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Swift 3D 2.0, accompanying Web site launched

By Dennis Sellers
Macworld OCT 8, 2001 5:00 pm PDT

Swift 3D 2.0 and its accompanying Web site have been launched by Electric Rain.

Swift 3D is a standalone vector graphics program that lets designers create 3D content for use with vector authoring tools such as Macromedia Flash and Adobe LiveMotion. Swift 3D is not just a file and model converter; it’s a 3D application for creating, editing and animating 3D images. These images can be created from fonts and basic 3D primitives within Swift 3D or imported from other popular applications like 3D Studio, Adobe Illustrator or any program that exports Encapsulated PostScript files (EPS).

Version 2 includes many new modeling tools including extrusion and lathe editors; PostScript font support; targeted cameras and lights; extended primitive selection; automated timeline scaling; non-uniform scaling of objects; numerical positioning of objects; and the ability to animate materials. Swift 3D 2 is powered by the RAViX II rendering engine, which purportedly provides the following rendering capabilities:

  • Two, four and full color cartoon fills that extend the list of shading options;
  • Shadow rendering that allows for self, plane and object shadow casting;
  • Specular highlights that add realism to cartoon fills and gradients;
  • Line weight, color and detail settings for full control over wireframe output;
  • A speed boost of up to 50 times faster rendering while handling 250,000-plus polygon models;
  • A previewing system to view and edit rendered scenes before writing a file.

    • Swift 3D 2 is available immediately on the Windows and Mac platforms. The suggested retail price is US$159. It’s currently available from the Electric Rain Web site. Meanwhile, the new Swift3D.com is an Internet site dedicated to the Swift 3D product line.

    “The site showcases Swift products abilities to produce striking 3D Flash,” Ed Wunsch, Swift 3D product manager, told MacCentral. “It also serves as a noteworthy example of how to incorporate 3D design and elements into a commercial Web site.”

    The downloadable version of Swift 3D v2.0 is now available. The boxed copy of Swift 3D 2.0 has a planned release date of Oct. 22.