3D Warps, 3D Layer Tools and The Werks Version 2.0 are now available for download. The new versions are compatible with After Effects CS3 – CS5.5.

In addition to the After Effects CS5 and CS5.5 compatibility, we also added support for 16-bit and 32-bit rendering. For 3D Warps, a new adjustable Draft Mode lets you work even faster than before. The Werks now offer real-time Gradient and Glow updates while editing.

The version 2 plug-ins are available now via the Zaxwerks website. Upgrades from version 1 to version 2 are $25 each.

- Improved Video Card Compatibility for both Mac and Windows.

- Updated file icons.

- New feature allows you to link and unlink 3D Text. By keeping your text linked, this keeps the text easy for editing. Unlink the text to tweak each letter individually.

- The program now saves the last Camera used so the interface will open with the previously used camera.

- The ProAnimator Standalone now saves the Maximize setting for the inner interface window (Windows Only).

- The Render Test button now works for all Cameras instead of just the Main Camera.

- Fixes an issue where After Effects may run out of memory and crash during rendering.

- Fixes an issue where editing the text from a version 4 project may cause the text to shift in position.

- Fixes an issue where Reflectivity Maps created from version 4 may appear differently than in version 5.

- Fixes an issue where black pixels may appear and flicker during a render when using Fresnel materials.

- Fixes an issue where you have to re-link the Text Substitution file after re-opening the project file.

- Fix for a crash that may occur if you are working in a separate program such as Illustrator or Photoshop, and using the Save command.

Visit our download page to get the version 5.0.8 update.

3D Flag Version 2.0 is now available for download. This version is compatible with After Effects CS3 – CS5.5.

In addition to the After Effects CS5 and CS5.5 compatibility, we also added support for 16-bit and 32-bit rendering. We have also improved the speed of the program so you can get near-realtime playback in the After Effects timeline.

The plug-in is available now via the Zaxwerks website. Upgrades from version 1 are $25.

- Fixes an issue related to multi-threaded rendering. This fix may prevent an issue where the program crashes during the render.

- Fixes an issue where if you duplicate or copy and paste 3D Text, the text may shift in position after editing the text.

- Fixes an issue where using a Matte Material with the setting “Composite on Original” does not show the correct layer.

- Fixes an issue where you have to disable the User Account Controls (UAC) in order to enter the authorization code. In some cases, users using Windows 7 had to re-enter the authorization after every re-boot.

- Fixes an issue with editing text from older projects.

- Fixes an issue where you cannot cancel or hide while rendering in ProAnimator as a Standalone.

Visit our download page to get the version 5.0.6 update.

In ProAnimator version 5.0.6 we’ve also added the ability to organize Object and Camera Animation presets into categories.

This means, instead of one long list of choices, animation presets can now be organized by placing them into folders on your hard drive. Each folder becomes a submenu in the Object Animations and Camera Animations menus of the ProAnimator software.

The 5.0.6 version of ProAnimator comes with a new set of animation presets. If you are installing ProAnimator for the first time you’ll get the new presets automatically, but if you have ever run a version of ProAnimator prior to 5.0.6 you will need to reset the animation presets, otherwise you won’t get the new animations.

To Reset The Animation Presets

First install the new software. Then run the software and go into the ProAnimator > Preferences window. At the bottom of this window there will be a group of checkboxes called: “Restore Files to Factory Settings.” Uncheck all the checkboxes except for “Animation presets”. Then click the “Restore” button and close the Preferences window. Now the new Object and Camera animation presets will appear.

How To Prevent Some Presets From Being Deleted

If you have created your own personal Object or Camera animation presets and want to keep them, you must move them out of the presets folder before using the Restore function. After using the Restore function, move your own presets back into the folders they came from.

—- For the ProAnimator standalone:

Object Animations are kept in the: “Users > YourUserName > Documents (My Documents) > Zaxwerks > ProAnimator 5 > Animator Presets > Object Animations” folder.

Camera Animations are kept in the: “Users > YourUserName > Documents (My Documents) > Zaxwerks > ProAnimator 5 > Animator Presets > Camera Animations” folder.

—- For the ProAnimator AE plug-in:

Object Animations are kept in the: “Users > YourUserName > Documents (My Documents) > Zaxwerks > ProAnimator AE 5 > Animator Presets > Object Animations” folder.

Camera Animations are kept in the: “Users > YourUserName > Documents (My Documents) > Zaxwerks > ProAnimator AE 5 > Animator Presets > Camera Animations” folder.

Andrew Devis has gone through the new ProAnimator version 5 interface, and taken the time to create four new comprehensive tutorials that will cover the basic controls of ProAnimator, and how to create your very first animation.

Andrew goes through the controls from a user’s point of view, and goes in depth about the whole process of creating an animation.

Topics discussed:

- Creating 3D Text.

- Creating and customizing 3D Primitives.

- Making Parametric Shapes and adjusting the settings.

- Applying materials, assigning materials to different sides of an object.

- Applying Object Animation presets.

- Editing Poses and Transitions.

- Setting up lighting with Lighting presets.

