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Nothing Real Previews Next
Release Of Shake Compositing Software
Feature Enhancements Include New
Keying and Masking Tools
Nothing Real, a high-end compositing
software provider to the digital image creation market, announced
it is previewing upcoming technology of its Shake Version 2.1
software. The latest Shake release provides new keying and masking
tool features, along with improved control functions for greater
ease-of-use. These enhancements are designed to increase the
capability and productivity of digital compositing artists in
the feature film, broadcast, high-definition video and game
markets. Shake 2.1 will be available on the Windows NT and IRIX
platforms. Shake 2.1 is currently planned for beta release in
May 1999.
"As compositors and production
facilities migrate towards a complete digital workflow, we’re
pleased with the momentum we see building for our next-generation
Shake software product line," said Allen Edwards,
president of Nothing Real."The new feature enhancements
offered in Version 2.1 will allow Shake to be easily integrated
into single and multi-platform environments to offer increased
productivity, solid reliability and cost-efficiency."
Shake version 2.1 will provide
customers with the same core compositing capabilities as Version
2.0, with added enhancements and functionality for the most
complex motion picture and broadcast image manipulation tasks.
Introduced last December, Shake 2.0 is designed to handle the
heavy demands of film and high definition effects, and offers
the fastest software compositing solution currently available
in the industry.
Shake Version 2.1 Highlights
Feature enhancements for Shake
2.1 include:
- Spline-based shape generator:
Nothing Real provides users with a general tool for creating
shapes and animating their characteristics over time, which
can be used for quick garbage matte generation.
- Masking capabilities for every
operator: Shake now allows the user to add a mask to any node
in the compositing tree, providing a quick method to limit
the effects of any image processing operation.
- Auto-Keyframing: With the addition
of auto-keyframing, workflow is improved since animation parameters
can be modified over time without the need to interact directly
with the curve editor.
- Defocus: This operator is designed
to better mimic the optical effect that occurs when the lens
viewing a particular scene is thrown out of focus. This includes
support for highlight blooming and control over the shape
of the virtual camera's aperture.
- Z-depth blurring: This feature
allows the user to blur an image based on its Z-channel, and
includes control over the focus position and the range of
focus.
- Software Developers Toolkit:
Nothing Real provides extensive support allowing users and
third-party developers to extend Shake’s functionality
even further.
- On-Screen manipulators for image
transformations: Shake takes users a step beyond traditional
on-screen manipulators allowing them to directly manipulate
layers no matter what stage of the composite is being viewed.
The manipulators are translated in the same fashion as the
image itself, providing a more intuitive method for working
with multiple transformation hierarchies. Ease-of-use
enhancements: The Shake 2.1 package also sports a number
of ease-of-use enhancements to include cut and paste, as well
as changes to the node viewer, the file browser, and the curve
editor.
Primatte Plug-in Availability
In addition, Primatte™, a new third-party plug-in from
Photron USA, will be bundled with Shake 2.1. The powerful Primatte
keyer is directly accessible from within Shake, and can be placed
anywhere within the compositing hierarchy as a tool for matte
creation, spill suppression, or image combination.
Pricing and Availability
Beta for Shake version 2.1 is scheduled for release in May
‘99. Pricing is expected at $9,900. Additional render-only
network licenses are available at $3,900. Shake 2.1 is planned
for a June 1999 release.
About Shake
Shake is Nothing Real’s award-winning line of compositing
products. Shake is an extremely high-speed and efficient image
processing tool offering a range of 2D features for film, broadcast,
interactive games and multimedia effects applications. Shake
has been used in films such as "The Matrix," "
Pleasantville," "Prince of Egypt," "Star
Trek IX," "Titanic," "What Dreams May Come,"
and the upcoming "A Midsummer Night’s Dream."
Shake provides users with a low-cost, high performance compositing
solution without the need for specialized hardware. It is available
on both the Windows NT and IRIX platforms.
About Nothing Real
Nothing Real L.L.C, established in October 1996 by Allen Edwards
and Arnaud Hervas, is a high-end software provider of high performance
imaging tools. The company offers products for the digital image
creation market that enable entertainment creatives the ability
to easily and quickly create and manipulate high resolution
images. The company’s open system software is used primarily
for feature film, broadcast and interactive game applications.
Approximately one-third of the company’s sales are overseas
in the United Kingdom, France, and Japan. Nothing Real is headquartered
in Los Angeles.
Web Site: http://www.nothingreal.com
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