MAXON announced MoGraph, a new module for its flagship 3D animation tool, CINEMA 4D. Offering numerous possibilities for creating vfx using simple primitives, logos and text, MoGraph is the ideal solution for motion graphics artists ready to step into the third dimension.
CINEMA 4D is fast becoming the 3D tool of choice for motion graphics artists everywhere, in part due to its smooth connectivity to popular 2D motion graphics and compositing tools. MoGraph adds yet another dimension to CINEMA 4D's creative palette, by offering lots of combinations and variations that are ideal for creating broadcast graphics, bumpers, movie titles and trailers or logo animations. Multipass layers and 3D elements can then be rendered and imported directly into Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Combustion, Apple Motion, Final Cut Pro, Shake and eyeon Fusion for the ultimate in post-processing control.
With MoGraph's easy to use toolset, objects can be cloned instantly and arranged linearly, radially, in a grid or onto existing geometry. Effectors are then used to set these clones in motion randomly or by applying audio, textures, formulas or many other elements for unlimited effects. Virtually every aspect is animatable and can be controlled through expressions. Comprehensive libraries containing shader-based materials and backgrounds, transitions, countdowns and 350MB of royalty-free audio and video clips are included, featuring a selection of videos from the popular Artbeats collection.
"CINEMA 4D is already widely regarded as the easiest to use professional 3D modeling, rendering and animation application," said Paul Babb, ceo of MAXON. "MoGraph's toolset makes it even easier for motion graphics artists to take advantage of CINEMA 4D's powerful animation tools and incorporate 3D into their workflow."
Coupled with the release of MoGraph is a free incremental update for CINEMA 4D. Release 9.6 includes additional enhancements for motion graphics artists. One of the most noteworthy improvements was made to OpenGL on the Macintosh platform resulting in display speed increases of up to 150%. Several new compositing functions and connectivity to eyeon Fusion have been added, as well as support for H264 and MPEG1, MPEG2 and MPEG4 codecs for QuickTime.
As is the case with all MAXON products, MoGraph will be available for Windows (32-bit or 64-bit) and Macintosh systems (including Universal Binary). MoGraph will ship in May, and requires CINEMA 4D R9.6 or higher. The module is available individually for $395, pound 259 or euro 327 or bundled with CINEMA 4D for a special introductory price of only $995, pound 699 or euro 862.
MAXON will demonstrate the power and ease of use of MoGraph at NAB 2006 (booth SL5567 & SL5138M).
MAXON Computer (www.maxon.de) is the developer of professional 3D modeling, painting, animation and rendering solutions. Its award-winning products have been used extensively in the film, television, science, architecture, engineering and other industries. MAXON products have been used for and in THE POLAR EXPRESS, THE FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX, HERO, VAN HELSING, KING ARTHUR, SPIDER-MAN, SPIDER-MAN 2, HAUNTED MANSION, CAT IN THE HAT, CHARLIE'S ANGELS FULL THROTTLE, STAR WARS: EPISODE 11 THE ATTACK OF THE CLONES, THE MUMMY RETURNS, GLADIATOR, TOMB RAIDER, the new Columbia-TriStar Film Logo, the On-Air Packages for Comedy Central, MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL and more. MAXON has offices in Friedrichsdorf, Germany, Newbury Park, California, Bedford, U.K. and Tokyo.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