Click on the links below to watch the video tutorials.

Your First Animation in ProAnimator: Part 1 Modeling

Your First Animation in ProAnimator: Part 2 Materials

Your First Animation in ProAnimator: Part 3 Animation

Your First Animation in ProAnimator: Part 4 Lighting

Zaxwerks is proud to announce that ProAnimator 5 has just been released!

This is a MAJOR release. ProAnimator has been completely reinvented. You can now do things in ProAnimator that were never possible before. We have added hundreds of new features designed to make your work faster, easier and more productive; to save you time and help you make more money.

As always, ProAnimator works as both a Standalone and a Plug-in for After Effects.

Highlights include:

Multiprocessing

ProAnimator will now use every core on your system to render much faster than before.

Integrated Drawing Window

All 3D objects have to be modeled. 3D modeling is traditionally very difficult but Zaxwerks has made this easy as pie. As you draw, the 3D model is created for you, on the fly. Right before your eyes. As you edit the 2D paths the 3D objects are re-built in real time. Need to add holes? No problem. If you draw one path inside of another path the program knows what to do. Hate Bezier curves? Again no problem. Our exclusive Auto-Curve tool figures out the curves for you.

Watch the movie to find out more.

Live Text Editing

Most of your text and logo animations begin life as fonts. But what if you have to make changes to the shapes of the letters? Ordinarily this means converting the text to outlines, which prevents you from going back and making changes to the fonts. A perplexing quandary.

We solved that puzzle by giving you the best of both worlds. In ProAnimator 5 you can edit the Bezier curves of text characters without having to convert them to paths. This allows you to make texty-type changes (switch justification, change margins, etc) and any edits you’ve made to the curves will be preserved.

Watch the movie to find out more.

Warping

Flat text and logos have their place, but nothing makes a client’s logo pop off the screen quite like bending it. ProAnimator 5 can now do exactly that. Warping has been built directly into the time line so you can bend, twist, fold, bulge, taper, wave and ripple your 3D objects as you work on the rest of your project.

Workflow-Based Interface

A program with lots of features usually pays the price of complexity. Complicated programs take a long time to learn and most features are hidden under layers of user interface. In ProAnimator 5 Zaxwerks has gone out of its way to bring the features to the user. A simple set of workspace buttons presents the tools and controls you need, when you need them. Panels can be arranged to fit your personal monitor size and your working style. Additionally, hundreds of enhanced Tool Tips explain what every button and control does and how to use it, saving you valuable time and making you an expert, tip by tip.

Materials & Mapping

What good is a really cool model if it isn’t covered with a really cool texture? ProAnimator 5 has added a powerful texture creation system which has over 30 different procedural noises and the best gradient designer on the market to let you create surface treatments so luscious they’ll make your mouth water.

Of course if you don’t want or need all this power you can leave it hidden and never get your fingers dirty. The power is always a click away but Zaxwerks doesn’t force you to deal with it if you don’t want to. Remember, good workflow reduces the complexity.

Text Substitution

So you have 100 graphics to do and you’re on a budget? Time to let ProAnimator help you out. Version 5 adds Text Substitution an amazing new feature where you can set up an animation once, then by linking the animation to a spreadsheet of data, get it to render all the variations automatically. No more hand-editing every graphic. An easy way to become extraordinarily productive overnight.

Batch Rendering

Speaking of being productive overnight, ProAnimator 5 now features batch rendering. This lets you create many projects and render them all while you’re away from your desk, one after the other. You no longer have to wait until one rendering is done before you can start the next one. Just queue them up and when you leave for lunch hit the Render Projects button and they’ll all be waiting for you when you come back.

Designed For You

ProAnimator 5 has so many new features we don’t have space to talk about them all. Lathe modeling; 16/32 bit rendering; Animatable Parenting; Animatable Grouping; User-Drawn Bevels and support for Open Type fonts are just a few of the huge set of new features. But at the heart of it all is a workflow design that is like no other. 

This program was designed by designers. Folks who want to get the job done as quickly and professionally as possible, and want tools that can help them advance to the next levels of their craft. This program is a masterpiece of workflow. It works quickly, efficiently, with a low learning curve and an amazing ability to let you re-use previous work and to respond to client changes without losing precious time.

Take a look. Download the demo. Start getting ahead today.

ProAnimator is compatible with After Effects:
Windows CS3 – CS5.5
Macintosh CS3 – CS5.5

To upgrade to ProAnimator version 5, please visit our Price List page below:
http://zaxwerks.com/price_list.shtml

Zaxwerks is proud to announce that 3D Invigorator version 5 for After Effects has just been released!

This is a MAJOR release. 3D Invigorator has been completely reinvented. You can now do things in After Effects that were never possible before. We have added hundreds of new features designed to make your work faster, easier and more productive; to save you time and help you make more money.

Highlights include:

Integrated Drawing Window

All 3D objects have to be modeled. 3D modeling is traditionally very difficult but Zaxwerks has made this easy as pie. As you draw, the 3D model is created for you, on the fly. Right before your eyes. As you edit the 2D paths the 3D objects are re-built in real time. Need to add holes? No problem. If you draw one path inside of another path the program knows what to do. Hate Bezier curves? Again no problem. Our exclusive Auto-Curve tool figures out the curves for you.

