Comments

Chienworks wrote on 5/29/2002, 11:46 PM
I use Micrografx Simply 3D (part of the Webtricity package). It's great for animated text, textures, shapes, and lighting. I paid about $50 and got the 3D animation program, Picture Publisher, and a 2D vector drawing program in a combined package.

http://www.chienworks.com/media/ Click on one of the "askocorp-title" files to see a very simple sample of what can be done with it. These samples are in Windows Media format, so they're a little fuzzy. Simply 3D renders to uncompressed AVI so the output can be very sharp and clear.
FadeToBlack wrote on 5/30/2002, 2:06 AM
PeterMac wrote on 5/30/2002, 5:22 AM
I've had a look at your examples: very impressive. I think I'll check out this program too. Thanks for the tip!

-Pete
Chienworks wrote on 5/30/2002, 6:02 AM
I forgot to mention ... http://www.micrografx.com/

They have a new version out that is quite a bit more expensive. However, we've been picking up copies of Webtricity 2 for about $25 on eBay.
bstaley wrote on 5/30/2002, 8:15 AM
I have Simply3D but I haven't used it for a while. It was so easy to use but what I could never figure out was how to create an AVI with a transparent background. I was able to do GIFs with a transparent background, but not AVIs. Are you able to do this? Thanks.
tserface wrote on 5/30/2002, 9:16 AM
Use a solid color background for your AVI then use the chromakey filter to filter out the color you used. For example, you could use BLUE 255, RED 0, GREEN 0, and it's really easy to filter. Make sure you background is a different color than your text or images using in your animation.

Tom
watson wrote on 5/30/2002, 2:18 PM
Your settings are wrong if Cool 3D files are not looking good. They look great on my system.
PeterMac wrote on 5/31/2002, 8:03 AM
Ah yes, you're quite right...
I took one look at the prices and decided I could live very well without it. In fact, I'd rather paint the words on an old cardboard box and point the camera at that than pay absurd prices.

I'll use Xara, I think. It seems to do much the same thing.

-Pete
jpresley wrote on 5/31/2002, 8:09 AM
The Xara forum states a new version of XARA 3D will be out in the near future.
It might be worth a look in a few days. www.xara.com

jpresley
tserface wrote on 5/31/2002, 11:11 AM
Kelley,

Does Simply 3D work on Windows XP. It looks like the Webtricity product is not being supported by Corel, but if it does work on XP it may certainly be worth $30 just for it's limited life time.

Tom
Chienworks wrote on 5/31/2002, 12:47 PM
Tom, sorry, i don't know. I don't have access to an XP machine to try it on, nor am i likely to in the forseeable future. It does run fine under 95, 98, 98SE, ME, and 2000.