Ready to
purchase
animation
software?
You are a
PC guru!
You're
probably
trying to
figure out
how to
integrate
some
"cool"
animated
graphics
into your
Web site -
or you're
even a
home
software
designer
who has
come up
with the
"neatest"
concept
for a
new
video game
(or online
game!) and
need
animation
software
to make
your
characters
come to
life.
If you're
ready,
here are
some
things to
consider
when
choosing
that very
important
animation
software
package.
Your
System:
Animation
software
is
taxing
on your
system.
Make
sure
that
your PC
more
than
meets
the
minimum
manufacturer's
system
requirements.
If your
system
can't
keep up,
you'll
be
unhappy
- and
waste
valuable
time
(and
your
money
upgrading
after
you've
experienced
a good
deal of
frustration).
You:
Know
how much
time you
are
willing
to
dedicate
to
learning
and
using
the
capabilities
the
software
provides.
If you
aren't
willing
to spend
the
time,
don't
buy the
most
powerful,
complex
package!
Compatibility:
It's
important
to
ensure
that
your
animation
software
is
compatible
with
your
print or
Web
publishing
software,
or with
Macromedia
Flashฎ
format
if you
plan on
delivering
a flash
animation
from
your Web
site.
Ease
of
Use/Training:
Is
the
software
easy to
use?
If the
software
requires
time to
understand
and use
professionally,
does the
manufacturer
provide
training
(included
on the
software
CD, Web
based or
partner-based).
Support:
The
more
complex
the
software,
the more
important
it is
for the
manufacturer
to stand
behind
it and
help you
if you
run into
trouble.
Make
sure
that the
software
manufacturer
has a
robust
customer
support
site and
process
before
you buy!
Features
and
Functions:
If
you need
it now,
make
sure
it's
there.
If you
think
you
might
need it
later,
make
sure it
will BE
there if
it
already
isn't!
Upgrade
Costs:
Once
you've
invested
in
software,
you'll
have to
keep
investing
in the
upgrades.
Make
sure you
look
into the
costs of
upgrades
(historically)
for your
software,
or if
it's
brand
new
product,
the
track
record
of the
company
producing
the
software.
Ready to
choose
your
animation
software?
Let's get
going!
Some
vendors
offer more
than one
package in
this
category.
We'll
review
them in
table
format
within
that
vendor's
detailed
review
Adobe does
not make
"simple"
software
per se.
Adobe
delivers
instead
feature
rich
software
that can
be used by
both the
beginner
and the
professional
to deliver
rock
solid,
interesting
and
powerful
animation
solutions.
What that
all means
is that
you will
invest
your time
in not
only the
construction
your animations, but
also in
learning
how to use
this
feature
rich
software.
Cost
-
$$$1/2
Adobe
offers a web bundle that includes Photoshop CS2, Illustrator CS2, inDesign CS2,
GoLive CS2, Acrobat Professional, Version Cue CS2, Bridge, Stock Photos,
DreamWeaver, Flash Pro, Fireworks, Contribute and FlashPaper for $1,899.00
(upgrade $899.00). The Studio 8 bundle - DreamWeaver, Flash Pro,
Fireworks, Contribute and FlashPaper for $999.00 (upgrade $399.00).
Creation - vector and bitmap graphics editing, auto shapes,
photo retouching and animation tools -motion blur Live Effects, Linear,
Radial, Zoom Blur, 26 blend modes, perspective shadow, solid shadow,
mobile interface components, sample buttons, animations, themes,
bullets, AutoShape properties panel, Live marquee and convert
selections, autoname text, special characters panel, reshape text on a
path
Integrated Workflow - roundtrip image editing with Flash
Professional 8 and Dreamweaver 8, server-side code support, version
control and built-in FTP, CSS pop-up menus, vector compatibility,
automatically insert polygon slides when selected object is a polygon
path, recognize ActionScript color values, use "save as" command to save
bitmaps into different file types
Optimization - save optimization settings for reuse, batch
process images at consistent size, format and quality, preview images at
different settings before optimization, image editing panel, batch
processing workflow optimized
Design
- filters (graphic effects), blend modes, easing control for animation,
ActionScript 2.0, object-based drawing mode, FlashType text rendering
engine, templates, data components, UI components
Video and
Mobile - publish to Flash Lite, interactive mobile device emulator,
mobile templates, external players, MIDI ring tone support
Professional
Video - embedded video, external video, advanced video import workflow,
advanced video component, stand-alone video encoder, flash video
exporter plugin for QuickTime, advanced encoding options, embedded cue
points for FLV files, Alpha Channel support
User
Experience - Script Assist, advanced library, spell checking and
search/replace, video component, project panel, extensibility
architecture, SWF metadata, accessibility
Avid Xpress, Media Composer, Apple Final Cut Pro, Discreet
Cleaner, Anysteam Agility
Time Savings -
นนนน
If you
plan to
have a
"high
end",
interactive
site with
animations,
streaming
media and
more,
Adobe's
products
will help
you attain
your goal
in an
efficient
and
effective
manner.
