wondertouch has released a Mac OS X version of its particle effects creation tool, particleIllusion 3.0. The new version offers the same features as the Windows version of particleIllusion 3.0, including super emitters, forces to improve integration into existing production environments, new color options and rendering engine improvements. particleIllusion 3.0s library of 1,300 pre-set particle emitters enables a range of effects from explosions, smoke and fire to water and sparkles, and the package also can be used for transitions including wipes, animated backgrounds and other motion graphics elements.
At SIGGRAPH, wondertouch announced that independent feature film studio, The Asylum, has selected particleIllusion 3.0 for Mac OS X as its primary particle effects creation tool. Its roster of sci fi, horror and other genre titles The Asylum produces two film titles a month for the video/DVD market includes H.G. WELLS WAR OF THE WORLDS, LEGION OF THE DEAD, FRANKENSTEIN and THE BEAST OF BRAY ROAD. The studio uses particleIllusion 3.0 in conjunction with Adobe AfterEffects for tracking, matting and compositing, and with Apple Final Cut Pro HD 4.5 for editing.
David Latt, co-founder/producer at The Asylum in Los Angeles is beta testing particleIllusion 3.0 for Mac OS X; having started with particleIllusion SE (the introductory version of the software) on Mac OS X earlier this year. "For 'H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds' we hired an A-Team of top visual effects artists who due to budget and time constraints were only able to do a certain amount of work, said Latt. While I am not 'schooled' in visual effects, using particleIllusion I was able to produce effects that were credible and stood up to the discerning eye of the film's visual effects supervisor. Additionally, since we master our 35mm films in HD, the quality really had to measure up which it did.
Latt continued, "A tool like particleIllusion 3.0 adds production value as it offers unlimited potential to create dazzling effects on vastly different feature film projects. It is affordable, incredibly intuitive, powerful and easy to use, and wondertouch provides solid technical support. Overall, the software makes us look good!"
particleIllusion 3.0 for Mac OS X is available for immediate download and priced at $349; this introductory price is effective until Aug. 31, 2005, after which it will be $399. A boxed version will be available in the near future.
Existing owners of particleIllusion SE for OS X can upgrade to particleIllusion 3.0 for Mac OS X for $249. This introductory upgrade price is effective until Aug. 31, then the upgrade price is $299. Owners of particleIllusion 2.0 for OS 8/9 can upgrade to particleIllusion 3.0 for OS X for $49 at any time. Academic pricing information is available on the wondertouch website (www.wondertouch.com).
wondertouch (SIGGRAPH 2005 booth #2152), headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., is an award-winning software developer specializing in particle effects for the visual effects industry. The companys flagship product, particleIllusion, a sprite-based particle effects application, is focused toward the needs of creative professionals working in film post-production and pre-visualization, standard and HD video, commercial broadcast and Web graphics industries.
A spectrum of recent entertainment projects shaped by the software include feature films STEALTH, WEDDING CRASHERS, H.G. WELLS WAR OF THE WORLDS, SIN CITY, THE ADVENTURES OF SHARK BOY AND LAVA GIRL IN 3D, FANTASTIC FOUR and CONSTANTINE. It was also used in the hit soap opera, PASSIONS; the syndicated entertainment news program, ACCESS HOLLYWOOD; the interactive game title MX VS. ATV UNLEASHED, the episodic television series JAG and Navy/NCIS, various sports programs, including NBA ON TNT, NASCAR ON TNT, national commercials for clients including Cadillac/Saab (GM), music video projects for the Dave Matthews Band, and many more.
