Features
Capabilities
ComplxMinds Review

The below listed is for Strata 3.5, so be sure to checkout the latest review of Strata CX 5 which is available online in pdf format (2.19 mb) here

Introducing Strata 3D CX version 3.5

We can say one thing about the latest version of Strata 3D CX...version 3.5 is nothing compared to what the capabilities are today...Strata has done a remarkable improvement over the years and are expected to become a great competitor in computer graphics (CG) related design and animations. Strata 3D CX is the most remarkable 3D rendering software ever encountered by ComplxMinds. Strata 3D CX is perhaps the most technically enhanced, graphic, and easiest program that I have had the privilege of using. Plus, with the downloadable options from Strata, this is probably the best graphic software on the market today. ComplxMinds has been priveledged enough to watch Strata progress over the years in their product development starting from version 3.5 and now today with the latest in Strata 3D CX, we are more than happy to bring you the latest updated review.

Orientation: Strata 3D CX is the latest in 3-Dimensional technology and software. Its innovative means of manipulation and navigational ease bring rich media and computer graphics to your fingertips in a matter of seconds. Strata 3D CX comes with so many pre-installed models, features and textures that a novice CG artist will be rendering professional looking images in no time. This doesn't come from somebody who has been watching Strata for a long time now, but from someone who has experienced countless styles of CG software and interfaces.

IMPORTANT NOTE OF INTEREST

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Navigations: Let's start out with some of the more basic settings in Strata 3D CX, the overall layout. The navigations are self-explanatory and there really isn't a need to begin looking in the manual to figure out what they mean. This is an important feature for someone who wants to "jump" in to CG right away without needing a degree in computer animations.

Initial Impression: Strata's initial active screen sets the mood for any user to begin vector imaging or 3D graphic creation. The initial view is set with an isometric view using a gridded base for navigational guides. These guides assist the user in aligning any image imported or created within the Strata environment. This is extremely helpful when you begin larger, more complex, environments with numerous objects. This assists the artists in keeping "depth perception". When working with numerous objects, especially in 3D, it becomes harder to remember basic artist rules. The more complex the images, the easier it is to loose depth perception. This grid is especially helpful being isometric. Plus, other camera views are available as well. Left, Right, Front and Back. While using this software program, I can guarantee that you will end up using each of these camera views.

As you can see here on the left, your tools seem pretty simple. Don't let the appearance fool you though. Every computer generated model or animation must start with the basics. These are your ovals, blocks, etc. and Strata puts them right up front for ease of use. Strata comes with loads of pre-installed features with their program ranging from textures, objects, special effects and background textures. Strata software comes with approximately 15 or so effects within the software, each manipulative. These effects range from implementing hair, to fog, pixie dust, fire and smoke. And that is just a few of the many available. The latest upgrade even comes with pre-installed MOCAP models for animation purposes. This was a superior improvement in Strata's software making them one of the leading programs in CG and animations as you import and export in MOCAP formats. Flash and Vector images continue to be a rave in web design and Strata covered that perfectly. Already supporting web design in previous versions, this new update further enhanced their capability and has now set a new standard in web graphic development.

Modeling

Using the bezier pen tool, we are going to create a shape. Just a shape with nothing special in mind. Just something to use for creating and expanding on some of Strata 3D CX tools. Click here for the initial bezier pen object I created. Then using the lathe tool, I rotated the bezier point 360 degrees in order to make a full model. This is done easily by selecting points and rotating the "mirrored" bezier line where it needs to be placed. Switching back and forth between bezier lines and your polygon model is rather easy by a click of the button. Switching back and forth allows for further manipulation for smoothing out the overall appearance of your model by adding points and angles. Here you can see where I added some angle restraints and points in my bezier drawing to further enhance the shape by editing.

By selecting the model / convert from the drop down menu, you can convert the bezier to a polygon model (seen here). By converting to a polygon model, this allows you more detail in your modeling techniques and adding a "personality" to the model simply by switching to the editing function. By doing this you select individual polygons faces or lines and construct your model. Three VERY SMALL icons in the navigation bar allows you to choose your selection such as the vertex, edge or face commands lines.

You can also continue to edit your model via the Strata extension tools. These tools offer a variety of different functions depending on what you are modeling/animating. If the function does not apply to the model, the icon is greyed out. If it does, you will notice it as being active. You can create great detail simply by using the union, subtract and cut commands. Just to give you an idea of how nice it is using these features, here is an example of how Strata's extensions make your modeling techniques much easier. This is important to know as you continue to detail your models.

