Computer Arts (April 2004)

91 Pages·2004·8.959 MB·English

P
HO O 3
TOSF 0 OV
FIGURE DESIGN HOT P E
P• PUTAR
IN ILLUSTRATOR O G
SEO E
How to transform sketches R• 3DSR IAS
into superb vector images MAX LS
&
FLASH PORTFOLIOS MO
R
E
Turn illustrations into Websites
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HOW TO !Design a Website !Create stunning illustration
! Retouch your photos ! Design a stylish font
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INTRO
T he cursed month of January is Basicscan be used for professional 3D
long gone, but budgets remain illustration (our profilee Futurefarmers
tight everywhere, which is why stands testament to this); TypeTool
we’ve decided to find those can help you design great fonts; and
talented designers who are creating great WebDesignget you on your way to
work in budget applications. Using creating interactive Web pages. We also
programs that start as low as £16.74, we provide the full versions or demos of
go about producing Websites, designing many of these packages on our coverdisc.
fonts, retouching photos and creating There’s still plenty of content for those
illustrations. Experimenting with different rich in software. We look at how XPress
software isn’t just good for relations with andInDesigndiffer and show migrating
your bank manager; it can also push you designers the key differences, plus we
EXPERIMENTING WITH into trying new effects, enhancing your look at using PhotoshopandPoserto
DIFFERENT SOFTWARE portfolio in the process. create graphic novel artwork, turn photos
ISN’T JUST GOOD FOR Clearly, everyone wants to show that into vector images in Illustrator, and show
they’ve mastered the software greats – you how to turn your illustrations into a
RELATIONS WITH YOUR
Photoshop, Flash, Illustrator, Maya, Website in FlashandDreamweaver.
BANK MANAGER… Painteramong many others, but these Turn over for the full listing. You’ll find
packages alone total over £3000. Not such inspiration, news, reviews and fantastic
an easy choice for the home designer or imagery throughout this issue. And those
small studio. So when the penalties of who like the idea of spending a year on a
piracy are high, why not try cheaper $26,000 interactive design course – for
software? After all, 99 per cent of artists free – should turn straight to page 20.
and designers that have been interviewed Don’t forget to let us know what you think
inComputer Arts will testify that it’s the by emailing [email protected]
ILLUSTRATORS
talent, not the tools, that are important.
Starting on page 22, you’ll find out VICKI ATKINSON
howPhotoshop Elementsis more than EDITOR,THE WORLD’S BEST-SELLING
We take our illustrations seriously here at Computer Arts. And we’re enough for retouching photos; Carrara CREATIVE MAGAZINE
always on the lookout for new talent – so if you’re interested in
contributing, contact [email protected]
you’ll find a list of the illustrators who helped us out this issue… COVER ILLUSTRATOR EDITORIAL
FUTUREFARMERS
Top US agency Futurefarmers reveals how to illustrate on RODDYLLEWELLYN THE CA TEAM
a budget, tells us all about its work in the six-page profile VICKI ATKINSONEDITOR
on page 34, and illustrates our Group Test on page 94. Computer Arts’ own [email protected]
www.futurefarmers.com Art Editor, Roddy RODDYLLEWELLYN ART EDITOR
Llewellyn, came up
[email protected]
NICKREDDYHOFF with the ‘budget’ ROB CARNEYDEPUTY EDITOR
With his own unique style, Reddyhoff has illustrated work design for this issue’s [email protected]
for a range of clients under the Debut Art agency. On page striking cover, created RACHEL ELLIOTTOPERATIONS EDITOR
60 he shows us how to recreate his boxy, vector styles. using stencils, hand- [email protected]
www.debutart.com drawn type and a JON ALONGICD EDITOR
scanned photo he
[email protected]
took of a building site.
BENOIT GUERVILLE JENWAGNERONLINE EDITOR
He also produced
French digital artist Guerville not only has a passion for [email protected]
the illustrations on pages 22 and 40 in InDesign
comic-book art, which is the subject of our tutorial on page
CS,to show what can be achieved with the app.
