Architosh Staff ([email protected])

15 August 2003

 

TidBits: Mac 3D news - Sony, Maxon, Luminetik, MacDraft and Apple items

The Macintosh 3D Story Keeps Getting Better and Better...

First up Mac OS X software developer Maxon of Germany has released BodyPaint 3D Release 2 and has done some development work with Sony's ImageWorks. In a press release, Maxon says Sony ImageWorks has chosen BodyPaint 3D for integration into their production pipeline.

"The Maxon team has been very receptive and responsive to our needs and suggestions. This kind of collaboration is necessary to ensure that the quality and complexity of imagery for which Imageworks is known is always apparent on the screen," said Ren� Limberger, Senior Technical Director at Imageworks.

Electric Rain's Swift 3D has been updated to version 3.0 and is now Mac OS X compatible. The program is used to export 3D animations to Macromedia's Flash (SWF) format as well as other vector and raster formats. The Mac OS X version offers faster rendering and enhanced workflow, according to Electric Rain. The suggested MRP is $169US. To learn more visit Electric Rain online at: www.erain.com

Luminetik

Architosh Firm Profile 3D studio, Luminetik, was on "E" tv a few weeks ago regarding a new film project they are working on. Of course it's animated, of course it is prominently made on a 3D pipeline that features Macintosh technology. And -- get this, we understand that Apple may be providing some level of technical support.

Luminetik has been kind to share with us some tidbits -- including images of their lead character (heart beat, heart beat, heart beat!!) -- all of which are under embargo for now. We understand that as the production moves along Luminetik has chosen Architosh for an exclusive sneak peak! And we can honestly say we are thrilled about that! Very thrilled. Luminetik is based in the Big Apple (true Silicon Alley firm) and hopefully the massive power outage that struck the eastern US yesterday didn't cause too much delay! We'll keep you posted as we learn more.

MacDraft Updated

Microspot Ltd, of the United Kingdom, has announced the upcoming release of its Mac OS X optimized CAD application, MacDraft 5.5. MacDraft is a powerful 2D design, drafting and technical illustration application that is affordable and designed for users of all levels. New features include improved Quartz Graphics -- improving line and fill quality -- as well as adjustable transparency for lines, fills, double line fills, text and bitmaps. In the buildup to the release of MacDraft 5.5 Microspot is offering MacDraft 5.1 at a special discounted price of 203.15 sterling pounds/ 292.40 euros or / $296.65US dollars. These users will be able to obtain version 5.5 for free when it comes out.

Architosh Analysis: Just to point out to readers, this is a very good discount, as the full application traditionally has cost approximately $500US. It is great to see Microspot Ltd. offer this program at this price point. The company has added competition from ilexsoft with its HighDesign.

G5 News

City Mac of Saint Louis (MO) will be hosting a premier of Apple's new Power Mac G5s on Wednesday, August 20th, 2003. They day may time in with the actual first shipment of Apple's G5 Macintoshes. Apple has promised delivery of shipping Power Mac G5's by August and the 20th would make a good date.

In other G5 related news, sources close to both the engineering and manufacturing of IBM's new PowerPC 970 have written to us stating that IBM is working overtime at its new 300-mm chip facility in Fishkill, New York, in order to meet unexpected high demand for the Power Mac G5 -- especially the highend dual 2.0Ghz model. This jives with what we have heard from our dedicated Architosh MacMall sales agent who says more than half of all orders for the Power Mac G5 are for the dual processor model. For those that don't know, if you read Architosh, you can obtain an additional 2 percent discount from MacMall by just calling our dedicated agent.

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