Design tool developer Strata recently unveiled Strata 3D CX, a major upgrade to their high-end image creation tool Strata 3D. The new version adds support for Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator native file formats and can link directly to original images Photoshop images so that changes made to the source are reflected in the Strata file.
In addition, Strata 3D CX features support for Kaydara FBX, for import of motion-captured 3D files, and OBJ file formats. New tools include the Polyspline SDS modeler for more realistic objects, high dynamic range image support for the most realistic textures and renders possible, and image-based lighting that brings along the native illumination when importing images from real-world environments.
Strata 3D offers an array of modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering, and animating tools designed to produce realistic 3D images and output them to a variety of media, including print, the Web, and digital video. Artists have used it to create images for 3D Web sites, print illustrations, games, CDs, DVDs, movies, and more.
System requirements for Strata 3D call for Mac OS 9.2 or higher (Mac OS X recommended) and 128MB RAM (256MB recommended). Strata did not release system requirements for Strata 3D CX, nor did it announce pricing, although anyone who orders the current version in April or May can upgrade to the new one for free when it ships in June. A shipping and handling fee will be required.