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How the software applications stack up
THE WORLD OF 3D ANIMATION IS SLOWLY opening up to new artists. New training options, online communities of users, and lower prices now make the prospect of 3D animation more enticing for independent filmmakers. But for those who know little about the field, starting out in 3D animation is still laden with many tough decisions, primary among which is selecting the animation program to invest in.
In the last issue of The Independent, I covered the evolving field of 3D animation. Here I report on three popular 3D applications from the perspective of an independent artist. As you will see, no single program will be right for everyone, but one of the following programs will meet the requirements of most independent artists.
I determined three criteria for a 3D animation program to meet for it to serve the specific needs of the independent artist. Each of the programs reviewed here are distributed in a free "learning edition" demonstration version that allows the prospective user to try out and learn how to use the program before purchasing it. Each of these programs costs less than $2,000. Finally, each of these programs is available for both the Mac and Windows platforms, so any filmmaker with a modem video editing system will be able to add 3D animation to their tools.
Universe 4
Electric Image, $1,000, Mac OS 9/OS X, Windows 98/2000/XP, Solaris, www.electricimage.com
Originally called Electric Image Animation System, this program is popular for its quick rendering of images. Universe is overshadowed in popularity by other applications but it is a flexible, useful, and quick performer with much to offer those on a budget. The application has the simplest and most straightforward interface of all three programs reviewed, and it has the considerable advantage that a limited version of it is bundled with the 3D Toolkit, a superb 3D training system.
Universe separates its functions into three programs: modeler, animator, and camera. As their names imply, modeler is for creating your 3D models; animator is for texturing, lighting, and animating; and camera is for rendering images of your animations. Using separate applications to create 3D is a little awkward because it makes it difficult to make changes to your...