REALLUSION iCLONE 7 NEWS, SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

 SYNAPSE CIRCUIT 

REALLUSION GENIUS

iCLONE 7 NEWS 

Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers! 

3D ANIMATION & ILLUSTRATION IS ABOUT TO GET PUMPED UP SOME MORE!

#Reallusion #iClone #iClone7 #3D #3DAnimation #Illustration #3DIllustration #CrazyTalkAnimator3


WORK IN PROGRESS

London, UK, January 26, 2017, 2D & 3D animation pioneers, Reallusion is working on the continual evolution of its renowned 3D animation application, iClone. iClone 7 will include awe-inspiring features that will empower the independent studio and individual artists! Check these amazing attributes out: an industry-standard camera system, in-depth facial animation editing, morph animation from blend shapes , and real-time facial mocap.

Can you believe it??? REAL-TIME FACIAL MOCAP!!! WOW!!! 

EXCITED
It is always exciting to learn of a new iClone version because you just know that the brainy people behind the award winning software are going to push the envelope of 3D animation that much further. What's more is that Reallusion keeps the cost of iClone within reach of just about anybody who has the vision to animate and/or create stunning graphics. Many people want to get into 3D animation and graphics but very often the software is offputting due to some of the costs involved or if it is not the costs then it is the complexity of the interface. More often than not, you find yourself having to study a great amount of tutorial material before you get to do anything! Gosh! 


The industry camera system will make it so very easy to frame the scenes in the animation - just like the professionals do! With iClone 7, you can become your own Pixar studio! 

EMOTIONAL
One of the many attributes that I appreciate about iClone is the collection of preset expressions for animating faces; it takes out a lot of the hard work in having to create animations for expressions from scratch. As stated above, there is a real-time facial motion capture that works from a webcam or even a video recording! That is simply phenomenal - especially as you know that the costs will not break the bank! 

From what I have understood, the facial real-time motion capture will be available as a plugin; but if you don't need it you always have the preset expression library. 

SEAMLESS
What will delight many serious animators out there is that iClone 7 will have extensive compatibility with leading 3D software! See image below!



Yes, you have spotted support for Unity! So, if you have ambitions to create 3D game characters iClone 7 has got it all there!

BELIEVE
Don't take my word for it! Watch it with your own eyes...



COMING SOON...
Hopefully, it won't be too long before iClone 7 is available from the Reallusion website. That's www.reallusion.com

It looks as though iClone 7 will be with us in March 2017! I hope to bring you a review very soon! In the meantime, I am going to bring you a review of another Reallusion application, CrazyTalk Animator 3! So, stay tuned!

Synapse Circuit is back, Baby!

Thank you for reading! See you again soon! 

Synapse Circuit/Blue Gene

REALLUSION 3DXCHANGE 6 SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
REALLUSION
3DXCHANGE 6
EARLY ACCESS VERSION!

Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers! How are you? As always it’s great to see you! I hope that you are taking on some tech projects and making the most of what technology has to offer!

I am in the process of getting a new PC so bear with me! More news, reviews, point of views and competitions are coming! Watch out!

#Reallusion #3DXchange6 #iClone6 #iClone6Pro

XPORT & IMPORT UNTIL
YOUR HEART IS CONTENT!
3DXchange 6 early access version is launched today; users will now be able to export content from iClone 6.

3DXchange is a robust, streamlined conversion and editing tool that connects iClone to a universe of 3D content. Users are able to import bi-ped, animated skin-bone characters and their animations for use in iClone. They can also export iClone characters and animations to external 3D applications and video game engines. Moreover, 3DXchange 6 is enhanced with an optimizes conversion program and editing environment, ensuring that you get an even faster and better user experience.

For more information: http://www.reallusion.com/iClone/3DXchange.html

The major enhancements of this version are:-

·        * Optimized conversion performance

·        * Enhanced editing environment

·        * Direct Access to Free 3D Assets in Sketchup 3D Warehouse

·        * Support External Tools in the Latest Version

Thank you so much for reading Synapse Circuit!

