wondertouch has launched particleIllusion 2.0 SE for Mac OS X, marking the companys first product to support the advanced operating system from Apple.
particleIllusion SE is a standalone, introductory version of the company's award-winning, cornerstone visual effects creation application. DCC professionals working in the film, video, broadcast, computer games, Web and multimedia markets rely on particleIllusion's library of more than 750 preset effects to deliver a range of exceptional effects, including smoke, fire, explosions, water effects, sparkles and colorful artistic effects, with the utmost speed and efficiency.
"We are delighted to offer particleIllusion on the Mac OS X and to deliver the creative community at large a wider range of operating system choices," said Alan Lorence, president of wondertouch. "Now Mac customers who use the advanced operating system can leverage particleIllusion's robust and powerful 2D particle engine and simple intuitive application to create effects content with exceptionally high quality."
Douglas Njegovan, 3D special effects animator and particleIllusion SE beta tester at Yoram Gross, is using particleIllusion SE on the current television series, FLIPPER AND LOPAKA III THE SEARCH FOR NEPTUNE'S TRIDENT.
"particleIllusion 2.0 SE on the Mac OS X platform is the fastest particle generator I've ever used, offered Njegovan. Being able to edit any of the existing particleIllusion 2.0 libraries affords great versatility and easily allows us to incorporate changes on-the-fly without affecting production schedules. This eagerly anticipated release promises to become an indispensable tool for any busy OS X special effects facility, like ours, where speed in creating quality effects is a critical factor."
Beta tester Stuart Roholt, digital effects supervisor at NBC Studios in Los Angeles, has been using particleIllusion the past year to create visual effects on the hit soap opera, PASSIONS. "particleIllusion SE on Mac OS X effortlessly allows me to create `out-of-this-world' effects as well as those that match, look and move in a realistic or hyper-realistic way. Its power, versatility and compatibility with leading compositing applications will prompt anyone using Mac OS X who needs quality particle effects quickly, and I mean quickly, to jump at the chance to add this tool to their arsenal!"
Iverson Design & Animation, based south of Boston, offers a wide variety of multimedia design services, including graphic design, custom Web design, 3D, 2D and Flash animation, broadcast and industrial video production, audio/video editing and encoding and DVD mastering. wondertouch beta tester and company principal Michael Iverson, deployed particleIllusion SE for the first time at the facility.
"Using particleIllusion SE on Mac OS X enabled me to produce high quality output on eight, three-second animations to include elements such as falling leaves, jet exhaust, explosions and abstract background effects, quickly and efficiently," said Iverson. "This long needed solution for the Mac community delivers a particle effects system free from the constraints of prolonged setup and render times
Meanwhile, particleIllusion 3.0, the most current version of the software, is scheduled for release on Mac OS X in the first quarter of 2005.
particleIllusion 2.0 SE for Mac OS X is available in a download version only and is normally priced at $99, but is available until Jan. 31 for $79. Registered owners of particleIllusion 2.0 for Mac OS 8/9 can upgrade for free. particleIllusion 2.0 SE can be purchased directly from the company at www.wondertouch.com.
wondertouch, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri., is a software developer specializing in particle effects for the visual effects industry.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
