Aug 19 2004
Strata 3D CX
The CX stands for Connect and Extend. Not sure what that means? Well, it means that Strata’s versatile and easy-to-use 3D design application has gotten friendlier and more capable.
Strata 3D has always had a familiar interface with floating, tabbed pallets. This interface is part of what makes CX’s learning curve short. Now, 3D plays even nicer with Adobe products. CX exports Photoshop-friendly transparency, and has a new live update feature which links Photoshop textures with models.
CX hasn’t forgotten its large user base of web designers, with a new optional add-in that supports Flash and EPS vector export. Arguably the most usable and versatile 3D solution on the market, Strata 3D speaks to everyone from effects engineers to marketing designers. Strata products have made their way into new product and packaging design as well as theatrical trailers and documentaries.
CX continues the tradition of easy of use and flexibility. It strives for a more universal interface than other, more costly suites like Maya. It does trump any other solution in its price range, and has an excellent tradition of Mac support.
The downside? Documentation. I said the program is phenomenally easy to learn. This comes without the help of the manual, which is comprehensive but lacks how-to illustration and poorly documents new features like vector export.
Strata’s well-developed user community fills in some of the gaps. Still, a brief “getting started� handbook could easily replace the in-depth manual, which could be delivered electronically.
Strata’s commitment to compatibility ensures the survival of CX. While it is not intended to replace dedicated 3D compositing apps like Maya, CX is the perfect fit for just about anything else.
MSRP: $695/$349 Academic
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