50, but is heavily involved in 3D and film-making projects. CONTACT
WithComputer Arts moving across to InDesign
www.widecinema.com Computer Arts, Future Publishing,
CSover the next few months, this gave him an
30 Monmouth Street, Bath BA1 2BW
SCOTTHANSEN opportunity to experiment with Adobe’s DTP
PHONE[phone]
You’ll see quite a few examples of vector master and giant. His verdict on our switch from XPressto
[email protected]
musician Hansen’s work this issue. He’s illustrated our InDesign? “The future of desktop publishing is
SUBSCRIPTIONS0870 444 8455
FlashandDreamweaverfeature and is profiled on page 74. looking very bright indeed.”
OVERSEASSUBS+44 870 444 8455
www.studio-output.com [email protected]
ComputerArts_April2004 3
CONTENTS
APRIL ISSUE 95
FULL LIST OF CONTENTS
NEWS FEATURES REVIEWS REGULARS
10Camera wars 22Design on a budget 77Full listing 08Your letters and opinion
12Brand new kit from Sony! 34Futurefarmers in profile 78Studio Artist 3 48Subscribe to Computer ArtsandCA
16Imagina 2004 74Scott Hansen in profile 82Daz Studio Projectsto save £71 and get a free gift!
18Guest font showcase 87Olympus E-1 66Win a Corel graphics bundle!
94Compositingapps on test 100Back issues
SHORTCUTS
108Exposure
TUTORIALS
32Photoshop 114Retrospective
40FromXPresstoInDesign 583ds max WIN
50Comic artin Photoshop 67FreeHand
60Figure design in Illustrator
68Flash portfolios £1100-WORTH
OF COREL
GRAPHICS
ON THE COVER SOFTWARE!
PAGE 66
22DESIGN ON
WEB FONT 3D WEB RETOUCH
A BUDGET
Great design isn’t all about expensive software.
Create a font, retouch a photo, render out a 3D
illustration and more – all in budget software –
with our fantastic cover feature
40FROM XPRESS
TO INDESIGN
Struggling to make the switch from XPressto
InDesign? Our in-depth guide makes the process
a whole lot easier…
50COMIC ART IN
PHOTOSHOP & POSER
22 Expert tutorial and 50 professional tips:
everything you need to know about creating
your own digital comic book
60FIGURE DESIGN
IN ILLUSTRATOR
Digital artist Nick Reddyhoff’s trademark style is
all about montage. Use this tutorial to create a
pro-quality image and try out a new style
40 60
50
Turn to page 50
for our expert
tutorial and tips Illustration by PhilBrown
on comic-book art. Turn to page 108
Have your work featured here – email
[email protected]
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
34 32
34FUTUREFARMERS
Amy Franceschini, founder of this renowned
San Francisco-based design firm, speaks out
68FLASH PORTFOLIOS
68 Create a simple Website based on an illustration:
UsingFlash,DreamweaverandFireworksyou
can produce a beautifully interactive site SUBSCRIBE TODAY
3Qu2ickS tuHtoOriaRls TonC thUe TbeSst in graphics YTAOHNEUD ’O LGLNE ELTYV A ED FRER SNEIEEG EGNDI FM!TA!G
software. This month: Photoshop,
3ds maxandFreeHand INSESVUEER– MTUISRSN A TNOO TPAHGERE 48
82EXCLUSIVE: DAZ STUDIO
82
We preview the latest 3D character tool from
Daz – is it really a serious alternative to Poser?
FULL LIST OF CD CONTENTS
FULLPROGRAM PC + MAC^
TYPETOOL 1.3
FULL APP WORTH $99Design your own fonts from scratch…
This month, we’re delighted to be able to module provides customisable auto-spacing and
offer two full FontLab apps for creating auto-kerning features.
and manipulating fonts. The first of In addition, you can import and export font
these,TypeTool 1.3, is a kind of cut-down metric files in PFM and AFM formats, as well as
version of the incredibly popular FontLab. import metrics from Mac font suitcases. Add to
This month, we’ve teamed up with leading The program enables you to create a new font this an extremely easy-to-navigate interface with
software developer FontLab to bring you or modify an existing one with easy-to-use yet drag-and-drop functionality and pop-up menus
two of its fantastic products, TypeTool powerful editing tools. Great features include and you have a truly awesome font-creation
andScanFont, dedicated font-creation tools outline editors with more than ten tools and a application at your disposal. Better still, you’re
that will help you create fantastic typefaces 200-level undo/redo function. You can import and getting it for free! See below for details on how to
quickly and easily. In addition, you’ll discover export fonts in TrueType and PostScript Type 1 obtain your serial number – and check your CD
some exclusive fonts from Cape Arcona, plus formats, too, while a metric and kerning editing inlay for system requirements.
