Quad Modeling have been introduced into Strata 3D CX v5.0 making the leap from triangular-based meshes to Quad-based meshes. The Quad surfaces use the Catmull-Clark algorithm for subdivision; this helps when building symmetrical items and adds compatibility with other 3D applications. This also helps in approximating a curved surface by breaking the polygons into smaller and smaller faces.
Another powerful feature is the ability to animate almost anything within Strata 3D CX v5.0. This again goes back to the Lua scripting. By using Groups, Shapes, Joints and Bones you can set up animation hierarchies for complex sequences. By taking a simple approach; using keyframes, timelines and scripting, it makes animation much easier to use.
Finally, what is probably one of the most powerful features in Strata 3D CX v5.0 has to be the new Adobe connection features. First you have the improved native Photoshop file import for linked 3D textures and the improved native Illustrator import for creating 3D objects. Next you have the Filter FX where Photoshop like filters are applied to any object or scene based on things like position, light color, light distance etc. You can add multiple effects or even animate the effects.
Lastly, Render to Layers is where each image component is rendered out as a separate layer into a native Photoshop .PSD file so that you can now take each layer and work them separately from within Photoshop. You can even use the mask and Selection Layers to create new effects. What's even better, any changes made in Photoshop are updated in the 3D model automatically. There are also additions such as the History palette, multiple un-dos and the ability to dock palettes. One thing to note, not everything is un-doable.
Strata 3D CX v5.0 comes complete with both a users manual (322 pages) and a reference manual (54 pages). To get you up and running, the first chapter of the user's manual shows you how to walk through generating a basic image. By using a 2D slice of apple from an Illustrator file, you see how to import the file, run it through the lathe tool to generate the apple. You then link a Photoshop layer file to the texture, set up the lighting and render and save the image to a .PSD file. Very simple; of course you will be wanting to do things like the following picture which may prove a little more time consuming. (Image by Ronald Texier)
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1 - Ichank Ijo
Yes, Strata 3D CX 5.0 is powerful 3D images creator. It is the latest version of Strata 3D's for modeling, animating, visualizing,and now scripting. The minimum Windows system requirements are Windows XP/2000 SP 4, a Pentium-compatible, at least 256MB RAM, 330MB HD space and a VGA display at least 1024x768 resolution. On the Macintosh, the minimum system requirements are Mac OS X 10.3+, 256MB RAM, 330MB HD and a resolutions monitor at least 1024x768. The price is $US695. More price, more features.