Expect more reviews, news, opinions, competitions and more from Synapse Circuit!

REALLUSION GAME CHARACTER ANIMATION CONTEST SYNAPSE CIRCUIT

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
NEWS: REALLUSION ANNOUNCES GAME CHARACTER ANIMATION CONTEST

TOTAL PRIZE VALUE REACHES OVER $5,000

Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers! I hope that you had a great weekend! I also hope that all well in your world and that you’re making the most of your tech!

Here’s some brilliant news if you have been looking for a cost effective way to get into 3D animation and without a media degree!

#Reallusion #iClone6 #3DAnimation

WHAT’S YOUR CHARACTER ABOUT, EH?

SHOW US YOUR GAME CHARACTER ANIMATION AND WIN OVER $5,000 IN COLD HARD CASH!

UK (April 28th, 2015) — Reallusion and Polycount announce the 2015 Game Character Animation Contest providing 3D artists, animators and game developers with a chance to animate and win from over $5,000 in cash, 3D software and 3D content prizes. Sponsored by: PolyCount, Allegorithmic, Indigo, Renderosity and DAZ3D

The contest will run from 25th April 2015 and close on 10th June 2015
                                                                                                                                                 
The contest invites one-and-all to participate with prizes offered for the following categories:

Best Character Animation - Create a 30 second animation sequence

Best One-Minute Movie - animate and render a minimum of one-minute of animation; such as an action sequence, short-narrative or your own original game trailer.

Best Use of iClone - Submissions including the use of iClone will be eligible for a special prize package.  Show how you used iClone in your PolyCount submission thread to qualify.

Reallusion is providing a free 45 days of iClone Animation Pipeline PRO for all contest entrants new to Reallusion and interested in exploring the capabilities of iClone. 



The iClone Animation Pipeline can import and export 3D models and animations for Maya, Max, Unity, Unreal, C4D, Blender and more.  iClone is a cinematic editing environment that allows scenes to come together with characters, lighting, cameras, effects and more for a streamlined animation experience to previz and produce every shot.  iClone Animation Pipeline  imports FBX, 3DS and OBJ and provides a complete character animation toolset based on HumanIK for body motion, along with full facial animation puppeteering and lip-synch tools. 

Entry Information:
In order to enter the competition, please visit the Reallusion main contest page for complete details, official rules and additional information:

http://www.reallusion.com/to/2015-contest/uk.asp

Pricing & Availability:
iClone6 is now available at Reallusion Online Store in 2 versions for Windows PC.

iClone6 Standard list price: £79.99

iClone6 PRO list price: £159.99

Great value bundle deals: starts from £119 

About Reallusion Inc
Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Reallusion is a leading-edge software developer providing cinematic animation tools for PC, Mac and mobile platforms. Reallusion’s pioneering storytelling technology excelling at character animation, facial morphing and voice lip-sync allows fast creation of interactive avatars for 3-D real-time filmmaking and previsualization for professional post-production. Their powerful yet easy-to-use tools make character animation accessible to both Mac and PC users of all skill levels. Reallusion’s development of core technologies and growing base of intellectual property firmly establish the company as power among emerging technology innovators, furthering their graphic and imaging embedded kernels to top-brand device manufacturers worldwide. http://www.reallusion.com/

Thank you so much for reading Synapse Circuit!

Expect more reviews, news, opinions, competitions and more from Synapse Circuit! 

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT MICROSOFT TALK SCRATCHING THE SURFACE

How much???? Are you nuts????

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT 

MICROSOFT TALK 1:
BELOW THE SURFACE
Goodhour, Synapse Circuit Readers! What’s happening? It’s always good to see you! Good news if you are interested into making music as I have the latest Magix Music Maker software coming soon! And if you want to create 3D animations then standby for the Synapse Circuit iClone 5 competition! Whoohoo!

What’s up with Microsoft, huh?

