Archive notice: This article was originally published on April 18, 2006. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
At NAB (product exhibition: April 24 – 28, 2006) in Las Vegas, Maxon is presenting the new Cinema 4D module MoGraph, a tool specifically for motion graphics designers. The module is intended to offer a wide range of possibilities with easy-to-use tools for creating scenes for TV, advertising, trailers or logo animations. Special object types and effectors with various interactive settings support the construction of animations.
Objects can first be cloned and arranged geometrically. The designer can then use effectors, sound, formulas or other options to automatically set these groups in motion. Extensive libraries, for example with shader-based materials and backgrounds, transitions and countdowns, as well as a 350 MByte collection of royalty-free audio loops round out the package.
According to the manufacturer, MoGraph for Cinema 4D can be easily integrated into workflows with 2D motion graphics and compositing tools such as Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Combustion, Apple Motion, Final Cut Pro and Shake as well as Eyeon Fusion.
The module requires at least Cinema 4D R9.6, which Maxon is presenting at the same time as NAB. Release 9.6 has more than 40 major and minor improvements over version 9.5. Of particular note here is OpenGL acceleration under Mac OS X: according to Maxon, especially on newer Apple systems, speed increases of 50 percent in the editor display are possible, and in individual cases even up to 150 percent. In terms of compositing, a number of functions have been added, including numerous new multipass options and a connection for eyeon Fusion. In addition, support for H.264 and MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 codecs via QuickTime is now also integrated.
MoGraph will be available from May 2006 for Windows (in 32-bit and 64-bit) as well as for Macintosh (also as a Universal Binary) and costs 379 euros including VAT. The update to Cinema 4D R9.6 is available as a free download for owners of R9.5. For the product launch, Maxon is offering a special consisting of CINEMA 4D R9.6 and the MoGraph module for 999 euros including VAT instead of the regular 1,078 euros.
Further Links:
- Cinema 4D MoGraph