Ease of Use
-
@@@1/2
Adobe
products
are NOT
simple to
use for
the
uninitiated.
However,
if you
invest the
time,
you'll
find that
the
results
are more
than worth
the time
and money
invested
in the
software
and
training
you'll
need.
(Adobe
offers a
wide
variety of
online
training
classes at
$129.00
per class
- GoLive,
Photoshop,
Illustrator,
Acrobat -
everything
you'll
need to
effectively
construct
your
site.)
Works With
-
YYYY
Adobe's
software
is
designed
for both
the
Windows
and
Macintosh
environments.
Support
-
pppp
The Adobe
support
site is
comprehensive
and well
designed.
Adobe
offers a
multitude
of
training
classes to
help you
get
started
and
improve
your
utilization
of their
software.
Additionally,
Adobe
provides a
forum for
users and
experts to
discuss
problems,
solutions
and even
interesting
new ways
to use the
software
to solve
business
problems. If you need more help, Adobe offers phone support plans - $39.00
per incident or $159.00 for unlimited support for one year.
Features
-
iiii1/2
Adobe's
solutions
are
feature
rich and
integrate
well with
their
other
industry
"benchmark"
software,
Photoshop
and
Illustrator.
Additionally,
the
software
is very
well
designed
for
inclusion
of high
end
graphics,
animations
and
streaming
media.
An "extra"
is the
ability to
author
pages for
wireless
devices
(small
screens,
low
bandwidth) and deliver 3D content over low bandwidth connections as well.
Overall
Rating -
%%%%
You can't
go wrong
purchasing
Adobe
software
UNLESS you
are
unwilling
to take
the time
to learn
to use it
effectively.
Additionally,
if you
don't and
won't EVER
need the
functionality
that Adobe
solutions
deliver,
it is a
high price
to pay for
development
of a more
basic web
presence.
Therefore,
purchase
Adobe if
you want
more than
the basics
and have
the time,
expertise
and energy
($$'s
too!) to invest to
realize
the
potential
of these
powerful
software
packages.
Apple's Shake and Motion are straight forward to set up for use.
Cost
-
$$$1/2
Shake 4 is priced
at $2,999.00, $999.00 for the upgrade.
Software
Price
O/S
Supported
Overview
Features
Compatibility
Shake 4.1 Mac OS X
$2,999.00, upgrade $999.00
Macintosh OS X 10.3.2 or higher
Compositing Software
Unified 2D 3D compositing - 32-bitfloat Keylight and
Primatte keyers, OpenGL-accelerated 3D multi-plane compositing,
resolution independence, tracking on Rotoshape Points, Truelight monitor
calibration
Image processing - pixel-by-pixel image analysis for
retiming, resizing, automatic stabilization, smoothcam and tracking,
shape-based warping and morphing, auto-align
Scripting language and macros
Motion 2
Available as part of Final Cut Studio HD - $1,299.00
Macintosh OS X 10.4.4 or higher
Animation Software
Design in real time - play back, move and resize
video layers interactively, 32-bit float rendering process
Customizable behaviors in Motion Library for drag and
drop graphics, assign parameter behaviors to MIDI knobs and faders
500 filter effects, presets and particles including
3D rotate, extrude, vignette, caustics and membrane generators, apply
and modify particles, FxPlug architecture to apply effects from third
party developers
Drag and drop project files into Adobe After Effects
or launch Motion from within After Effects
Comes with Compressor for video and audio
compression, 50 custom designed Motion Looks, dvGarage: dvMatte
Blast, Zaxwerks: 3D Flag
Time Savings -
นนนน
Shake
and Motion 2 will help develop 3D/2D effects for video.
Ease of Use
-
@@@1/2
Shake is moderately complex software and will take some time and
effort on your part to use effectively. With that said, it still has the
Macintosh "ease of use" interface - however, don't expect to be an "instant"
Shake expert. Motion 2 is also not for the "beginner". However the
user interface is designed to simplify using this powerful and complex
software.
Works
With
-
YYY
Shake and Motion 2 are for Macintosh only.
Support
-
pppp
Apple has
an
extensive
knowledge
base,
technical
support
and more
on their
web site.
There is also a discussion area to get help from other users. If you need
more help, Apple has an "800" number and email support available.
