Archive for the ‘3D Invigorator Pro’ Category

3D Invigorator PRO / Classic, ProAnimator and ProModeler 6.1.0 Available!

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012

Version 6.1.0 is now available! This is a major update with tons of new fixes and even features an enhanced OpenGL Renderer. Below are the details on the changes for version 6.1.0:

- GPU-based Open GL rendering. Enables final quality textures, bump maps, reflections and shadows right in the 3D preview window.

- Changes have been made to handle text editing under more situations allowing text to be freely edited while retaining it’s original position.

- The user interface on Windows has been upgraded for a more modern look.

- A blur function was added to the noise shaders making for better bump maps and a wider range of uses.

- Bump maps have been made more dramatic… and useful.

- The Specular channel is now full color … good for metallic materials.

- Material channels now show a “no” sign if they don’t affect the material. This makes it very easy to see which channels are contributing to the look of the material.

- Imported 3D objects now have normals imported too.

- There is a new Preference to disable jumping to the start of a Pose or Transition when a control is changed. This enables you to leave the Time Marker at a point in time while you change the controls at a different time (ProAnimator Only).

- Undo now works faster, especially when working with Fragmentations (ProAnimator Only).

- ProAnimator no longer pops to the front each time a frame is rendered. This way you can put ProAnimator in the background and work on other things while it’s still rendering.

- Object Animation presets can now be organized into folders (ProAnimator Only).

- The timeline will automatically scroll if you drag a Pose past the end of the timeline (ProAnimator Only).

- The drawing window now automatically scrolls if you drag objects to the edge of the drawing area.

- Fixes an issue where using the Color Picker when working on a Mac OSX Lion may cause the program to crash.

- Fixes an issue on Lion where clicking the “little red ball” button may cause a crash (3D Invigorator Only).

Visit our download page to get the version 6.1.0 update.

Zaxwerks 3D Invigorator PRO vs ShapeShifter AE

Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

Wondering about which plug-in you should be using in After Effects? Check out this review by Ted Jelescu.

This is a detailed video review of ShapeShifter AE from Mettle and Invigorator Pro from Zaxwerks. The review is meant to clarify the strengths, differences, and unique features of each plug-in.

Click here to watch the comprehensive review.

3D Invigorator PRO Version 6.0 Available!

Monday, July 9th, 2012

You won’t believe this upgrade. 3D Invigorator PRO Version 6 has features that let you create animations like you’ve never seen before!

Our new Ray Trace renderer produces ultra-cool pictures, with reflections of objects in other objects, smooth realistic shadows, and glass refractions. Mmmmm. Sweet, sweet pictures.

New workflow features include the ability to trace pictures then map the picture back onto the object with one click; the ability to turn whole folders of images into 3D objects; and the ability to collect all project related files if you have to move the project from one computer to another. If you’re not a 3D-techie this means it’s now easier than ever to turn client artwork into flying 3D objects.

With 3D Invigorator PRO Version 6, animate up to 16 Sets. In a nutshell, with version 6, you not only create cooler looking objects, but you get to animate more at the same time.

Click on this link to download a demo or read more in-depth information about the features of 3D Invigorator PRO Version 6.

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

3D Invigorator Version 6 is compatible with After Effects:
Windows CS5 – CS6
Macintosh CS5 – CS6

If you are working with After Effects 6.5 – CS4, please contact us for an older version of the software.

Note: Once you install version 6, this will replace the version 5 After Effects Plug-in. If you need the version 5.1.0 plug-in again, please use the links below:

3D Invigorator Pro Mac Version Download Link

http://zaxwerks.com/downloads/Invig_AE_5.1.0p_mac.zip

3D Invigorator Pro Windows Version Download Link

http://zaxwerks.com/downloads/Invig_AE_5.1.0p_win.zip

3D Invigorator, ProAnimator & ProModeler Version 5.1.0 Available!

Friday, March 23rd, 2012

Version 5.1.0 is now available for download! Be sure to update to this version for all the latest bug fixes. This version includes many new optimizations and stability fixes.

- Optimization for rendering frames with Motion Blur and Fields.

- Fixes compatibility with the Zapf Dingbat font so the preview shows up properly.

- Fixes the Orthographic camera so you can now orbit using the camera.

- Fixes a crash where if you move Text and use the Undo command, this may cause the program to crash.

- Fixes an issue where deleting shapes in the Profile Editor may cause a crash.

- Fixes an issue where using the Undo command after applying Object Styles may cause the program to crash.

- Fixes a crash if you try to duplicate more than one Set (Invigorator Only).

