Autodesk Inc. has begun shipping combustion 4 software for Windows, the highly anticipated upgrade to its visual effects desktop software solution.
Combustion 4 software features a complete set of sophisticated tools for visual effects creation, including vector paint, particles, effects, animation and 3D compositing. Version 4 provides motion graphics and compositing artists new creative capabilities, interface improvements, new paint tools and enhanced interoperability with third-party applications.
Key new features include:* Diamond Keyer the second generation of sophisticated keying algorithms derived from Discreet flame, Autodesk's online visual effects system. The Diamond Keyer adds a new level of advanced keying technology to the capabilities already available to combustion users via the Discreet Systems Keyer.* Time-Warp a fully keyframeable, time-remapping operator for quickly creating slow motion and speed-up effects. * B-spline vector shapes and new point-grouping for faster, more efficient rotoscoping.* Custom capsules create and save encapsulated single or grouped operator nodes.* Gbuffer builder enables custom building of Rich Pixel Format (RPF) data structures from bitmap files for more extensive use of combustion's RPF nodes. * New optimized Fast Gaussian Blur* Merge operator new optimized operator to quickly merge two layers of the same size using any of the transfer nodes in combustion software.* Numerous UI enhancements, including edit-operator, navigation, filtering and compare tool improvements. * New file import/export options imports images into color mixer, import ASE (ASCII Scene Export) camera targets from Autodesk 3ds max software, import Windows Media, Open EXR compatible output.* Enhanced paint new paint tools, grids & rulers, B-spline in paint and new customized brushes.
"With plenty of workflow enhancements, Autodesk Combustion 4 software works better within your facility, making workflow throughput faster and more versatile," commented Chris Williamson, effects artist, Martin Square Prods.
Autodesk combustion 4 software for Windows is available now for $995; upgrade pricing from combustion 3 to combustion 4 software is $249. Combustion 4 software for Mac is expected to ship May 2005.
Founded in 1982, Autodesk Inc. (www.autodesk.com) is headquartered in San Rafael, California. The company recently renamed Discreet to Autodesk Media and Ent. The division best known for 3ds max and other digital imaging software will continue to service the film, video, gaming and related media and entertainment markets. This renaming ensures that the creative toolset from Autodesk Media and Ent. will stay on the leading edge of product innovation.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
