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Kinetix and Discreet Logic Cooperate on PAINT and EFFECT Plug-In
(March 23)
Discreet Logic Inc. announced new versions of its PAINT and
EFFECT, including full integration with 3D Studio MAX" R2.5 from
Kinetix. The combination of PAINT, EFFECT and 3D Studio MAX
allows 3D designers, compositors, rotoscope artists to save time
by eliminating the need to re-render advanced effects.
EFFECT is a resolution-independent 3D video compositing, clip
animation and visual effects tool. It includes features such as
keying effects, a precision timeline, alpha channel support,
animated effects filters, color correction tools and realistic 3D
effects such as reflections, refraction and lighting effects. It
works in conjunction with a true video paint program PAINT
New plug-ins capabilities include:
MAX Depth of Field - adds depth of field to a rendered 3D
Studio MAX scene based on Z-space information;
MAX Fog - generates Z-space fog based on a single color or
another layer;
MAX Glow - produces a glow on objects, materials, or any
combination of the two, and;
MAX Lens Flare - creates a lens flare based on 3D spaces
which means it can move in front or behind objects in a scene.
By using applied Z-buffer data within EFFECT filters, artists can
determine precisely where a 3D object sits within a 2D scene and
can rapidly apply more realistic effects such as fog, lens
flares, depth of field, and glows.
PAINT is an interactive, vector-based paint and animation system
for manipulating and enhancing both clips and single frame
graphic images with no resolution limitations. It is a vector-
based platform-independent software solution designed
specifically for video painting and image processing for
multimedia, web animation, interactive, video and film projects.
Virtually every operation is key-frameable, eliminating time-
consuming frame-by-frame operations and enabling full interaction
with moving pictures and high productivity on the desktop.
Due to the vector-based nature of PAINT infinitely-scalable
painted bitmap-style textures are accessible in a 3D product.
This powerful capability enables 3D Studio MAX software users to
import PAINT vector based (IPP) files, as resolution-independent
textures for MAX objects and scenes. It is no longer necessary to
settle for jagged-looking, pixelated textures when scaling
objects. Artists can use the 3D Studio MAX drag-and-drop
environment to easily apply any paint texture to any object while
maintaining timeline synchronization between the programs.
PAINT allows artists to edit animated textures and see the
changes previewed immediately in MAX on any frame on an animation
sequence - there is no lag time between making the change and
seeing the results.
Kinetix expects to deliver the new MAX capabilities as a plug-in
available free to registered 3D Studio MAX users by June 30,
1998. Discreet Logic customers will be able to access the
features in the new versions of EFFECT and PAINT which are
expected to ship by June 30, 1998.
PAINT and EFFECT support Microsoft Windows95, Windows NT/DEC
Alpha platforms and the Apple Macintosh. For both PAINT and
EFFECT on all platforms artists can bring in any rendered file.
Integration with 3D Studio MAX for interactive real-time feedback
is available only on Windows NT versions.
www.ktx.com
www.discreet.com
Kinetix Installed Base of 3D Studio MAX at 53,000
(March 23)
In a press release Kinetix announced that the installed base of
3D Studio MAX has reached 53,000.
www.ktx.com
Strategic Relationship Formed Between Kinetix and Discreet Logic
(March 23)
Kinetix and Discreet Logic Inc. have signed an agreement to form
a strategic relationship. The relationship is intended to create
a tools for 3D modeling and animation, 2D graphics visual
effects, paint, and editing software for digital media
production.
The goal of the partnership is to develop and market digital
media production solutions that use Discreet Logic's New Media
products and Kinetix's 3D Studio MAX. Discreet's New Media
software includes EFFECT (formerly Illuminaire Composition) for
special effects and compositing; PAINT (formerly Illuminaire
Paint) for vector-based paint and animation; EDIT (formerly D-
Vision) for nonlinear editing; and LIGHT (formerly Lightscape).
Wave Issue 9806 4/10/98 Article 1-01