the excellent Flash Optimizer Lite, the much
acclaimed download-streamlining app. Read on
HOW TO OBTAIN YOUR SERIAL NUMBER
for more details and let us know what you think
of the CD by emailing [email protected] TypeTool 1.3 will run in demo mode until you enter your serial
number. To obtain this, simply register your details at:
www.fontlab.com/promo/futurepub.html
CD95 CONTENTS
TYPETOOL 1.3
(PC + MAC) FULL PROGRAM MAC^
FULL PRODUCTCreate your own fonts using
SCANFONT 3.2
FontLab’s fantastic tool. To find out more, follow
our tutorial, starting on page 30
SCANFONT 3.2
(MAC)
FULL PRODUCTScan in anything and turn it into FULL APP WORTH $99Turn any image into your own font!
a Type 1 or TrueType font. Get started on page 30
Ever see a logo, old typeface in a book or screen into high-quality TrueType or PostScript
FLASH OPTIMIZER LITE image/dingbat that you wish you could fonts. Features include a high-quality fully
(PC)
use as a font? Don’t have the time to scan customisable auto-tracing algorithm (especially
FULL PRODUCTShave bytes off your SWF
it in and trace it by hand? Well, our second designed to handle characters), integrated
movies with Eltima Software’s awesome tool.
free typography tool from our friends at FontLab bitmap editor with more than 20 tools, automatic
Find out more on page 7
is the answer! ScanFont 3.2enables you to create detection of characters and strings in a source
FREE FONTS! a professional looking technically correct digital image, support for most scanners through
(PC + MAC)
font in minutes. TWAIN interface, the ability to export individual
EXCLUSIVE!We bring you four fonts from top
ScanFont 3.2combines traditional font-editing characters in EPS format, and an easy-to-use
foundry Cape Arcona (www.cape-arcona.com),
functionality with precise auto-tracing tools. The drag-and-drop interface.
and 74 free fonts from Tom 7 at www.tom7.org
latter have been specially developed to work with See below for details on obtaining your
A4DESK characters so you can transform anything you serial number – and check your CD inlay for
(PC) can print on paper or see on your computer system requirements.
FULL PRODUCTCreate great sites with these five
free templates from A4Desk. See page 7
DESIGN ON A BUDGET HOW TO OBTAIN YOUR SERIAL NUMBER
Check out our cover feature, beginning on page ScanFont 3.2will run in demo mode until you enter your serial number.
22, and fire up demos of Carrara Studio, Flix Pro, To get this, register your details at the following Website:
WildFX, WebDesignand more www.fontlab.com/promo/futurepub.html
COMBUSTION 3
(PC + MAC)
30-DAY DEMOTake Discreet’s ultra-powerful
compositor for a test-drive. More on page 94 TYPOGRAPHY SPECIAL!
TUTORIAL FILES
On sale 4 March, issue 56 of Computer Arts Projectsis dedicated to the art of
For the cover tutorial (starting on page 22), see
the Budget folder. For the Web design tutorial creating great fonts, icons and logos. Top typography talent from around the
(page 68), see the Web folder. For the InDesign globe give in-depth insights into the secrets of great font design. Packed with
tutorial (page 40) and 3ds max Shortcut (page 58), tutorials, features and more, it’s the essential guide to the art of type.
see the InDesign and 3ds max Shortcut folders
6 ComputerArts_April2004
On the CD
FULL PROGRAM PC^
FLASH OPTIMIZER LITE
FULL VERSIONCrunch your SWF files down to convenient size with this top-rated application
Everyone accepts that Flashcan help
you create stunning vector-based
animations and rich Web applications,
but sometimes, especially if you’re
designing for a non-broadband enabled
audience, it needs a little help to get that content
out there. This is where Flash Optimizer Lite – free
on your cover CD – comes in. It’s a fantastic utility
that enables you to shrink your SWF files without
damaging them. All it takes is one click and your
SWFs will be so streamlined they’ll zip through
the narrowest of pipes in no time.