#Microsoft #Surface #Digitalworkshop #Reallusion #Magix #Roxio #Incomedia #Roxio #Android

OH YEAH? TAKE THIS!
Sadly, for the consumer, Microsoft and Apple have a warlike attitude towards emerging technologies such as Google for example. Apple, as we all know, has taken great strides into mobile device technology out of reinventing the MP3 player, mobile phone and tablet computer. Apple’s mobile devices have overshadowed its computers for a good while and now that mobile device windstorm has petered out the consumer can see more clearly.

For a long, long while Microsoft has been trailing behind Apple’s iPod and who can forget the Zune? Oooh, it died a death! However, if the truth be known one could get great MP3 playing devices that didn’t need the iTunes ecosystem. Because the Windows PC was and still is commonplace its users could enjoy the countless free and commercial MP3 creation software. PC users could determine the quality of the MP3 from the original recording on vinyl or CD. I know... By today’s standards a generation has spawned without the warmth of vinyl or the CD... I used to love vinyl (singles, LPs & albums) but as a collector with a small abode it became impractical. I warmed to the CD especially due to the extra information / media that could be had from a collector’s edition Enhanced CD that contained a multimedia presentation not unlike a PowerPoint presentation complete with a video or two of much loved singles, interview, etc. This got replaced by the DVD. The point I am making is that Apple and its bloody iTunes killed off the music industry. I mean... ...how bad must the industry be if you can’t even give away an album? Because Apple were great at publicity it made people want to buy into its products and right from the start I could see through it!

Microsoft felt that it had to come up with an alternative to the iPod when it was impractical due to the fact that most of us PC users were happy to go out and buy the music in a retail outlet: Virgin, Our Price Records, Tower Records and HMV! Oh, not forgetting the various independent music shops in London’s West End! We were happy to go out there buy the music, convert it to MP3 and place it on our MP3 players or the mobile phones that could handle the format. We PC users didn’t care for iTunes at all! We never needed it and still don’t! I thought the iPod was a load of crap – I still do think that! I thought the Archos media players were so much better!

Microsoft started to fall down the Apple rabbit hole.

ALONG CAME ANDROID
When the first Android handset hit the market in the form of a HTC designed flip-out QWERTY keyboard it looked very raw and most importantly it was perceived by many as a fad that wouldn’t go the distance as the iPhone was all the rage! But we all know the story of Android... As Android started to take off with the HTC Hero and the Samsung Galaxy S I started to hear rumours of Microsoft working on its own handset. Can anyone remember when it made its debut? I can’t and that’s the point with Microsoft – it can’t do anything beyond the operating system and Office!

Sadly... I say “sadly” because Microsoft didn’t take – in my opinion – enough time to study the marketplace to make educated anticipations upon where Apple would end up... Microsoft was so busy lashing out to preserve this fallacy of a technological giant when all it really did was to give the IBM compatible PC a visual user interface. Okay, I shouldn’t appear ungrateful because Windows is GREAT and it is was and still is a LIBERATOR! Without Windows we would never have gotten a myriad of wonderful software houses such as:-

Serif
Magix
Roxio
Digitalworkshop
Reallusion
Incomedia

There were many, many more but they fell by the wayside as they were not able to keep up with the innovation and take initiative in a different approach to things we do on a PC! The software houses mentioned above not only showed MAC users that great things can be achieved on the PC such as DTP via Serif PagePlus, PhotoPlus and DrawPlus; Music Composition from Magix Music Maker and Music Studio; Video Editing through Serif MoviePlus and Magix Movie Edit Pro; Web Design from Incomedia WebSite X5, Magix Web Designer and Serif WebPlus and so on! Once upon a time there was a widely held view that in order to do the above well one had to:-

A. Own a MAC.
B. Own Adobe software (for the MAC).

Sure, one could own a PC and use the same Adobe software but that was very, very costly! The aforementioned software houses have done so much to empower ordinary users with extraordinary ideas! The above software houses made and still make their products cost effective to the point of mocking Adobe and MAC users that think little of the PC and non-Adobe software. For a good, good while it was a pain in the ass to take PC produced documents to be printed at MAC based print bureaus. To be honest with you a lot of MAC based designers were too far up themselves to recognize what a PC and non-Adobe software can do! The one good thing that Adobe gave us was the PDF format which helped to take the befuddlement out of the printing game! THANK GOODNESS!!!

