Conference hydra::amiga_v1

4225.0. "Gold Disk in low-cost MAC mkt." by ASDS::WARD (Weed my tulips - (Bo) No (Knew) New Taxes) Thu Oct 25 1990 15:02

The software publisher and developer initially focused on the 
Commodore Amiga market, introducing the first desktop publishing 
program for that platform in 1986.  Gold Disk has become the largest 
worldwide publisher of Amiga software products and is recognized as 
the leader in desktop presentation in that market. 

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gold Disk Tuesday introduced an 
easy-to-use, path-based animation-software package entitled Animation 
Works for the new Apple Macintosh Classic, LC and II family of 
computers. 

This one- to eight-bit color program is a What-You-See-Is-What-
You-Get (WYSIWYG) package that allows the average Macintosh user to 
combine graphics, text and sound into stylish animations quickly and 
easily.

``Animation Works is designed to bring the advantages and fun of 
animation within reach and understanding of a new level of user by 
eliminating the lengthy learning curve typical of such products,'' 
said Kailash Ambwani, president of the Toronto-based software 
publisher.

``It gives graphic designers, creative directors, small-business 
owners, teachers and hobbyists the power of animation without making a 
massive commitment to training or expensive hardware.

``With the products currently available, a user is forced to embark 
on a lengthy training period to be proficient in developing animations. 
We took the exact opposite approach; you don't have to be a highly 
skilled technician to use Animation Works.''

Typical applications include animated storyboards, comps or 
simulations, straight animation without special effects or 
interactivity, educational and sales presentations, home-video titling 
and low-end video production.

Simple Path-based Animation


Animation Works consists of the Cel Editor, where animated 
characters (cels) may be created or edited; the Background Editor, 
where backgrounds may be worked on; and the Movie Editor, where the 
animation is combined with static or scrolling backgrounds to create 
the final ``movie.''

In the Cel Editor, a full set of drawing tools allows the user to 
edit and/or create the different cels that constitute an animated 
character. 

A unique feature is the ``onion skin'' which allows the user to 
see the previous and/or next cel while creating the current.  This is
essential for ``in-betweening'' work where the user creates frames 
intermediate to specific key frames.  Also included are tools to 
ensure that the cels remain in registration. 

The Background Editor provides a full set of paint tools to allow 
the user to create colorful backgrounds.

In the Movie Editor, the user can define the motion or movement of 
the animated objects by creating paths.  Creating paths is as simple as 
drawing a line on the screen. 

On-screen tools such as line and elliptical paths with horizontal 
or vertical accelerations help the user create smooth, realistic 
motion.  Available tools include line, ellipse, polygon, freehand and
gravity, a guide that simulates motion under gravity. 

The user has the option to define the path one frame at a time, a 
technique that may be desired when registration is critical, i.e., a 
person walking.  The user can register the motion selectively, such as 
on the heel of a foot, and control the evolution of the motion in each 
successive frame to ensure smoothness.

The user also can create an unlimited number of hierarchical paths, 
linking the movement of one object to another.  For example, in 
creating a ``movie'' of the universe, the movement of the moon can be 
tied to the rotation of the earth, which would in turn circle the sun.

Synchronized Text, Graphics and Sound


Within the Movie Editor, the user can add sound, switch between 
multiple palettes, add color cycling effects and use a large variety 
of customizable wipes when changing backgrounds.  Animation Works 
supports palettes of one to 256 colors.  The QuickText tool allows for 
adding titles and scrolling credits quickly and easily.  A segment of 
the movie may be looped any number of times.

Animated Matte Wipes

Animation Works also features customizable, animated matte wipes to 
create scenes within scenes.  This allows the user to show one movie 
through another or video through computer graphics, offering thousands 
of variations.

Compatibility


Animation Works imports standard audio files such as MacRecorder 
and SND, and PICS and PICT format graphic files.  Also included are 
XCMDs and XFCNs for use from within HyperCard.  Included with 
Animation Works is a Macintosh runtime player, requiring 50K memory,
which allows the movie to be played without requiring the main 
program. 

Length of the movie is limited only by the amount of memory 
available on the Macintosh.  A movie can be played directly from the 
program or through HyperCard.

In addition to support of the Apple Macintosh Classic, LC and 
II family of computers, the program also supports the existing Apple 
Macintosh Plus and SE hardware base. 

Suggested retail price is $199.95.  There is no licensing fee for 
distribution of the runtime versions of the movie.  Animation Works 
will begin shipping in November 1990.  Support includes unlimited 
free technical support and a videotape tutorial. 

Founded in 1986, Gold Disk is a privately held corporation with 
sales offices in Los Angeles and Dusseldorf, West Germany. 

The software publisher and developer initially focused on the 
Commodore Amiga market, introducing the first desktop publishing 
program for that platform in 1986.  Gold Disk has become the largest 
worldwide publisher of Amiga software products and is recognized as 
the leader in desktop presentation in that market. 

Animation Works is the company's first step toward introducing a 
variety of multimedia products for the Macintosh and other personal 
computers.

Gold Disk is located at 5155 Spectrum Way, Unit 5, Mississauga, 
Ontario, Canada L4W 5A1; phone 416602-4001; 
Applelink CDA0379.
-0-

Note: Animation Works and Gold Disk are trademarks of Gold Disk 
Inc.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 

Note to Editors:  Color transparencies and 35mm slides of 
Animation Works' screen shots and packaging are available by request.