Check out the company’s other tool, Flash
Optimizer Standard, for greater control over the
exact compression of your movie. For more
details, visit www.eltima.com.
HOW TO OBTAIN
YOUR SERIAL NUMBER
Registration name: Future Publishing
Registration code: C08B-9982-BDEC-4FC1-
5816-28F8-C70C-4BA
Optimising your Flashcontent is often a simple case of point and click. You’ll be surprised just how impressive the results can be.
FREE TEMPLATES PC^
A4DESK TEMPLATES
WEB RESOURCESToo busy to build and design your own Website? Then check out A4Desk!
A4Deskis a professional, Flash
template-based, all-in-one software
suite for developing Flashmenu
headers,FlashWebsites and
multimedia presentations. Its easy-to-use,
wizard-based interface will enable you to create
Flash-based sites in a matter of minutes, adding
music, animations, images and HTML.
If you’re new to Website design or
inexperienced in coding, A4Deskwill enable you
to create your own site with ease – check out
these five free templates to see what we mean.
Now there’s no excuse not to give your site the
professional sheen you’ve wanted for so long.
Simply register at the Web address below and
you’ll be given a licence key and template ID:
www.a4desk.com/futurenet-special/
Use the A4Desktemplates on your
coverdisc to create professional
lookingFlashsites more easily.
ComputerArts_April2003 7
LETTERS
HAVE YOU GOT A POINT TO MAKE ABOUT THE
MAGAZINE, A CREATIVE PRODUCT, A SHOW OR THE
INDUSTRY AT LARGE? EMAIL YOUR THOUGHTS TO
THE TEAM AT [email protected],OR JOIN
US ONLINE AT FORUM.COMPUTERARTS.CO.UK
INSPIRED for their colour calibration control and are now varying technologies, so the costs will be calculated
Just wanted to say thanks for a great magazine. looking to buy a high-quality colour laser printer to differently, but you need to know the cost per page if
Although I have been slow to start learning the output the proposals. printing between five and 10,000 copies per month.
mysteries of PhotoshopandAfter Effects, I’ve found We’re currently printed on a Minolta CF2001P, but With this sort of usage, the sellers of lasers will
much to inspire me, especially links such as the we can change the lease and upgrade to a better be more than happy to do a study for you. They may
DesignChapel Website (www.designchapel.com). Minolta or buy a printer from a completely different even give you a printer, because they could make
Sean Hogan manufacturer. We’ll be processing between five and good money from your custom. All the major colour
10,000 pages a week, and each one will be in full laser manufacturers produce good and reliable
Thanks for the feedback. Our main aim each issue colour, although the coverage will vary enormously. machines, so ask for some print samples of a typical
is to provide diverse practical advice for a wide range The budget for this printer is currently set at between print job and compare.
of graphics packages. Look out for next month’s five and $10,000. What would be our best option
massive cover feature on quick and effective in terms of quality, colour management and lower PROFILED
techniques for all your favourite graphics applications cost bulk printing? Big thanks for publishing the profile of me and my
– including PhotoshopandAfter Effects. Kjell van Zoen work in issue 90. Off the back of it, my workload has
www.dcdesign.com just exploded. That work looks old already, but still
WHAT PRINTER? brings in the commissions!
First of all, let me congratulate you on an excellent That’s an awful lot of colour copies you’re printing. John McFaul
magazine, I’ve been an avid reader for about six With volumes like these, the cost per print becomes www.mcfaul.biz
months now. I’m a graphic designer and have just critical. If you have time, it would be a good idea to
started working for a civil engineering company, approach your local HP, Lexmark and Xerox dealers to CINEMA 4D CONTINUED
setting up its design department. One of the tasks see what they can offer in competition to the Minolta I’ve just received the March issue of Computer Arts
ahead of me is to ensure that our proposals are sent CF2001P. Get them to break down the cost per print and read the letter from Mr Lewis regarding Cinema
out looking the best they can. For this purpose, we’ve for you. Remember to take into account paper, toner, 4D. I upgraded from the disc on your cover and I’m
already bought two LaCie Blue IV 22-inch monitors fuser and transfer drum costs. Different printers use just beginning to look at this amazing program,
!LETTER OF THE MONTH SHORTCUTSENSATION!