Features
-
iiii+
Shake includes 2D/3D compositing,
pixel-by-pixel image analysis, resizing, automatic stabilization, shape-base
warping and morphing and more. Lots of capability. Motion 2 includes
all the tools you'll need to develop complex animations including 500 filter
effects, presets and particles as well as included add-ons: Compressor,
dvMatte Blast and 3D Flag. It also works seamlessly with Adobe's After
Effects video software.
Overall
Rating -
นนนน
Quality packages, as usual, from Apple.
Shake is a great "add-on" for Final Cut Studio HD - which includes Motion 2.
Autodesk's software applications are NOT for the beginner.
Expect to spend a significant amount of time getting acquainted with the
software. If your system meets the software's hardware and OS
requirements, it will install in a straight forward manner.
Cost
-
$$$1/2
Pricing for
Autodesk products is detailed in the table below.
Windows XP Professional, Red
Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 WS, SUSE Linux 10.0, Apple Macintosh OS X 10.4.6,
Fedora Core 5
Rendering Software
Four final gather modes
Light lists in geometric instances
Catmull-Clark mesh support
Per-face data support
Global illumination
Shader libraries - paint shader, architectural
visualization shader, film production shader libraries
Time Savings -
นนนน
Once
you've invested the time Autodesk's software can help professional animators and
developers create dazzling animations.
Ease of Use
-
@@@1/2
Autodesk's software is powerful - and complex. Expect to
spend time getting acquainted with this software.
Works
With
-
YYYY1/2
Check the specific application - Autodesk makes software that is
Windows, Macintosh and Linux compatible.
Support
-
pppp
Autodesk
includes
60 days of
telephone
support
with their
software.
Their
support
desk is
open
Monday
through
Friday 7
AM to 5 PM
Pacific
(we hope
that's
when you
have your
problems!!!).
Autodesk
also has a
comprehensive
web
support
site with
an
extensive
knowledge
base and
discussion
groups to
help you
out.
Training
is
supplied
by third
parties
(you can
find one
near you
at the Autodesk
site).
After the
first 60
days,
Autodesk
offers
phone
support
either
through
subscription
($149.00
yearly) or
on a per
incident
basis ($65
per
incident).
Obviously,
if you
think you
may need
to make 2
calls per
year, a
subscription
is the way
to go!
Features
-
iiii1/2
3DS Max includes tons of capabilities - from the
ability to make hair or fur dynamics to special lighting effects and bidped
motion. Additionally, 3DS Max is designed to interface seamlessly with
other Autodesk CAD or graphics tools that enables inventors, engineers,
architects and manufacturers to construct "lifelike" models of their drawings or
environments. Maya and MotionBuilder make constructing and animating
characters into lifelike scenes more than possible. Hundreds of brush
effects, multiple rendering options and lots of interoperability with other
applications (like Adobe Photoshop) and file types.
Overall
Rating -
นนนน1/2
Powerful and complex packages - for the
professional designer only - but applications that can "really" do the job.
Canopus' Imaginate is straight forward to install and set up for
use.
Cost
-
$$$1/2
Imaginate is
priced at $199.00, the upgrade is $49.00.
Software
Price
O/S
Supported
Overview
Features
Compatibility
Imaginate 2.0
$199.00, upgrade
$49.00
Windows
2000, XP
Animation Software
Pan, zoom,
rotate and skew stills in 3D
Save projects
as video clips
Image scaling
Plug in
support for Canopus EDIUS, Edit, Let's ECTI and Adobe Premiere (6.x or
Pro)
Smart wizards
and ready-to-use template for project configuration
Audio import
support to add narration or music
Multiple image
support and set up of montages using Imaginate Storyboard
Anchor and
spline controls
Keyframe Blur
filter
Bitmap, JPEG, Targa, Photoshop, JPEG Network Graphic,
Portable Network Graphics, Tagged Image File Format, Amiga IFF Forma,
Multiple Network Graphic, Kodak PhotoCD, PCX Bitmap Format, Wave, MP3,
Windows Media Audio and Video, AIFF, AVI, MPEG, MPEG-2, ASF,
Uncompressed RGB AVI, Microsoft DV, Any DirectShow AVI codec
Time Savings -
นนนน
Canopus' Imaginate is a slick software application for animating high
quality/resolution images. When used with other Canopus video applications
or Adobe's Premiere a good, fast way to build animations for high quality video
projects.
Ease of Use
-
@@@@
Not the simplest of software, but lots of wizards and
configuration help to get you through the animation process.
Works
With
-
YYY
Imaginate is designed for the Windows environment.
Support
-
ppp+
The Canopus web site includes forums, tutorials, downloads,
install procedures and helpful hints. If you need more help, Canopus
offers an online form only.