What Apple did for its computers was very, very, very smart! Apple recognized that PC users were benefitting from these wonderful inexpensive software and decent PC set-ups that it created cheaper MAC computers with a set of bundled software to get the user going: iWork. Adobe also recognized what was happening and released consumer versions of its professional software i.e. Photoshop Elements but what Adobe failed and still fail to understand is that its direct competition, Serif, released fully professional software that produced documents that a professional printer can understand i.e. CMYK files such as TIF, PDF and JPEG. Today, CMYK isn’t much of an issue as many print bureaus have large scale domestic printers that will do the job of producing your flyers, newsletters, etc. The big music software creators such as Cakewalk, Steinberg, etc did the same thing and produced cut down versions of their respective software titles but such efforts weren’t enough to stop Magix, Synapse Audio (Orion Studio) and lately Cockos (REAPER) from producing music composition software that delivered!

At that point Microsoft could have easily gotten into PC hardware production – especially as there quite often hardware that conflicted with the various versions of Windows. Microsoft could have standardised the PC and worked with the aforementioned software houses provide a bundle of great software to match iWork. It would have made the PC even more ubiquitous than it already is and helped to make the software houses (and products) even better known than they are today!

What did Microsoft do instead? In a nutshell they went so far up its backend that it weakened its position. What do I mean?

1. Microsoft concentrated on its Internet Explorer web browser so that it dominated the competition at the time i.e. Netscape! Not only that, Internet Explorer played by its own rules and did not adhere to the current web standards: W3C

2. Produced a potentially good WYSIWYG web design software, FrontPage. The trouble with FrontPage produced websites was that they would only look good and function with Internet Explorer. What if the user viewed the website on a MAC? How about another browser such as Netscape Navigator? DISASTER! By the time Microsoft realized the error of its ways it lost the web design software market just as fast as they started it.

What a waste! As a result I do not use Internet Explorer! Internet Explorer is the Internet equivalent of faecal matter! Microsoft continued to make the imperfect operating system releases expensive. How many times have you bought a legitimate Windows operating system and you get a message to say that what you have is an illegal copy? That’s bloody annoying! Rather than perfect releases of Windows Microsoft kept releasing product that had to be fixed by these constant Service Packs that could sometimes mess up a PC even more! Grrrrrr! What? A Windows phone??? £*@% OFF!!! That’s how I feel about anything Windows and that’s Microsoft’s doing!



Above: As you can see, Windows Phone 8. Below: The screenshot of an Android handset using a Windows style launcher. 



INSIGHT
Had Microsoft taken the time to be analytical it could have foreseen that the iPad would clash with the Macbook. What business model can survive a yearly complete hardware overhaul? This is why the MAC computer and PC aren’t going away anytime soon as much as the tech media loves to report the drop in PC sales!

Analysis would have led to the understanding that Android handsets and tablets can complement both Windows and MAC computers. The Android tablet is phenomenal not only due to its cost effectiveness but its longevity! And as I have stated before, many of the productivity applications are fully functional in its own right and / or can act as a sketchpad for PC and MAC set-ups in that one can produce Office compatible documents; MIDI for music; MP4 video and so on. I would rather take out a 7” Android tablet that can, incidentally, make and accept phone calls! Why on Earth would I want an iPad? And why on Earth would I or anyone else want a Surface tablet???

Look at how much Microsoft has lost on the ill-fated Surface Windows RT tablets; $1.2 BILLION!!!! Just how much more does Microsoft has to lose before it realizes that the Surface is not going to fly???

PRIDE BEFORE THE FALL
Because of this ‘us against them’ attitude Microsoft, like Apple, does not think of unification and harmonizing with new, exciting emerging technologies. They (Microsoft and Apple) want our custom and will – if they had their way – litigate the competition out of business. Look how that’s turned out for Apple? It is ugly for the consumer! I as a PC owner feel that my custom is unappreciated with idiotic messages informing me that my copy of Windows is illegal! A few years ago I tried to update my Windows XP Professional with a Service Pack and I got a message to say that my copy was illegal and was not able to perform the update, caught a virus in the process and lost a couple of years of work! This will be the last time I mention it but I was super-pissed off at the time! All that work lost because of Microsoft’s crappy software! And they want to move into phones and tablets without perfecting what they have???? That’s insane!

