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Strata Creative Solutions
Strata makes three of the most
powerful and easy to use applications on the planet. Creating images
and animations for the web, desktop media and video is a snap. Cross-platform,
cross-function, interoperability and synergy are waiting for you
with the Strata toolset. Create imagery easily and quickly with
this award winning application. Known for its superior image quality
and ease of use, Strata 3D has been used to create advanced 3D web
sites, print illustrations, adventure games, video, CD's and DVD's.
It's time for you to get in.
At A Glance
Designers are constantly looking for ways to add a new dimension
to their work. Strata 3D CX gives creative
professionals a way to be more competitive and innovative –
all with a tool that connects to their existing
toolset workflow.
Connected to the Designer’s
Workflow
Strata 3D CX offers many new features and benefits. Some of the
most important are in the area of
integration with existing design workflow. These include user interface
enhancements, file linking, import
and export.
Photoshop File Live Linking
New to CX is the ability to import a native Photoshop layered file
as a surface texture for 3D objects. This
important feature allows the user, for example, to apply Photoshop
based packaging art – complete with
bump maps, alpha stenciling and more – to a 3D object. If
the client wants a new design, all the user has to do
is update the Photoshop file and the Strata 3D CX file automatically
updates.
Native Illustrator CS and PDF import
Creative professionals can now directly import Illustrator .ai and
PDF files into Strata 3D CX for further
modeling. These 2D art elements can be made into 3D objects via
Lathe, Extrude, Skin, Path Extrude, Hull,
Spline Surface and Polyspline editing. This process is ideal for
creating anything from an extruded logo to
complex ribbed objects – such as the real world user example
of HO Sports converting Illustrator section
outlines into a 3D model of their new competition slalom water ski.
User Interface Standards
With a more streamlined and refined user interface, Strata 3D CX
creates a familiar working environment for
users of Adobe tools. Even users of Macromedia tools will feel at
home with the tabbed palettes, context
“Plus Menus” and standard hotkeys for moving, magnifying
and rotating views. Double-clicking is now
supported for opening and modeling of objects. In fact, this new
version of Strata 3D is so consistent with
existing tools that Photoshop users are able to be up and working
in Strata 3D CX almost immediately.
Photoshop Ready Alpha Output
Not only does Strata 3D CX support import of Photoshop files, it
has enhanced output to support saved
selections and alpha channels for Photoshop compositing. Its now
easier than ever to combine 3D artwork
with photographs, ad layouts, illustrations and original artwork.
Strata 3D Vector Illustrator and
Flash Output
Available separately, the Strata 3D Vector plug-in allows sophisticated
output of vector based line art
versions of 3D scenes. Users can save out native Illustrator and
EPS files or even save out animations in
Flash .swf format for web design projects.
Extended Power
Strata 3D CX includes many new “power-user” features
that are friendly enough for even the novice user. As
always, Strata 3D is focused on helping the professional designer
get their work done in the most efficient
way possible – with the high quality their clients demand.
Strata 3D CX sets a new standard in accessible
power.
Polyspline SDS Modeling
The all new Polyspline SDS (Subdivision Surface) modeler provides
the user with total control over 3D
surfaces. Users can start from scratch or begin with an existing
model – such as an imported object, an
extruded logo, a lathed Illustrator file or even a Bézier
spline surface. With Polysplines users
can create
objects as complex as an automobile or as simple as a cartoon character.
Meld MetaSurface Modeling
This unique modeling technology lets the user “melt together”
basic primitive and polygon objects. The user
simply positions the objects relative to one another and apply the
Meld command to create the MetaSurface
object. MetaSurfaces can be adjusted to increase or decrease the
level of influence of the melting objects.
Users can even animate the individual component objects to create
interesting melting effects.
HDRI Support
New to CX is support for High Dynamic Range Images (HDRI). HDRI’s
capture a greater range of image
exposure than is available in normal 24 and 32 bit images. HDRI’s
can be used for texture maps, lighting
gels, environmental reflections and the new Lightdome image based
lighting.
Lightdome Image Based Lighting
The ultimate in realistic lighting is to use a photograph of a real
environment to light a synthetic 3D scene.
The Lightdome image based lighting allows the user to position,
rotate and set the lighting value for HDRI
and 24 bit images to light their 3D models. Using this added lighting
technique, users can achieve realistic
surface shading, soft shadows and enhanced reflections.
FBX with Motion Capture
Kaydara’s FBX file format is quickly becoming the standard
in high-end 3D file formats. Strata’s
implementation of FBX allows the user to import in fully textured
models that can even include complete
animation information such as motion captured data. Motion capture
creates the ultimate in realistic
animation of animals and humanoids.
Pioneering Power and Ease of Use
From its early beginnings in 1989, Strata 3D has found a home with
creative professionals who need a 3D
tool that works the way they do. Other 3D tools demand the user
learn a new way of working simply because
of the added third dimension. Strata has always believed that 3D
can be done in a way that is comfortable for
designers of all stripes.
Over 500,000 Users Worldwide
Strata 3D is in the graphics toolset of over 500,000 users worldwide.
Over 150,000 users own the Pro version
of the product. More than 165,000 subscribe to Strata’s bi-monthly
“Strata Bulletin” email newsletter. Strata
3D has been translated into French, German, Chinese, Korean and
Japanese.
Versatility for Everyday Design
Over the years, Strata 3D has been used for just about every design
project imaginable. Three-dimensional
illustrations have graced The Wall Street Journal. Many adventure
games have been brought to market –
including the pioneering Myst game, which has sold over 12 million
copies worldwide. Movies have been
pre-visualized and special effects have been rendered. But most
of all, everyday design for packaging,
product, point-of-purchase, tradeshow booths, store fronts, illustration
and more have been created with this
versatile tool.
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