Features
-
iii1/2+
A comprehensive software application to
animate images for video. A large number of templates to help you build
your animations faster and, as you become more "expert", controls to adjust
camera size, rotation, camera movements and more.
Overall
Rating -
นนน1/2+
A very good "middle of the road" animation
tool focused on image animation for video producers. Integration with
other Canopus video tools and Adobe Premiere is a big plus.
Corel's
Animation
Shop 3 is
one of the
simplest
and
easiest to
use 3D
animation
software
packages
on the
market.
However,
we again
caution
prospective
buyers,
that
simplicity
in
software
usually
results in
more
limited
functionality.
Therefore,
make sure
that
Animation
Shop 3
supplies
all the
features
and
functions
you'll
need both
now and in
the near
term
before
purchase. Active CGM is designed for the professional user. It is
designed to integrate with other applications using a C programming-based API.
Cost
-
$$$$
Corel Animation Shop 3 is priced at $39.00 for the download, Active CGM is
$844.00.
Software
Price
O/S
Supported
Overview
Features
Compatibility
Animation
Shop 3
$39.00
(download),
upgrade
$19.00
Windows
95,
98, NT
4.0,
2000
Animation Software
Animation wizard, banner wizard, file browser
General
Features
-
paintbrush
and
eraser,
line,
shape,
text
editing
tools,
onionskin
preview,
flood
fill,
crop,
registration
mark, cull animation
Output
-
web
preview,
file
size
and
download
time
preview,
"flexible
file
format
support"
Integ. with Paint Shop Pro
Active CGM
$844.00
Windows NT 4, 2000, ME, XP, Solaris 8 (2.8)
Animation Software
CGM support through to version 4.0 and
industry-specific profiles
Supports the ActiveCGM family of profiles for
intelligent graphics
Configurable user interface
Animation produced with ActiveCGM Author
Redlining for drawing review
Add callouts and text comments
ActiveCGM API includes layered architecture, library
of pre-built routines, set of demonstration scripts
Active Schematics - schematic overview, point to
wire, component or line replaceable unit and display its properties,
hyperlink between related schematics and other data, create your own
symbol libraries, create connector blocks automatically, redline and
comment on schematics and wiring diagrams, animate basic components
Time Savings -
นนนน
If you are
seeking to
"spice up"
your Web
presence
with 3D
images,
you'll
need a
tool like
Animation
Shop 3 to do
it more
simply and
well.
Animation
Shop 3 is one
of the
simplest
3D
animation
packages
on the
market, so
you'll be
up and
"running"
quickly
and ready
to output
your new
Web
animation
in no
time. Actve CGM is designed to help professional designers add animation
and hyperlinks to product parts - it'll speed things up for folks performing
those tasks.
Ease of Use
-
@@@@
As noted above, we believe that the Animation Shop 3 is one of the simplest and
most usable 3D animation packages on the market.
Active CGM will, as with most professional applications, take some time to use
effectively.
Works With
-
YYY+
Animation Shop 3 software is designed for the Windows environment,
Active CGM for Windows and Solaris.
Support
-
ppp1/2
The
Corel support
site is
well
organized
and they
have a
number of FAQs and
online
tutorials to
help you
use
Animation
Shop 3
effectively.
Customer
support is
also
available
via email
and
telephone
(8 AM to
5:00 PM
Central,
Monday
through
Friday - no "800" number, you'll pay long distance charges where they apply).
Features
-
iii1/2
Simple Start-Up
results in
a less
full
featured
product -
so with
Animation
Shop 3, you
get what
you'll
need to
perform
basic
animation
tasks for
your Web
site -
period.
Don't
expect any
of the
features
available
in more
robust
packages
(like the
ability to
create
"scenes"
for your
gaming or
"Web
world"
endeavors
or even
the
ability to
add 3D
animation
to videos)
- but if
all you
need to do
is animate
some text
or objects
for your
Web site -
the
Corel
package
will
probably meet
your
very basic needs.
Active CGM is an application targeted at one specific function. Adding
hyperlinks and animation to product designs. A more than capable product
for that task.
Overall
Rating -
นนน1/2
Corel's Animation Shop 3 is a good package for home based business owners seeking
to "spice up" their Web site with splashy titles and animations. It is a
very simple package to use with lots of "wizards", however, if you require
more in depth capabilities in manipulating and/or creating objects or scenes, or
may want to add graphics to videos or movies later, you'll need a more robust
package like those provided by Adobe and Eovia. If you are performing
product design - and need to animate those products, Corel's Active CGM will do
the job effectively.
Works
With
-
YYY
Active CGM will, as with most professional applications, take some time to use
effectively.