Bauhaus Software Inc. announced the immediate availability of Mirage for Mac OS X Pre-Release, the first release of its unified environment for animated graphics and special effects creation on the Mac platform. Designed for artists, Mirage integrates realtime video paint, animation and effects functionalities into a single product. Using Mirage, visual artists are free to explore entirely new creative ideas and techniques, combining tools such as animated paint, natural-media drawing tools, volumetric lights, particles, keying, color correction and pixel tracking within the same project. Designed for resolutions ranging from HDTV and film to Web video, Mirage provides a creative solution for 2D animators, broadcasters and video professionals.
"As an animated paint and effects solution, Mirage is a perfect complement to Apple's Final Cut Pro and Shake products, providing a seamless pipeline for professional video and film production," remarked Paul Ford, president of Bauhaus
Using Mirage, broadcasters benefit from the speed and ease with which motion graphics can be created, animated and deployed. Cartoon and 2D animators use Mirage as a unified paint and effects solution, allowing them to sidestep traditional scan/ink/paint workflows, and move directly from digital pencil tests to editing within a single product. Video producers use Mirage to manipulate, enhance and create effects for HDTV and film footage.
"Finally Mirage for OS X is here! No need to go in and out of individual art programs anymore; now we can use Mirage for our inking, coloring and compositing," said Andy Collen, director and owner of Happy Trails Animation LLC. "Mirage for OS X is not just a great production tool, but a great creative art tool as well, not to mention the fact that Mirage is making production fun again. I'm tired of making artistic choices based on software limitations..."
In addition to paint and animation tools, Mirage also includes a powerful effects system that incorporates 2D particles, volumetric lights and hundreds of other effects that can be fully animated. Mirage's suite of video tools includes comprehensive color correction, histogram controls, keying with spill suppression and matte controls and multi-point pixel tracking/stabilization.
Bauhaus Mirage for OS X Pre-Release is available immediately to customers for an introductory price of $395 directly from Bauhaus Software or through the company's authorized reseller channel; the final release version of Mirage for OS X will be provided free of charge to all Pre-Release customers. Mirage for OS X Pre-Release requires a G3 or higher processor, and Mac OS X v10.2.6 or higher. A demonstration version of Mirage is currently available through the Bauhaus Software We site at www.bauhaussoftware.com.
San Antonio, Texas-based Bauhaus Software was founded to become a leading provider of products and technologies to the digital visual effects and animation markets. Bauhaus is focused on providing professional digital artists with the ultimate tools for producing next-generation animated graphics and special effects.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
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