- Fixes the Comp Camera so that moving the Comp Camera also blurs the objects if Motion Blur is enabled (ProAnimator Only).

- Fixes an issue where parenting an object to a Camera Track will cause the program to crash (ProAnimator Only).

Visit our download page to get the version 5.1.0 update.

Mac CS5 Versions of ProAnimator and 3D Invigorator are now shipping!

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

It’s time to get very happy.

Zaxwerks is proud to announce that both ProAnimator and 3D Invigorator v5, for After Effects CS5, have just been released. If you are a Mac user this is news to write home about! If you are a Windows user the software has been updated and a new 5.0.5 version is ready to go.

New features and fixes include:

- Enhanced 3D Text engine. This fixes any issues with incompatible fonts.

- Improved multi-threaded rendering engine.

- Compatibility opening up older projects.

- Fixes issues with importing 3D Models.

- Fixes an issue with typing values into fields (Windows Only)

- Fixed an issue with editing text from older projects.

To find out more about ProAnimator and 3D Invigorator Version 5, please check the links below:

ProAnimator Blog Post:
http://zaxwerks.com/blog/2011/02/23/proanimator-5-available/

ProAnimator Product Page:
http://zaxwerks.com/proanimator/index.shtml

3D Invigorator Blog Post:
http://zaxwerks.com/blog/2010/12/03/3d-invigorator-version-5-0-available/

3D Invigorator Product Page:
http://zaxwerks.com/invigorator_pro/index.shtml

3D Invigorator Version 5.0 Available!

Friday, December 3rd, 2010

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 – CS6
Macintosh CS3 – CS6

When working with After Effects CS6, be sure to turn off the Disk Caching feature to avoid an issue with the plug-in not updating properly.

3D Invigorator 5 Sneak Peek – Material Controls

Monday, November 22nd, 2010


Click the picture to see the full sized image!

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.

3D Invigorator 5 Sneak Peek – Realtime Drawing Tools

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

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

How To Build A Poor-Man’s Virtual Set by Joe Mason

Friday, September 17th, 2010

There are two kinds of virtual set work. One is where the set and camera are connected through motion control and requires all kinds of expensive equipment. The other is where you shoot the talent green screen with a locked down camera. Then you put the talent into a 3D set using compositing tricks. This second method can be done on a shoe string budget and looks every bit as good as the expensive method. Knowing this technique might be the key to your next job.

This is a three part tutorial lasting 50 minutes. Joe covers the steps to creating a beautiful virtual set, lighting it, inserting the green screen talent and doing the final camera moves. Consider this an Intermediate tutorial because Joe assumes you already know how to open the plug-in and make a Photoshop file.

Topics discussed:

• Creating, positioning and mapping the floor.

• Using 3D Primitives to create columns.

• Importing simple Illustrator files to make furniture.

• Duplicating and rearranging objects.

• Creatively using bevels to make set decorations.

• Setting up lights, light trusses and flares.

• Adding the talent and camera motion.


Download the Illustrator file for the Glass Block Wall: blocks4.ai

Click on the links below to watch all three parts of the video tutorial.

Creating a Virtual Set Part 1 (16 min)

Creating a Virtual Set Part 2 (21 min)

Creating a Virtual Set Part 3 (13 min)

Video Tutorial: Prepping Illustrator Files for 3D

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Having trouble turning your Illustrator logos into 3D models? Watch this comprehensive tutorial and learn how to turn your vector logos into professional, billable 3D works of art.

Topics discussed:

• Determining which Illustrator vector paths you need to keep in order to create a well made 3D object.

• Organizing paths into layers, and how to move vector paths between layers.

• Why you would leave some paths grouped and some paths ungrouped.

• Cleaning up Clipping Masks, and cropping the shapes correctly with the Pathfinder tools.

• Saving the Illustrator file and importing it into ProAnimator.

• Creating and assigning Materials, and applying multiple materials to a single object in ProAnimator.


Click on the image above, or the link below to watch the video tutorial.

Click to watch the Illustrator Tutorial

Cagan Yuksel Wins Four Telly Awards

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

On June 2010, Cagan Yuksel was honored with two Silver and two Bronze Telly Awards. The Telly awards honor the very best in television, film and web creativity. There are more than 13,000 submissions each year with a Silver award being the highest honor. Cagan won Silver for Art Direction, in his work for comedian Russell Brand and for the New York Turkish Film Festival.

The Bronzes were for use of Graphics and Visual Effects. Cagan happily related to us that major elements in his work were the 3D graphics created with his Zaxwerks 3D Invigorator Pro.

