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Strata 3D CX 5.0 takes aim at designers

Wednesday 31 May 2006 - 11:20

Strata has released version 5.0 of its Strata 3D CX modelling, animation and rendering software. The upgrade adds a series of tools and enhancements to make it easier for designers to learn and use, according to the company.

Strata 3D CX 5.0 gains the ability to render out layed Photoshop files. Each element of the image exists on a separate layer - including specular highlights, reflections, scene depth, shadows and transparency. This enables users to alter these in Photoshop – for example, pumping-up specular highlights, colourizing shadows, increasing transparency, or dimming down reflectivity – or composite in 2D elements without having to render the image again.

The upgrade can output renders to the new Strata Live 3D application, which allows objects to be embedded and manipulated on Web pages, in Flash content, and in PDF files. This uses Java technology, so no proprietary plug-ins are required. Strata Live 3D can also work with models from other sources including applications such as Autodesk 3DS Max and Maya, and stock models from companies such as TurboSquid.com.

border=0 /><p>Image by Howard Prince </p></div> </p> <p> Other additions include an improved SDS Modeler, a redesigned geometry-deforming Skeleton System, and scripting through the popular Lua language – which has been used to create the Script FX and Filter FX special effects modules. New functions include the History palette, support for fully “Quad”-based polygon objects with greatly improved Boolean operations, stacking, docking and other palette management options, stopwatch based animation controls, and – with the addition of the new Greenbriar plug-ins – import of motion capture data, Poser models and morph data. </p> <p> Strata 3D CX 5.0 costs $695 (around £375), with upgrades from version CX 4.0 costing $179 (around £95) and from Strata 3Dpro costing $295 (around £150). Strata Live 3D costs $495 (around £265). It runs under Mac OS X 10.3/4 and Windows 2000/XP. </p> </div> <p><strong>Digit Staff</strong></p> <p id="articlePageList"> </p> <p><strong>Keep up-to-date with the latest creative news -- click here follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/digital_arts">@digital_arts on Twitter</a>.</strong></p> <div align="center"> <!-- begin ad tag --> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/adj/digitalartsonline.co.uk/news2;kw=;sz=250x250,300x250,336x280;ord=1283952351910?"></script> <noscript> <a href="http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/jump/digitalartsonline.co.uk/news2;kw=;sz=250x250,300x250,336x280;ord=1283952351910?"> <img src="http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/ad/digitalartsonline.co.uk/news2;kw=;sz=250x250,300x250,336x280;ord=1283952351910?" border="0" alt="" /> </a> </noscript> <!-- end ad tag --> </div> <br /> <div id="submitarticle"> <p>Submit to: <img src="http://media.digitalartsonline.co.uk/graphics/icons/digg.ico" alt="Digg"><a target="_blank" href="http://digg.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Edigitalartsonline%2Eco%2Euk%2Fnews%2Findex%2Ecfm%3Fnewsid%3D5821%26page%3D1%26pagepos%3D0">Digg</a> <img src="http://media.digitalartsonline.co.uk/graphics/icons/delicious.ico" alt="delicious"><a target="_blank" href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=5821&page=1&pagepos=0&title=Strata 3D CX 5.0 takes aim at designers&notes=Strata has released version 5.0 of its Strata 3D CX modelling, animation and rendering software. The upgrade adds a series of tools and enhancements to make it easier for designers to learn and use, according to the company.">Del.icio.us</a> <img src="http://media.digitalartsonline.co.uk/graphics/icons/reddit.ico" alt="reddit"><a target="_blank" href="http://reddit.com/submit?url=http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=5821&page=1&pagepos=0&title=Strata 3D CX 5.0 takes aim at designers">Reddit</a> </p> </div> <p class="dontPrint" align="right"><a href="/about/submiting_articles.cfm"><strong>What is this?</strong></a></p> <script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript"> <!-- function checkCommentForm(form){ var nameEl = jQuery(Submission Error:"+errorMsg); errorDivEl.show(); return false; } return true; } -->

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