entire army. Designed for
Windows 95/98 or NT Intel or Alpha CPU, the package's system requirements
also include eight megs of available disk space, 32 megs of RAM,
CD-ROM drive, and NewTek's LightWave3D or Inspire. Station X Studios,
which opened its doors in 1997, specializes in photo-real 3D/digital
animation and visual effects utilizing state-of-the-art supercomputers
powered by Compaq Computer (formerly Digital Equipment Corp.) Alpha
CPUs running Microsoft's Windows NT operating system.
Macromedia Releases Flash Writer For Adobe Illustrator Users.
San Francisco, California-based Macromedia, Inc. has announced Macromedia
Flash Writer, a free downloadable plug-in for Adobe Illustrator,
which will enable Illustrator users to save their artwork natively
to the Flash Player file format (SWF). Illustrator users will now
be able to deploy their artwork to the Web immediately without having
to reformat it as a bitmapped file. Flash is the industry standard
for high-impact, vector-based Web sites that deliver motion, sound,
interactivity and graphics. Flash Writer gives Adobe Illustrator
users the ability to deliver vector artwork to a large worldwide
Web audience. At present, Adobe Illustrator users need to convert
their vector artwork to a bitmapped GIF or JPG format to view and
publish it online. In the process, they lose scalability and the
ability to publish the vector artwork to the Web quickly for display
or high-quality proofing. With Flash Writer, Illustrator users will
immediately gain these compelling features. The Flash file format
also boasts a compact binary file that can be streamed from any
Web server and displays more quickly than other major graphics formats.
Macromedia is the leading publisher of Web publishing tools such
as Dreamweaver, Fireworks and Generator.
Animo Releases Production Tracker. Cambridge, UK-based Cambridge
Animation has released Animo Production Tracker - new software that
allows studios to use the Internet, intranets and internal networks
to track every aspect of a production cycle. Animo Production Tracker
software automates management of the thousands of drawings and different
personnel involved in a typical project, allowing users to better
ascertain progress, determine costs, allocate resources, and eliminate
duplication. The new software is fully integrated with Animo, Cambridge
System's professional 2D animation software. For instance, calculations
from raw data, such as total number of scanned and painted frames
done in Animo or other programs, are automatically stored in a standard
database, which interacts with Animo Production Tracker. The software
provides status reports on Animo tasks such as scenes, levels and
backgrounds, as well as data about work done outside the computer,
such as animation drawing, clean-up and checking. Animo Production
Tracker runs on Windows NT with Animo 2.5 installed. A commercial
database program such as Microsoft Access is needed to store the
data. For more information in the US, Tel: 1-919-481-4599, or e-mail:
cramco@cramco.com.
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Carrara screen shot. Courtesy of Metacreations.
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Metacreations Announces Carrara And KPT
Vector Effects 1.5. San Francisco-based MetaCreations Corp.,
which develops and markets 2D and 3D visualization software for
graphic artists and the World Wide Web, has announced Carrara 1.0,
a 3D modeling and animation solution for print, video and the Web.
Carrara will contain a hybrid Ray Tracer, advanced shader editors,
multiple modelers, real-time Metaballs, particle systems, 3D light
sources, lens flares, motion blur, key framing, physical effects,
deformers and more. Carrara will introduce a workflow called SmartFlow
that will allow users to "walk" projects through a series
of production steps, with each compartmentalized area featuring
the tools required to complete tasks. Carrara will also support
the industry standard MetaStream file format to allow the creation
of high-quality, compact 3D objects for streaming over the Web.
Carrara is expected to be available in the fall of 1999 for Windows
95/98/2000/NT and Power MacIntosh on CD-ROM. For more information
visit www.metacreations.com/products/carrara. MetaCreations Corp.
has also announced KPT Vector Effects 1.5, an upgrade to the plug-ins
for Adobe Illustrator. The upgrade will be available for the first
time for the Windows platform and will offer full compatibility
for users of Illustrator versions 7 and 8. KPT Vector Effects reduces
the number of steps required to produce results with Illustrator
without adding complexity. Vector Effects can be used to create
3D looks from line art, shadows, warped text and images, and more.
Vector Effects has an estimated retail price of US $149. For more
information visit www.metacreations.com/products/vectoreffects.
Macromedia Ships Drumbeat 2000. San Francisco, California-based
Macromedia, Inc. has announced the immediate availability of the
Macromedia Drumbeat 2000 line of products which provide a visual
solution for Web application and e-commerce development. Drumbeat
2000 is available in an Active Server Pages (ASP) version, a Java
Server Pages (JSP) version, and an eCommerce edition. The Drumbeat
2000 product line is being offered for the first time by Macromedia,
which announced its intent to acquire Elemental Software and its
Drumbeat line of Web application development products in July 1999.