That $1.2 Billion could have easily funded Microsoft branded computers with an operating system to be proud of and a great bundle of software to get the user started. There are some amazing Windows based laptops out there with a touch screen that should have seen Microsoft invest into Android phones and tablets to compliment the Windows computer! Microsoft could have set-up a division for the creation of Android applications.

The only reason why I still use the PC is because of the amazing aforementioned software houses that produce cost effective products that deliver professional results each and every time – unlike bloody Microsoft!

Microsoft, if you are reading this please compensate me for my loss and get it together! Stop scratching the surface and embrace Android!

That’s something to think about!

THANKS FOR READING...

Please check out the Synapse Circuit site here: Synapse Circuit.com

REVIEWS & COMPETITIONS ARE COMING SOON!!! PLEASE STANDBY!!!

Yes, I am well aware that the site is due an update soon! It’s coming...

Synapse Circuit for tech news, opinions, articles, reviews and competitions. You will find interactive PDF magazines, videos and links to free legal software! Check it out at Synapse Circuit dot com

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT DAZ 3D DAZ STUDIO PRO 4.6

Above: Here's something I did in minutes!

Above: Here's the DAZ Studio Pro rendering process. Amazing, huh?

SYNAPSE CIRCUIT
ANIMATION SPECIAL PART THREE: DAZ 3D DAZ STUDIO PRO 4.6
32 & 64-bit

PRICE: FREE
#DAZ3D #DAZStudioPro4point6 #FreeSoftware #3DAnimation #3DGraphics

Good evening, Synapse Circuit Readers. How’s it going? I hope that you are well and that you are on the up and up! Positive thinking equals positive actions!

Seemingly random health tip: Check your blood for vitamin D deficiency!

Yes, the Synapse Circuit Animation Special is taking flight! A few days ago I had the pleasure of reviewing the fantastic Poser Pro 2014 by Smith Micro and before that I reviewed the amazing CrazyTalk Animatior 2 Pipeline software. Now I am bringing you a review of DAZ Studio Pro 4.6 from DAZ 3D! What’s more is that it’s free! YAY!!

INTRODUCTION
DAZ stands for Digital Art Zone – it took me how long before I learned that??? Lol! Well, now you know if you didn’t before! It’s bizarre... Many, many Moons ago I got an earlier version of the software on a magazine cover; I tried it and I did not like it. Again, I can be quite impatient with software – if I can’t understand it within an hour of constant use then I give up! How wrong was I? VERY!

Another problem I had and still have with DAZ Studio Pro is that it is fussy when it comes to graphic cards. Fortunately I have another system to use that features a better graphics card! Let the review commence! 

THE DAZ STUDIO PRO 4.6 INTERFACE
I appreciate the DAZ Studio environment a lot! I find it modern, easy going on the eye and very well executed. If you are a beginner you will appreciate the great tutorial material available that allows you to make the most of the program. And like the Poser Pro interface you can drag palettes to suit. Oh, I should tell you that DAZ Studio Pro 4.6 is very similar to Poser Pro 2014 but I have to say that I do prefer the DAZ Studio Pro 4.6 interface. It is perfect for beginners whereas Poser Pro 2014 appears to be aimed at intermediate to advanced artists – this is not to say that a beginner can’t get to learn it but because DAZ Studio Pro 4.6 is free it makes it easier for the beginner to explore. The main part of the interface is compartmentalized for convenience and expedience. 

Again, still waxing on the similarities with Poser Pro 2014, DAZ Studio Pro 4.6 operates by encouraging users to purchase models, props, scenes, textures, etc through its interface. By the looks of things I would recommend that you opt to make a subscription:

The Platinum Club

$24 – for 3 months.
$70 – gets you an annual subscription.