I’m sure you’ve heard a million times before how end of our run now, unfortunately, but we’ll plan
greatComputer Arts is. I wanted to say that I think another onslaught for later in the year. Until then,
your Shortcut cards are a really great idea. Whoever our sister magazine 3D World, who also liked the
came up with the concept deserves a raise or at idea, is on sale now with a massive eight Keyboard
least a free pint. I’ve collected every one so far; Shortcut cards to celebrate their 50th issue. Software
they’re so handy to have and I keep them by my PC covered includes 3ds max, Maya, LightWave,
at all times. Will we see any more in the future? Cinema 4D, BodyPaint, MOTIONBUILDER, Vue
Two more questions. First, would you consider d’EspritandSoftimage|XSI.
featuring a program called NeoBook? I’d love to To answer your other questions, NeoBookhas
see it get a mention, in the form of tips or a indeed escaped our attention, but your letter does fit
walkthrough. I’ve used it for many things, including in well with our budget theme this issue (check out
presentations of my artwork, retro gaming and our cover feature, starting on page 22). Published by
screensaver for my PC. NeoSoft (www.neosoftware.com), it costs $199.95
Second, I’m looking to set up a new portfolio site, and appears to be quite an all-rounder. We’d be
but I also want to include some free stock imagery interested to see some Websites by people who are
for download – images that I’ve taken with my working with this mysterious application – we’ve
digital camera. How do I add a file that people can never seen a piece of software which is on version 3D Worldis celebrating its 50th
anniversary with a special double-CD issue plus
click on to download, without having to put the full- 4.1.3a before… Most intriguing! eight Shortcut cards for leading 3D programs.
size picture on my Website? My pages would take The simple answer to your Website portfolio
forever to open if visitors only had a 56K modem. question is to Zip or Stuff your high-res images and
Chris Mcinerney keep them in one folder. Show a thumbnail of the
image and underneath give the user a Mac or PC option to download the image to their desktop
We’re glad you enjoyed the Shortcut cards, Chris – choice, informing them of the size of the download. immediately, where they can un-Zip or un-Stuff
and thanks for all the praise. This issue marks the If they click one of the links, they should have the the file themselves.
8 ComputerArts_April2004
NEXT MONTH IN
COMPUTER ARTS 96
KEY TECHNIQUES FOR
FIVE TOP DESIGN APPS
10 tutorials for beginners and experts alike!
Industry experts share their best and
fastest techniques for Photoshop, Illustrator,
Flash, Dreamweaver andAfter Effects
IN PROFILE
HELIOS DESIGN
LABORATORIES
having never tried 3D before. Daunting but very
exciting! The following might be of help to Mr Lewis The classy Canadians on their
and anyone else getting use to the application. design work, including some of
Visit www.maxon.net, go to the Resources tab the trendiest fashion catalogues
along the top. In the new window, scroll down to
Third Party Tutorials, click on this, then scroll down to
Tutorials for C4Dbeginners by Joel Mills. Once there, ADVANCED PHOTOSHOP
the exercises are in PDF form and there’s a folder of
Experiment with shades, passes and other exciting
examples to download for the tutorials.
These are really good and straightforward lessons, effects on your 3D models with this in-depth Photoshop
and a great way of introducing a complex subject. The tutorial. We’ll supply the model and all the hands-on
Maxon site is full of other good stuff, too – tutorials, expertise to help you create more amazing work
examples of C4Dwork, and much more.