Click to watch Cagan Yuksel’s award winning animations.

Steve Holmes Helps USA Cycling on Tour De France

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Steve Holmes is the creative director of the award-winning Energi Design. Originally founded in London, the company now resides in San Francisco. Steve’s work is highly regarded in the design industry both in Europe and the US. Energi Design’s clients include Virgin Atlantic, Nike, Adobe, Apple, Cadbury’s, Artbeats and Sotheby’s Real Estate among others.

Back in 2000 Steve had the chance to meet Zax at the National Association of Broadcasters conference. “I had been using Zaxwerks for several years by then so it was fun to meet the man behind the software.”

“Zaxwerks products give us perfect results, while not having to leave AE or learn a serious 3D program. We own Modo and Cinema 4D but never use them for motion graphics. 3D Invigorator has helped us achieve visual effects and motion work in After Effects, which would have been impossible due to the limitations of After Effects itself. The 3D Invigorator being tied into the AE camera is one of the best things in the world!”

Just last year Steve took on a new challenge, an HD challenge. “We jumped at the chance to do an HD commercial,” says Homes. “The client, USA Cycling, was in need of 3D animation for their end title. Both speed and quality were of the utmost importance. The logo includes a flag which we needed to animate in a realistic fashion. There’s also a 3D build-on of their wheel logo.”

USA Cycling has a program which places elite cyclists in Europe to develop them for a career in professional cycling. The organization also funds amateur racing in the US. “The commercials were a call for donations and support to the organization,” said Holmes. “Cycling is not government-funded like it is in many European countries where it’s the national sport. I’m from Europe and can appreciate this wonderful thing!”

The commercials were aired daily on Versus HD during the live broadcast of the Tour de France.

Steve has become a huge fan of some of the features in Zaxwerks Products.

“The beveling on the 3D Invigorator, as well as the reflection mapping for the metallic effects, those features alone are worth every penny! In terms of speed the construction and animation of the 3D elements is straight forward, and the live previews of the flag animation within the software helped tremendously. 3D Flag was incredibly handy.”

Holmes sums up his experiences this way. “The products just work. They are fast, fluid, and easy to use and not cluttered or complicated like other programs. The fact they slot right into our After Effects workflow is a huge deciding factor. We get complicated projects completed on time, on budget, and to the highest HD quality. What more of an effect could we wish for? We rely on Zaxwerks!”

To see more of Steve’s work go to www.clickenergi.com

Creating Unique Structures with the 3D Invigorator

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

In this tutorial, Joe Mason shows you how to create the unique structural look you often see in high impact broadcast graphics. Joe shows you from start to finish just how easy it is to make everything look great. He works in 3D Invigorator but the techniques apply to ProAnimator too. You won’t believe how simple it is to make high quality production graphics.

Topics discussed:

• Illustrator shape setup

• Customizing depth, bevel and edge offset settings in 3D Invigorator.

• Creating materials with different wireframe and reflectivity maps.

• Setting up splits in the Edge Profile editor.

• Alternating materials for each profile split.


Click on the image above, or the link below to watch the video tutorial.

Click to watch Joe Mason’s tutorial!

Working with Shadows Tutorial

Friday, April 9th, 2010

In this tutorial, we’re going to go over all the details of working with shadows. If you ever wondered about how to get shadows to work with your 3D objects, what settings to use, or how to speed up your projects, you’ll want to watch this video tutorial and find out!

Topics discussed:

• Creating a floor to set up the shadows in 3D Serpentine, 3D Warps, and 3D Invigorator.

• Creating a Light, and positioning it correctly.

• Working with Light Intensity, Shadow Darkness, and Shadow Diffusion.

• Setting up the Shadow Quality and Shadow Catcher.

• Optimizing the setup in After Effects for faster previews.

• Setting up lights in 3D Invigorator and working with Shadow Catcher materials.


Click on the image above, or the link below to watch the video tutorial.

Click to watch the Working with Shadows Tutorial

Advanced Control of Invigorator Pro: Part Two

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

In this tutorial, Serge Hamad covers how to use the primitives from 3D Invigorator and the depth control to create an interesting city scape animation where the buildings expand. Serge goes over how pivot points are created, and how to precisely control your pivot points to work with your animation.

Topics discussed:

• Learn about the center of a set.

• Setting up multiple cubes and positioning them for the city scape.

• Setting up different buildings to different sets.

• Adjusting the depth scale, and keyframing them for the animation.

• Setting the depth, and repositioning the pivot points.


Click on the image above, or the link below to watch the video tutorial.

Advanced Control of Invigorator Pro: Part Two