Watch the movie to find out more.

Live Text Editing

Most of your text and logo animations begin life as fonts. But what if you have to make changes to the shapes of the letters? Ordinarily this means converting the text to outlines, which prevents you from going back and making changes to the fonts. A perplexing quandary.

So we solved that puzzle by giving you the best of both worlds. In Invigorator 5 you can edit the Bezier curves of text characters without having to convert them to paths. This allows you to make texty-type changes (switch justification, change margins, etc) and any edits you’ve made to the curves will be preserved.

Watch the movie to find out more.

Warping

Flat text and logos have their place, but nothing makes a client’s logo pop off the screen quite like bending it. 3D Invigorator PRO 5 can now do exactly that. Warping has been built directly into the After Effects time line so you can bend, twist, fold, bulge, taper, wave and ripple your 3D objects as you work on the rest of your comp.

Watch the movie to find out more.

Workflow-Based Interface

A program with lots of features usually pays the price of complexity. Complicated programs take a long time to learn and most features are hidden under layers of user interface, so Zaxwerks has gone out of its way to bring the features to the user. A simple set of workspace buttons presents the tools and controls you need, when you need them. Panels can be arranged to fit your personal monitor size and your working style. Additionally, hundreds of enhanced Tool Tips explain what every button and control does and how to use it, saving you valuable time and making you an expert, tip by tip.

Materials & Mapping

What good is a really cool model if it isn’t covered with a really cool texture? 3D Invigorator v5 has added a powerful texture creation system which has over 30 different procedural noises and the best gradient designer on the market to let you create surface treatments so luscious they’ll make your mouth water.

Of course if you don’t want or need all this power you can leave it hidden and never have to get your fingers dirty. The power is always a click away but Zaxwerks doesn’t force you to deal with it if you don’t want to. Remember, good workflow reduces the complexity.

Text Substitution

So you have 100 graphics to do and you’re on a budget? Time to let 3D Invigorator PRO help you out. Version 5 adds Text Substitution an amazing new feature where you can set up an animation once, then by linking the animation to a spreadsheet of data, get it to render all the variations automatically. No more hand-editing every graphic. Just a way to become extraordinarily productive overnight.

Designed For You

3D Invigorator v5 has so many new features we don’t have space to talk about them all. Lathe modeling; 16/32 bit rendering; Animatable Pivot Points, User-Drawn Bevels and support for Open Type fonts are just a few of the huge set of new features. But at the heart of it all is a workflow design that is like no other. 

This program was designed by designers. Folks who want to get the job done as quickly and professionally as possible, and want tools that can help them advance to the next levels of their craft. This program is a masterpiece of workflow. It works quickly, efficiently, with a low learning curve and an amazing ability to let you re-use previous work and to respond to client changes without losing precious time.

Take a look. Download the demo. Start getting Invigorated today.

3D Invigorator is compatible with After Effects:
Windows CS3, CS4, & CS5
Macintosh CS3 & CS4*

* Mac CS5 Version Coming Soon

Here’s a Sneak Peek showing the new text handling features of 3D Invigorator/ProAnimator 5.

The Invigorator/ProAnimator text window has all the controls needed for professional graphics work, with many enhancements over the 4.0 version for making your work faster, easier, more fun and more visual.

One of the completely new things about what you will see in the demonstration is that you can do bezier editing of the text without first having to convert the text to paths. Text is both live and point-editable at the same time, meaning if you have to make texty-type changes, such as changing the justification or adding words, you can do it and the bezier edits will be preserved.

Highlights include:

- Fonts are shown in their typeface.
- Type the font names to jump down the font list.
- Use arrow keys to step through the font list, applying the font to your text as you step.
- Font Favorites save Font, Size, Leading, Baseline Shift, and all other font attributes.
- Bezier edits can be made to the paths of live text.
- Tool tips explain each control.

Here’s an image from the new 3D Invigorator PRO/ProAnimator 5 interface showing some of the new material controls. If you’re not a 3D person this image can look overwhelming but usually everything isn’t open all at the same time. Once you get used to it you can open up the panels like you see in this image which lets you see lots of information very quickly. The panel configuration is saveable as workspaces so you can size them to your own monitor and recall them from the buttons across the bottom of the window.

Here are a few highlights:

- Unlimited stackable shaders for each texture channel.
- Blend modes for shader compositing.
- Alpha channels for each shader.
- A bin for storing material swatches.
- Live interactive mapping controls.
- Interactive splitting of objects into mapping regions.
- A very advanced gradient creator.
- 30 procedural noises for adding streaks, bumps, dots, squiggles and many other effects.
- Tool tips explaining what each control does.

Here’s a demonstration of some of the new drawing features of 3D Invigorator 5 and ProAnimator 5.

- Bezier drawing tools

- Instant 3D object creation as you draw

- Instant holes

- Realtime interactive editing