Pete Willmin "
ON THE CD
Eight commercial fonts from leading
foundries worth £360, courtesy of
WRITEINANDWIN!! Fontworks (www.type.co.uk)
Every month, the winner of our Letter of the Month
will be sent a full copy of the KPT Collection, courtesy
of Corel. This extensive bundle of plug-ins was the
all-out winner of our Photoshopplug-ins Group Test
in issue 94 and will introduce hundreds of brand new
effects to your work, for Web, print and 3D. To find
out more about KPT, visit www.corel.com
GROUP TEST: A4 INKJET PRINTERS
A4 photo-quality inkjet printers from Epson, Canon and
Hewlett-Packard, among others, battle for supremacy
REVIEWED SOON
Director MX 2004 PuzzlePro 2.0 After Effects plug-ins Canon EOS 1D Mark II
QuarkXPress 6.1 Cinematte PREVIEW! Brand FujiFilm S3 Pro
Sonic MyDVD 3D Tiger! new design software Nikon D70
PageCurl 2.0 Xtreme Path from Adobe unveiled Epson R800
ON SALE 15 APRIL
All contents correct at time of going to press
ComputerArts_April2004 9
NEWS
Visit our massive Website for weekly
news updates and much more.
To contact our news team, email
[email protected]
www.computerarts.co.uk
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
CAMERA WARS
12
HARDWAREThe market for digital SLR cameras is
hotting up – prices are falling and quality is rising
Following the surprise launch by and RAW images make it ideal for feature is the ability to record backup
Canon of the budget EOS 300D press use, where a JPEG may be images on dual memory cards. The
camera, market leader Nikon has needed in a hurry, but higher-resolution Mark II has slots for CompactFlash and
HARDWAREExciting LCDs responded with the launch of a RAW files required for archiving. The SD media, and images can be recorded
unveiled by Sony budget SLR of its own: the Nikon D70. Nikon D70 will retail for £999 with lens on both should one fail. It should cost
Based on Nikon’s successful D100 or £799 without. £3499 without the lens.
15 camera, the 6-megapixel D70 breaks Finally, FujiFilm has announced the
the £1000 price barrier and is being PROFESSIONALKIT long-awaited successor to the F2 Pro…
marketed with the Zoom Nikkor AF-S Meanwhile, Canon has unveiled its the FinePix S3 Pro. Based around a
18-70mm lens. This offers a 35mm latest SLR: the EOS 1D Mark II. Using Nikon lens mount, the S3 features
equivalent focal length of 27-105mm. Canon’s own CMOS sensor and DIGIC FujiFilm’s own design of 6-megapixel
Unlike other budget-priced SLRs, the processor, the 8.2-megapixel camera CCD where each sensor has two parts:
D70 maintains many of the features can shoot at up to 8.5fps. Clearly one to capture highlights and the other
found on Nikon’s D100: a burst mode of designed to offer a more affordable for shadows for enhanced image
3fps, which you can sustain for 144 alternative to the flagship EOS 1Ds, this quality. Storage is via CompactFlash
SOFTWARENASA sends shots, the ability to extend the shutter new SLR will appeal to professional and xD picture cards. Four AA batteries
LightWaveto Mars
speed to 1/8000th of a second and a photographers looking for a second supply the power. Price and release
flash synch speed of 1/500th of a camera body at a competitive price. date have yet to be announced.
15
second. This places the D70 firmly in With a processing capacity of 69 Expect full reviews in future issues
the professional market. megapixels per second, the EOS 1D ofComputer Arts. Meanwhile, turn to
Other features on the D70 worth Mark II is particularly suited to sports page 87 to find out what we make of
noting include a new sensor with a and action work, where fast shutter Olympus’ latest digital SLR.
sensitivity ranging from ISO 200 to response is paramount. Start-up time is
INFOwww.canon.co.uk, www.nikon.co.uk,
1600. Simultaneous recording of JPEG just half a second, too. Another useful www.fujifilm.co.uk
OPINIONDoes good design
depend on expensive apps?
A successor to FujiFilm’s
F2 Pro, the FinePix S3 Pro
16 sports a 6-megapixel CCD.
EVENTGo behind the scenes
at Imagina 2004
Canon’s 8.2-megapixel EOS-1D Nikon’s answer to Canon’s
NMEaWrkS RWamRsIThEawRS, Vicki Atkinson, Maltaerrkn IaI:t iavne atoff othrdea EbOleS S-1LDRs. banudd gfeeet lEs OliSke 3 a0 0pDro, -tlheev eDl 7S0L lRo.oks
Mireille Frenette, Mark Sparrow
10 ComputerArts_April2004
News
SOFTWARE
The latest releases, updates
GET YOURSELF NOTICED! and software news
AWARDSAdobe is now accepting submissions for 2004’s Design Achievement Awards
ALIAS COMPETITION
Submission dates categories are also Alias has announced its first ever
have been available for group efforts: contest based around the free
announced for Print Collaboration and Personal Learning Edition of
Maya.Run in conjunction with
the 2004 Adobe Design Digital Collaboration.
