#Special Effects
23 messages in this thread
Hey all,
This may be wishful thinking, but I sort of remember reading something about a
program, like Razor Pro, or Premiere, that can apply Kai's Power Tool's to an
image over time. Is there something like this floating around, or am I
dreaming???
Andrew Sinagra
Digital Art & Motion
Andrew,
I've never used KPT's, but from what I imagine them to be: XAOS tools has a
program called Pennello, that will allow you to do all kinds of cool effects
over any range of frames. If the program wasn't so _WAY_ overpriced, I would
probably have a copy. (It's somewhere in the 800-1000 range). FWIW,
Bob W.
<<Is there something like this floating around (Kai Power Tools for 3D
Studio)>>
HSC software are releasing a Kai Power Tool's IPAS that should be available
from them direct from the 15th of February. I think that it is very reasonably
priced. Their number is (805) 566 6200, I spoke to someone there called Guy
McCumber (extension 6264). There are a few examples in the IMAGES section. I
have already ordered a copy on the basis of this.
>> HSC software are releasing a Kai Power Tool's IPAS that should be
available from them direct from the 15th of February. I think that it is
very reasonably priced. Their number is (805) 566 6200, I spoke to someone
there <<
If you call $395 for an IPAS that does many of the same things as their $99
package for Windows/Mac reasonable.
>>If you call $395 for an IPAS that does many of the same things as their $99
package for Windows/Mac reasonable.
Good point. I figured it would be pretty reasonable considering the price on
the plug-ins for Windows. Now, I'm not exactly sure what it takes to make a
product that already exists into an IPAS but, it seams like the word IPAS lends
itself to a price increase. A sort of, different prices for different markets
deal…
Who knows???? But in the larger scheme of things, $395 seams to be relatively
fair compared to other IPAS that are being shipped. I just hope it has the
same spectacular results that I get in Photoshop.
Andrew Sinagra
Digital Art & Motion
Andrew,
I talked to HSC a month or so ago and also I have seen the IPAS demoed.
As I see it the ability to _apply_ the effect over time as well as _vary_ the
effect over time is a BIG plus of course, as is the ability to be run
directly from 3DS. The IPAS is very fast and the files it saves are not
bitmaps but .GRD files discribing the gradient which makes them much
smaller. A well thought out app. IMHO
Just realize that you will not get all the modules that you get with their
Windows plug in filter. This IPAS is the Gradient Designer only. As HSC
explained it to me, more IPAS modules will come out later (Fractal Designer,
etc).
I make my IPAS buying decisions on what is needed for a particular project
first not the price. Although cost does factor in. I'm not making a
recommendation either for or against, just sharing extra info as I
understand it.
Ralph
Ralph,
Thanks for the input..
I tend to buy IPAS as needed also. But this wouldn't be a bad thing
to have lying around. <g>
However if I understood you correctly, the only effects IPAS that they
will be shipping will be a gradient designer??!! I was hoping for
more of their other effects. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
Do you know if Razor Pro directly supports Kai's. I remember reading
something about it but I'm not sure. I will try and contact Jamie
Carr (Jamie, if your out there jump in <g>) at in:sync to get the
scoop.
Andrew,
Check out the thread Gradient Designer. Richard Enriquez 76142,612 can
anwsers all your questions and see about getting you a demo.
Ralph
>> Who knows???? But in the larger scheme of things, $395 seams to
be relatively fair compared to other IPAS that are being shipped. I
just hope it has the same spectacular results that I get in
Photoshop.
<<
I saw the ad in the new issue of PC Graphics and Video… leaves me
kinda cold. It looks like it is only the Gradient designer, with
interfaces to the Materials Editor, Video Post, and the Keyframer (as
background). It does give you time-based controls, but for my work
it looks rather useless. I am sure that many people will do cool
stuff with it (like Greatful Dead videos) – maybe it's just the ad
that turns me off.
I agree wholeheartedly with everything RalphF said, and I'd like to
add an aside… If you talk to any hard-core Alias user and ask them
what features in the materials editor that they really like, they'll
tell you that they LOVE the "grad" tool. That tool allows you to
build gradients to affect material components with quite a bit of
flexibility. However, as flexible as it is, it doesn't come close to
the power of the HSC IPAS Gradient Designer.
For a visually-creative person, the ability to make animated ramps
over time as components of materials, mattes, backgrounds, layers,
etc is a godsend.
I'm a "soft-core" Alias user and – yes I agree the grad tool is one of
those thoughtfull features that really comes in handy. The KPT
software looks to me to be VERY useful. The kind of thing that you
never knew what you'd use it for before you got and never figuered
how you lived without it after.
Exactly.
– G
>> For a visually-creative person, the ability to make animated ramps over
time as components of materials, mattes, backgrounds, layers, etc is a
godsend. <<
Ahhhh… animated gradient opacity maps. NOW you are talking. Perhaps
the comment that was made about people not initially grasping the
utility of this program is appropriate.
Andrew:
>> If you call $395 for an IPAS that does many of the same things as their
>> $99 package for Windows/Mac reasonable.
It took GusG over six months of coding to make that program happen.
If you haven't demo'd it yet, you've got to see it to believe it!
>> It took GusG over six months of coding to make that program happen.
Ah… which brings up the point not mentioned yet, SPEED. It seems
increadable fast. Way to go Gus!
Keep in mind that the NEW KPT package effects are animateable over time.
This is somthing that the $99 version does not do.
There is a world of difference between the Win/Mac version of Kai's
Power Tools and the 3D Studio version. The later was written from the
ground up with 3D Studio in mind (not just a straight port). As
opposed to a static image plugin, 3DS KPT is a multilayer, time based
plugin capable of doing all kinds of different effects. Just about
every aspect of it can be keyframed. Any number of layers can be
added allowing all kinds of transitions to an almost infinite level.
Its results are saved as an animated BXP which means it can be use
for background, materials, bump masks, reflection masks, anything
that uses a "virtual" bitmap.
Bump maps and reflection maps…. now you are talking. KPT would do a
fine job with those. Like I said, the ad just wasn't very exciting.
Dan, Your right
This Filter is considered to be the " Swiss Army Knife" of IPAS
Routines. You can create all types of special effects with real-time
feedback. It already has been used for special effects in major
motion pictures. With a cool UI and time based controls Animators,
Designers, and LOVERS of Special Effect Tools will spend countless
hours dreaming up new ways to use Gradient Designer FX 1.0 within
their projects.
By the way this is the first of a series of time-based IPAS routines
from HSC. Keep your eye open for the Texture Explorer
Dan thanks for the inquiry I will be posting a no-save version of the Gradient
Designer FX 1.0 within the next few days.
Richard Enriquez, Product Manager KPT VideoWare, HSC Software
Richard,
Wow, I thought I asked a simple question. It sounds like the KPT IPAS routine
is going to be great.
Don't you just love it when dreams come true….. <g>
Andrew,
HSC IS currently developing Kai's Power Tools for 3D Studio and you will
be able to apply all their effects to a range of frames over time.
-Lee
Hey Lee,
How are things going? It's good to hear from you. Jeff tells me you have a
lot good things going on up there. I hope everything is going well.
Thanks for the info about Kai's. I had heard about it a while ago, but since
then I have heard nothing.
Talk to you soon,
Andrew Sinagra
Digital Art & Motion