In a significant move for the compositing- community, Maxon has announced the acquisition of the Autograph team from Left Angle. As Left Angle winds down its operations, its staff, known for their expertise in modern compositing workflows, will join Maxon’s expanding family. Autograph, developed by Left Angle, was created with the vision to rethink compositing from the ground up, offering a modern toolset for motion designers and visual effects artists. The integration of Autograph’s technology and team into Maxon’s ecosystem is expected to foster innovation and development of new tools that cater to the evolving needs of artists and creators worldwide.(left-angle.com) For more information, visit Maxon’s official announcement: Maxon Welcomes Autograph Team Following Left Angle Transition.

And since we probably won’t be using the cool company name “Left Angle” anymore, here are some post which had that tag:

Autograph Starter: Free Motion Graphics Tool with a Twist

Autograph 2025: Sign Here for New Features

From the left..

The post Maxon Acquires Autograph: A New Chapter in Compositing Tools first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

In the bustling world of motion graphics and VFX compositing, Left Angle has introduced Autograph Starter, a free version of their flagship software, Autograph. Autograph Starter provides unrestricted access to all features without watermarks—until you hit the two-project limit, that is. After that, watermarks become your new collaborators.

No Strings Attached—Almost

Autograph Starter is available for commercial use, allowing users to sell their creations to clients. There’s no trial period or expiration date, so you can take your time crafting masterpieces. However, you’re limited to a maximum of two projects. To start a new one, you’ll need to overwrite an existing project. Projects created by others can be opened but not saved, ensuring you don’t get too attached to borrowed brilliance.

Feature Highlights

• Text Animation: Animate various text properties and transform text into 3D extruded meshes with a single click.
• Design Import: Import and animate SVG files from Illustrator and Figma, as well as PSD files from Affinity and Photoshop.
• Shape Animation: Create complex shape animations and convert them into 3D extruded objects effortlessly.
• Versatile Animation Toolkit: Utilize traditional keyframes, retiming curves, procedural animations, or motion paths without the need for expressions.
• Multi-Editing: Animate multiple elements simultaneously with the powerful multi-editing tool, reducing repetitive tasks.

Limitations to Keep in Mind

While Autograph Starter is generous, it has a few constraints:

• Compositions: Limited to Full HD resolution, a maximum of 30 frames per second, and a duration of 30 seconds.
• Advanced Effects: Certain modifiers, such as Vector Blur, Film Grain, UV Map Generator, Shadertoy, and Defocus, are watermarked.
• OpenFX Plug-ins: Not supported in Autograph Starter.

Seamless Integration with DaVinci Resolve

For those working with DaVinci Resolve, Autograph Starter offers integration through the Autograph Live Link (currently in beta for Windows and macOS). This feature allows users to drag and drop motion graphics animations directly into Resolve’s timeline, streamlining the editing process.

Upgrade Path

When you’re ready to break free from the two-project shackles, upgrading to Autograph Creator or Studio unlocks unlimited projects and additional features for a more professional experience.

Final Thoughts

Autograph Starter is a robust, free tool for motion graphics and VFX professionals, offering a rich feature set with manageable limitations. It’s a great way to explore Autograph’s capabilities before committing to a paid version. However, always verify any new features in your workflow to ensure they meet your project’s requirements.

The post Autograph Starter: Free Motion Graphics Tool with a Twist first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

Left Angle has released Autograph 2025.1v0, the latest iteration of its content creation and compositing software tailored for motion design and visual effects professionals. This update brings a host of new features designed to enhance usability and integration within existing production pipelines.

Revamped User Interface and Workflow Enhancements

Autograph 2025 introduces a redesigned user interface, featuring a new Inspector panel that replaces the previous Properties panel. This change aims to streamline the process of inspecting and editing parameters. Additionally, each viewer now possesses its own individual timeline, enabling simultaneous playback of separate compositions—a handy feature for comparing different segments, such as intro and outro sequences.

Advanced 3D Features: Text and Shape Extrusion

The latest version expands Autograph’s 3D capabilities by allowing extrusion of Text and Shape layers. This functionality enables users to import vector logos and convert them into 3D objects directly within the software. Moreover, new Material and Mesh layer types facilitate the creation of 3D primitives and the editing of animated materials directly on the timeline. Users can also select 3D layers in the viewport through clicking or marquee selection, enhancing the overall 3D manipulation experience.

Enhanced Interoperability: Live Link with DaVinci Resolve

Autograph 2025 includes Autograph Live Link, an experimental plugin that allows Autograph projects and templates to be used within OpenFX-compatible applications like DaVinci Resolve. Edits made in Autograph are transferred to DaVinci Resolve in real time, and composition parameters are exposed upon import, permitting direct animation within Resolve. Currently in beta, the plugin is supported on Windows and macOS platforms.

After Effects Project Importer

To facilitate smoother transitions for users migrating from Adobe After Effects, Autograph 2025 introduces an Importer capable of converting .aep projects automatically. This feature supports the import of layer animations, layer styles, text animations, shapes, and several effects. It’s important to note that conversion requires a local installation of After Effects with an active license.

New Free Edition and Adjusted Pricing

Left Angle has launched Autograph Starter, a free edition of the software that can be used on up to two projects concurrently, including for commercial work. However, compositions are limited to 1080p resolution, and certain Modifiers, such as Vector Blur and Film Grain, are watermarked. Additionally, projects created using other versions of the software are watermarked upon import and cannot be saved. The Starter edition also lacks support for OpenFX plugins.

In conjunction with the new edition, Left Angle has reduced the prices of commercial licenses. For detailed pricing information, please refer to the Left Angle website.

Considerations for Production Use

While Autograph 2025 offers a range of new features aimed at enhancing motion design and VFX workflows, it’s advisable for production artists to evaluate the software’s stability and compatibility within their specific pipelines before full-scale adoption. Testing the new functionalities on smaller projects can help determine their suitability for broader use.

For comprehensive details on Autograph 2025’s features and updates, visit the official release notes.

The post Autograph 2025: Sign Here for New Features first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.