HP and the Gnomon 3D school
Achievement Awards. Entries will be accepted
and teaching Website, the
The prestigious event, from 1 April to 17 May, contest is open to students,
which honours talented with judging by a panel of hobbyists and professionals.
students studying all leading industry figures Entries will be accepted until
major digital arts, carries set to take place in early 28 April, with a first prize of an
first prize awards of $5000. June. Entry forms will be HP workstation and DVD
The top three winners in available to download training pack.
each category also receive from the Adobe Website. www.alias.com/
community/contest
a choice of ten Adobe Adobe is also doing its
products, plus a trip to bit to catch digital artists
RE:VISION UPGRADES
the awards ceremony in from a younger age, with Both the AvidandDigital Fusion
San Francisco. the launch of a Digital versions of RE:Vision Effects, Inc’s
The Awards will follow Kids Club. The initiative Twixtor andReelSmart Motion Blur
a similar format to last aims to provide parents, tools have been upgraded to take
year’s highly successful teachers and children advantage of multiprocessor systems.
run, which saw more than (from nappies to school The new Mac editions of the Avid
1000 students from the uniform, we presume) plug-ins also benefit from Altivec and
G5 optimisations. ReelSmart Motion
UK, USA and Canada with digital photography
Bluris priced at $134.95. The Avid
submit entries in the and photo manipulation
version of Twixtorretails now retails
Time-based Media, Print, resources. For details on at $329.95, whileTwixtor Pro 3.0 for
Illustration, Photography all of the above, visit Digital Fusionis $495.
and Multiple Media Adobe's Website. www.revisionfx.com
categories. Two INFOwww.adobe.co.uk/education
MACROMEDIA’S ROBOHELPERS
Macromedia has released new
versions of its RoboHelpandRoboInfo
GRADUATE SHOWCASE 2004 tools.RobotHelp X5now supports
XML, PDF import/export, content
management, team authoring and
COMPETITIONGet your artwork into Computer Arts today! JavaHelp 2.0and retails for £559.
RoboInfo 5.0features new natural-
We’ve launched our call for entries to the language searching and detail
Computer Arts Graduate Showcase 2004. usage feedback report generation.
Each year, we invite final-year students at It’s priced at $799.
colleges and universities across the UK to send in www.macromedia.com
work, to be featured in an exclusive supplement,
NEWTEK GIVEAWAY
free with the July Issue of CA.
NewTek has teamed up with Realviz
Entry is simple. Featured work is grouped by college
to put together a limited-time offer
rather than individual students, and we’d love to hear for the Mac version of LightWave 7.5.
about any new courses. Ask your tutor, or any From now until 21 March, buyers will
organised student, to collate the best material receive the entire Realviz Interactive
produced by the current final-year designers, Studiosuite free. This comprises
animators and artists on your course, then send Stitcher 3.5,3D ImageModeler 3.5,
your submissions to us as carefully-labelled high- andSceneWe@ver– with a collective
resolution images, video, animations or Websites on street value of $1500.
www.newtek.com/partners/realviz
CD-ROM before the deadline. Animation and video
material will also be featured on the Computer Arts
CALLING YOUR BLUFF
coverdisc, but please provide stills for print. All entries Outerspace Software has launched
will be considered for inclusion by the Computer Arts Blufftitler, a low-cost 3D title creation
team and contributions by the ten best institutions will tool for video, photos, Web and live
be featured in detail. performance. It can produce real-time
Please email [email protected] further animations, via support for hardware
details of file formats and how to submit your work. acceleration through the DirectX9 API.
Flag ‘Graduate 2004’ as your email subject. The A trial download is available now; the
full product costs 30 euros.
deadline for entries is Friday 16 April 2004.
www.blufftitler.us
ComputerArts_April2004 11