Macromedia is now selling all three versions of the Drumbeat 2000
product line. Drumbeat 2000 (ASP) has a visual, drag-and-drop interface
to enable the creation of Web applications and Web interfaces to
existing applications and databases. The product features tools
to build ASP applications quickly that access and update data in
real time, work across all browsers and require no manual coding.
Drumbeat 2000 (JSP) is designed to create applications for IBM WebSphere
and DB2. It allows users to create applications that connect to
back-end services using JavaBeans and Servlets and allows users
who don't know the intricacies of Java programming to build fully
functional JSP applications. The Drumbeat 2000 eCommerce edition
adds all the tools needed to create secure, customizable online
stores with Active Server Pages. The new version includes features
that make it easy to manage online store operations and to expand
merchandising options. Drumbeat 2000 (ASP) is available for Windows
95, 98 and NT with Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) 3.0
and 4.0 and Personal Web Server 4.0, and is priced at $399. Drumbeat
2000 (JSP) is available for Windows 95, 98 and NT and IBM WebSphere
and DB2 Universal Database 5.2 and is priced at $399. Drumbeat 2000
eCommerce Edition runs on Windows 95, 98 and NT with Microsoft Internet
Information Server (IIS) 3.0 and 4.0 and Personal Web Server 4.0,
and is priced at $499. For more information visit
www.macromedia.com/software/drumbeat. Macromedia is the leading
publisher of Web publishing tools such as Dreamweaver, Fireworks
and Generator.
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Androme Launches CreaToon. Diepenbeek,
Belgiumbased Androme N.V. has announced the release of CreaToon,
a tool for cut-out animation, animated paint and any other animation
that needs the manipulation of images or video sequences. CreaToon
enables real-time editing and preview, and allows all parameters
and textures can be animated with multiple camera views and scenes
and lots of plug-ins, such as file format plug-ins (TGA, BMP, JPG,
PNG and AVI), a layers plug-in (image and gradient layer) and others.
The package also provides a powerful animation editor, multiple
camera views, multiple scenes and animated cuts between camera views,
and comes with an on-line manual and tutorials. CreaToon is currently
available on Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT platform, and
is available as of September 6. 1999. For more information visit
www.creatoon.com. Androme N.V. was founded in 1990 as a spin-off
company of the Expertise Centre for Digital Media (EDM) of the Limburg
University Centre. Androme N.V. develops software and produces multimedia
productions, especially 2D computer animation.
Digital Video Releases Toonz 4.3. Italy, Rome-based Digital
Video S.R.L. has announced Toonz version 4.3, which provides 2D
users with new tools to be more creative and efficient on their
job. The digital exposure sheet is much more user friendly, including
many new special effects, complete keyframe capabilities on all
parameters, and enlarged number of mathematical expressions for
more controllable motion. Enhancements of display features include
icons in the level header area for quick reference of elements.
Texture mapping has been strengthened with the introduction of pins,
which enables stretch, rotate or perspective tracking. A new hook
tool has been provided to keep characters from sliding across a
surface and also to attach an object level to an animated level.
Rendering speed has been increased 40% in respect to previous versions.
The current number of 32 inks and 128 paints have been increased
to 256 inks and 256 paints, while old palettes are fully supported.
The new Mattedit module has been introduced, giving you the capability
to create and edit bit mapped images, overlays and mattes. Last,
but not least: there is a new aggressively priced version for TV
still providing the full array of Toonz features. It has the same
functionality of a Studio License, but locks output to TV resolution.
For more information in North America, e-mail toonz.us@catalinas.net.
Also visit www.toonz.com.
PiXELS: 3D V.3.2 Is Now Shipping. San Diego, California-based
Pixels, Inc. is shipping version 3.2 of PiXELS: 3D for Power MacIntosh.
The new version is 25% faster than the previous version. Among the
features are: an Inverse Kinematics system that lets you draw bones
and create joints; Organic Modeling that enables users to mold primitive
objects like clay; a MorphMaker that allows for multi-target morphing
and an Animation Timeline that lets you fine tune the movement of
objects. PiXELS: 3D 3.2 Studio version sells for US$299.00 and PiXELS:
3D 3.2 Studio Pro version sells for US$499.
Toon Boom Ships New Version Of TicTacToon. Montreal, Canada-based
Toon Boom Technologies Inc. is now shipping version 2.3 of TicTacToon.
Some of the features included on this new version are the ability
to: customize and modify the aspect ratio of each scene at any stage
of production; work on up to three levels of animation simultaneously;
drag and drop entire columns of drawings with their cel names and
timing to and from the Animation and Exposure Sheet modules; make
order and timing changes quickly in either module through insert,
replace or append options; and draw paintable rectangular zones
to close outer edges of any drawing. While TicTacToon is designed
for the production house seeking to replace traditional production
methods with an entirely digital system, it can still
be used as a scan, ink and paint solution that can be integrated
into a traditional production chain. For more information contact
Toon Boom Technologies Inc. at Tel. (514) 278-8666, or e-mail: paul@toonboom.com.