Texturing: Texturing your models are a breeze with Strata 3D CX. One of the best features the program has to offer is multi-layering textures. Simply by adjusting how you want your texture displayed can create quite a significant difference in your overall appearance. You will see more examples of this in the environmental section of the review. Real quick, let's have a look at some of the texturing features that comes with Strata 3D CX and how you can use / manipulate them. We already discussed the vast amount of textures that comes pre-installed in Strata 3D CX, and you can install more via Strata's online forums, but we are now going to have a look at how you can implement them and how you can also create/modify them. At the bottom texture window, you may have noticed a "New" icon on the left side. Clicking on this brings up a set of features where you can create your very own style of texturing. Finally, as you now have your mult-layering options, you may notice that it doesn't quite fit or blend together as much as you would like it to. Here is where the additional options for texturing comes in. There are two more ways that you can do this. Using a quick model by FXR Soft Creature Creater Pro (seperate ComplxMinds review, see bottom of page), I imported a 3DS file into Strata 3D CX (one of the many formats for import). First, you can position and scale your texture to fit your model. By clicking on the "position" tab under your model properties, a new window appearance will show up with the current position of your texture. Simply by moving it up, down, left or right, the texture moves (in real-time) to adapt to the model. Once you have set your texture the way you want it, you can use the "Burn UV" command located in the extension window under the "Commands" function.

Once you choose which style of texturing you want, you will be prompted by a new window for creating your texture. This window is also used for editing the pre-installed textures to give you more versatility with your models. You can also multi-layer your textures on the model by combining, multiplying, replacing and using the inherit command functions. Simply by replacing and editing these features will create signifant differences in your models even though you are still using the same textures. As you can see in this image the same two textures were used for all four of the balls indicated. Simply by editing the texture mapping significantly different models were created. Now just imagine a more complex model using this technique. This method can increase your productivity simply by applying different texture styling without the need to reconstruct new models.

Lighting and Environments: Along with basic lighting features, you can also create enhanced functions by using Strata's HDRA and hi-res rendering techniques. By adding just a couple of environmental controls, you can create very graphic representations in a matter of seconds. In this particular image I used a "chrome horizon" reflective material for the environmental reflection and the "chromey" texture on the model. Now simply by adjusting some of the controls and how the textures are combined or replaced, you can create an entirely new style of layout.

Animation: Now, we talked about the basic modeling features, let's have a look at some of the more

advanced features that Strata 3D CX has to offer. The first thing we need to do is pull up the project window. As we begin animation properties to our model, this allows us more in-depth viewing of timeframes and animation allocations. We begin implementing the bone structure first by switching to "toon viewing" for easier bone structuring allows just enough model detail without cluttering your model with normal textures. This is another nice feature Strata 3D CX offers. Along with simple viewing you can also export in toon fashion allowing for excellent renditions on brochures or professional documents. We then begin to implement the bone structure and creating the constraints. This window shows how you can move and constrain you bone structures. Bone structuring is used to create a skeleton of our model. Bones with proper IK features will maintain constraints in our model to properly animate our models without messing up the mesh. You may have noticed in animated features where an arm or leg that is bent too far creates a crease. Using proper bone definition and restraints will prevent this and allow easier movement during animation sequences. Bone structuring is the MOST IMPORTANT aspect in animations. As you pull one bone, it creates actions on all bones. Moving the arm to the left would require the "backbone" to bend and so forth. This review isn't going to go completely into the animation aspects, but at least you know it is there.

In my opinion if you are a professional, novice or just interested in the possibilities of 3D art, graphics and/or engineering I highly recommend purchasing Strata 3D CX. I haven't seen another program on the market today that has the capabilities that Strata has and with all the additional features from importing and exporting Strata is a leading contender for animators and modelers out there, be it professional or hobbiests.

Strata 3D CX is highly recommended and shall receive a score of 5 of 5 available.

For more information about Strata 3D CX be sure to stop by these pages: Features | Capabilities

To see the Creature Creater Review mentioned above go here.

Speed and versatility: There was no question on the speed and capability of the software.

Modeling Capability: Meets and exceeds standard guidelines for modeling techniques.

Import / Export Functionality: Improved import/export. Imports MOCAP and FBX. Does not export FBX or 3DS.

Rendering: No question about it. Rendering options are unprecidented and exceeded all expectations.

Overall Appearance: Beautiful layout and functionality.

This literature is the property of ComplxMinds, Where Great Minds Come to Converse and may be distributed freely as long as the due respect is given as such.

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