The advantage of the Platinum Club is that you can get great discounts on additional materials. It is a great system; it looks very, very inexpensive indeed.

Going back to the interface... I found it to be very intuitive even though it can get quite complex.


TUTORIALS
There is a great tutorial to get one started whereby you recreate a still graphic called ‘Fiery Genesis’ which was remarkably easy to achieve.

When the program is launched there is an option to start with tutorial material.

Having looked – albeit briefly – at other tutorials I can see that they are just as easy to follow! I feel very, very confident that I will be able to get to grips with DAZ Studio Pro 4.6 very quickly!



CONTENT
Again, in comparison to Poser Pro 2014, there are a lot of content to get you going with DAZ Studio Pro. What I have noticed is that the model, Genesis 2, looks pretty much of a high quality compared to Poser Pro 2014. With Poser Pro it is the rendering that determines the quality. But the model appears to be already rendered in a high quality within the pre-rendered interface.

Another thing to take into consideration is that the models are not anatomically correct. This may prove to be a crucial factor for natural artists. I can understand DAZ’s decision to not include such materials as I would imagine that minors are able to download this software for free but it’s what we are born with and in this day and age there shouldn’t be a fuss about genitalia. If anything there should be an option to have more detailed models through an age verification system that requires a credit card. I do believe that it is possible to use anatomically correct textures via third party developers if this is of an importance to you. However, the range of detailed textures via the DAZ 3D site is astounding!

Oh, if you happen to have Reallusion’s iClone 5 you can import DAZ Studio 4.6 models and animate them! WOW! Watch out for my coverage of iClone 6 – it promises to be a mega update! I can hardly wait! From what I have heard and what I know about Reallusion you will NOT be disappointed!



GENERATE SCENES
There are some scenes included and DAZ Studio Pro 4.6 has come scene generating capabilities too! And once again you download so many scenes to suit – for a small fee! You can get some free content too.

What I appreciate about DSPro 4.6 is that it is pretty fast with fairly complex 3D backgrounds / scenes.

ANIMATION
There are some predefined animations that can be dropped onto the actor and it is that simple – very much the same as Poser Pro 2014, iClone 5 and CrazyTalk Animator 2.

You can also purchase animations through the online DAZ 3D store.

RENDERED EVEN MORE SPEECHLESS
I have to say that I was very, very impressed with DAZ Studio Pro 4.6! The models looks great, the scenes are awesome and there is so much more to the software that I could write a lot more but time eludes me as always!

DAZ Studio Pro 4.6 is fast – so much so that it feels like I am working in a photo editing / manipulation program! There again you will need a decent system to get the most out of it – something like a game or video editing rig!

CONCLUSION
Yes, DAZ Studio Pro 4.6 is a great 3D animation / graphic software that is compatible with Poser Pro 2014 and iClone. What’s more amazing is that it is FREE!!!!

The interface is perfect for the beginner! What are you waiting for? Go get it!

SCORE: DOUBLE PLATINUM

STOP THE PRESS!!!!

WIN! WIN! WIN!

Win a copy of CrazyTalk Animator 2!

We have 5 CrazyTalk Animator 2 PRO copies for the top prize!
And we have 5 CrazyTalk Animator 2 Standard copies for five runner ups!

Wanna enter? Great! Just answer the following questions:

A. Name 3 characters in the animated series Futurama. Can you?

B. Can you name the software house behind CrazyTalk, iClone and FaceFilter?

C. Can you name the voice actor behind SpongeBob SquarePants?

Do you know the answers? Great! Send them to: competition @ synapse.circuit.gmail.com

Rules:

Winner is chosen at random.
One entry per person.
Your information will not be shared with any other party or parties.

Competition closes: 30 June 2014
Winner announced: 7 July 2014

You have enough time to find out the answers!

THANKS FOR READING...
Please check out the Synapse Circuit site here: Synapse Circuit.com

Yes, I am well aware that the site is due an update soon! It’s coming...

Synapse Circuit for tech news, opinions, articles, reviews and competitions. You will find interactive PDF magazines, videos and links to free legal software! Check it out at Synapse Circuit dot com