Adobe Announces New Version Of After Effects. San Jose, California-based
Adobe Systems Incorporated has announced Adobe After Effects 4.1.
After Effects is a tool for motion graphics designers and visual
effects artists working with film, video, multimedia and the Web.
Among the new features are: support for enhanced media exchange,
performance enhancements, workflow refinements, and extended creative
options and control. Adobe After Effects 4.1 will be available in
September 1999 in the US and Canada for an estimated street price
of US$699 for the standard version and US$1,499 for the production
bundle. The upgrade from After Effects 4.0 will be available to
all users for US$49.95. For more information visit www.adobe.com.
Puffin Designs Announces Commotion Dv And Knoll Light Factory.
Sausalito, California-based Puffin Designs has announced Commotion
DV, a professional image editing and effects program for digital
video artists. Commotion DV is ideal for creating original stylized
motion graphics and fixing image problems such as video dropouts.
The SuperClone brush allows users to move and duplicate objects
such as mountains, trees or clouds to create just the right background;
fill in crowd scenes; or remove visual distractions such as power
lines or a wayward microphone. Playback controls allow users to
create animated write-on effects or motion mattes for keying and
compositing. Created by Scott Squires, Visual Effects Supervisor
at Industrial Light & Magic, Commotion DV is built on the same
technology as Puffin's product, Commotion. Commotion DV includes
familiar bezier tools for creating an animated Rotospline. With
flexible options for merging spline shapes with existing alpha channels
and advanced feathering controls, Rotosplines are useful for cutting
out subjects for color correction or creating animated alpha channels
that can be used in Adobe After Effects, Apple's Final Cut Pro or
other applications. Commotion DV will be available in October of
1999 for US$795.00. For more information visit www.puffindesigns.com.
Puffin has also announced Knoll Light Factory, a plug-in set for
Adobe After Effects and compatible applications including Puffin
Designs' Commotion, and Apple's Final Cut Pro. A new version will
be available for Avid's AVX plug-in format. Knoll Light Factory
is built on top of Knoll Lens Flare Pro, the application developed
by John Knoll, co-creator of Adobe Photoshop and Visual Effects
Supervisor at Industrial Light & Magic. Knoll Light Factory
offers twenty new filters that allow the user to keyframe each parameter
in a lighting effect individually, and to animate lights with complete
control. Based on the Lens Primitives in Knoll Lens Flare Pro, these
filters include primitives modeled on professional camera lenses
and various light sources. Knoll Light Factory also includes an
EZ filter for choosing pre-built effects for anything from headlights
to glowing rocket engines, to lens flares, to photon torpedoes.
Knoll Light Factory will be available in the fourth quarter of 1999.
For more information visit www.puffindesigns.com.
SoftQuad Announces HoTMetaL PRO 6.0. Toronto, Canada-based
SoftQuad Software Inc., a provider of HTML and XML content authoring
tools, has announced HoTMetaL PRO 6.0. HoTMetaL PRO 6.0's new features
are designed to increase productivity and provide users with more
control over the Web development and management process. They include
new FTP and remote file editing capabilities, improved handling
of imported HTML source code, an improved drag and drop asset management
system, and new customization options. In addition, HoTMetaL PRO
6.0 also includes new learning tools and authoring aids that make
it the only professional tool that helps new users progress from
simple, WYSIWYG page design to full fledged HTML coding. HoTMetaL
PRO 6.0 shipped on September 27, 1999 for the Windows 95/98 and
NT 4.0 operating systems. The list price for the full product is
US$129.00.
Macromedia Offers Free Seminar. Macromedia, Inc., leading
publisher of Web publishing tools such as Dreamweaver, Fireworks
and Generator, is offering a multi-city Generator 2 Seminar and
Training Series for Internet professionals seeking successful online
solutions for e-business, e-commerce, financial services, news &
information and advertising. Generator 2 delivers targeted, real-time
graphics and interactivity for Web sites that feature on-demand
content. Attendees will learn how Ford Motor Company, Internet Shopping
Network and other leading companies maximize their customers' online
experience using Generator 2 to help them deploy interactive, automated,
and personalized Web content. Real world case studies highlighting
industry leaders Oracle and Sun will be featured. The three-hour
series is limited to the first 100 registered attendees. Seminars
are currently scheduled for the following dates and locations: September
28, Washington, DC; October 12, San Diego; October 19, Seattle;
October 26, Vancouver; November 2, Toronto; November 9, Minneapolis;
November 16, Detroit; November 18, Chicago; and December 8, San
Francisco. For more information visit www.macromedia.com.
