[spectrum_news] Spectrum 9 January 2006
- From: Spectrum <spectrum_news@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: "spectrum_news@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <spectrum_news@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2006 23:06:47 -0800 (PST)
Spectrum: Interactive Media & Online Developer News
9 January 2006
Reported, written and edited by David Duberman
For editorial inquiries, send mailto: spectrum_news [at] yahoo.com
To subscribe, send email to spectrum_news-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with
"subscribe" (no quotes) in the Subject field. To unsubscribe, send email to
spectrum_news-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "unsubscribe" (no quotes) in the
Subject field. To change your subscription address, please unsubscribe from the
old address and then subscribe from the new one.
Search the Spectrum archives at http://www.3dlinks.com/spectrum
___________________________________
Today's Headlines (details below)
SPECTRUM REVIEWS
--Xara Xtreme
DEVELOPER?S TOOLBOX
--Khronos Releases OpenMAX IL 1.0 Spec
IN THE INFOGROOVE
--Google Unwraps the Google Pack
--3Dmsg to Bring 3D Talking Avatars to Wireless
GRAPHICALLY SPEAKING
--3Dmsg to Bring 3D Talking Avatars to Wireless
THE DIALS & LEVERS OF POWER
--Adobe Labs Delivers Early Access to Emerging Tech
DIGERATI ILLUMINATI
--2006 Game Developers Choice Awards Open For Nominations
F.Y.I.
--About Spectrum
___________________________________
SPECTRUM REVIEW
Xara Xtreme
Perhaps the best-known vector-graphics or drawing software is Adobe
Illustrator. It's the standard, but if you're not beholden to standards, and
want to save hundreds of dollars while still being able to do just about
anything AI does, and more, check out Xara Xtreme, the latest version of a
program previously known as Xara X. It's primarily a vector-graphics program,
although it regards anything in its workspace, whether shape or bitmap, as an
object. Click an object once, and you get standard handles for resizing on
ordinal and diagonal axes. Click it again, and you get handles at the corners
for rotating it and on the sides for skewing it.
Where Xara Xtreme really excels is in its tools for creating and modifying
vector shapes. You can add rectangles, circles, ovals, and polygons (such as a
star) simply by dragging them out on the canvas. You can choose a fill color
(or transparency) by left-clicking a color on the bottom edge of the screen,
and a line color by right-clicking the color. You can also apply bitmaps as
fills, and special procedural vectors as lines; several included samples
simulate such effects as brush strokes, and it's easy enough to create your own
and add them to the palette. In addition, the program lets you apply graduated
fills in shapes such as circular and diamond, and provides similar capabilities
with flat or graduated transparency. Once you have a patterned or bitmapped
fill, you can scale and rotate it simply by dragging with the mouse.
Xara Xtreme also offers two tools for creating custom shapes: a freehand tool
for sketching curves, and a pen tool for more precise placement of the Bezier
control points. Either one lets you close a curve, while drawing or after the
fact. And the freehand tool also lets you modify a shape by drawing a line
connecting any two points on the curve, thus adding to or subtracting from the
shape; a very nifty feature.
There's also a tool for adding text in standard paragraph format or along
curves; you can adjust the font, point size, tracking, line spacing, kerning,
and baseline. It's a bit tricky to do so before entering the text; best to
enter using the default, then select the text and make your changes. Similarly,
you can apply fills, outlines, shadows, bevels, etc. to shapes.
You can combine any number of shapes in a variety of ways. You can add them,
which results in a Boolean union; intersection is also available. You can
subtract the topmost shape from the underlying ones, or use the top shape to
cut/slice the others; in this case they don't interact with each other. Other
tools that take advantage of the procedural nature of vector graphics are
Contour, which gives you a gradated outline, and Blend, which creates any
number of intermediate shapes between pairs of shapes. Both of these include a
plethora of options, including the ability to set a bias, or emphasis toward
one end of the contour or blend. Unfortunately, though, you can't blend between
end shapes of a blend for a round-robin effect, unless you convert the blend to
shapes and ungroup them, which means you can no longer adjust the original
blend.
If you want to apply a nonstandard form to a shape or a block of text, you
can use the Mould tool (yes, this software is from England). As its name
suggests, this tool bends and distorts the existing shape to match the mold
shape. Molds are available in two types: envelopes, with a combination of
curved and straight sides; and perspective, with straight sides only. The
latter is useful for making a shape appear as if it's receding into the
distance. The mold affects the entire shape, so is particularly effective with
text; for example, by applying a circular mold, you get a fisheye effect. It
doesn't, however, affect a bitmap fill applied to the shape. You can also edit
the mold by moving points and envelope handles, and copy a mold from one shape
to another.
The Import from Web command is a nice touch, but the implementation needs
work. When I specified the URL of a blog I frequent, I received several error
messages, after which the program indiscriminately downloaded every image from
the home page and placed them in a cascading layout in the current document. It
would be more useful to be able to choose specific images to load, perhaps from
a thumbnail layout.
One real weakness is navigation. With Photoshop, you can zoom in and out with
the mouse wheel, and pan across your image by dragging the mouse with the
spacebar held down. Not so here. You have to use a special a Zoom tool, and a
Push tool to pan the drawing. You can use the wheel button in conjunction with
the Shift and Ctrl keys to zoom in and out, and by itself to center on the
point you click, but it's not as friendly as Photoshop.
Just for fun, I tried exporting some of the included, great-looking clip art
to AI format, and then imported the images into Adobe Illustrator. Each time,
upon loading the file, I encountered a dialog warning me that some of the
objects in the image used CMYK mode and others used RGB mode, and forcing me to
choose one or the other. Either way (the choice didn't seem to make any
difference), they didn't look so great in AI; in fact, most lost quite a bit in
translation. I'm no AI expert, so it could be I was doing something wrong by
using the default settings. Incidentally, in using a variety of files in Xara
Xtreme, I missed the standard Ctrl+W shortcut to close an image; in Xara
Xtreme, Ctrl+W opens a Web URL for importing images. Alas, there doesn't seem
to be any way to customize shortcuts. Interestingly, though, you can customize
the left and right mouse buttons to perform a variety of nonstandard functions,
such as Shift+clicking or zooming in or out.
Live Effects
Of the new features in Xara Xtreme, perhaps the most significant is Live
Effect. This simply means that you can apply a Photoshop-type filter to one or
more vector shapes or objects, and then if you subsequently edit the vector
shapes, the filter automatically readjusts itself. Xara includes a number of
special-effects filters from suppliers such as Alien Skin and Redfield, but
documentation for some of these is scant. Also, there's an Edit button for
changing existing filter effects, but it doesn't work with some of the supplied
filters. In such cases, a dialog appears informing you of the fact and offering
a "Recreate (sic) effect" option. The problem is, clicking this button has no
effect.
To access the Xara Picture Editor program from within Xara Xtreme, you load a
bitmap image and then double-click it, or choose the Xara Picture Editor
command from a menu. Typically, when I tried this, though, a small, empty
"Progress" window (about the size of a Web banner ad) appeared over the Xara
Picture Editor window and never went away. Why? Ya got me. I could move it
aside and perform some functions, such as cropping and rotating, but others,
such as Enhance (adjust brightness and contrast) and applying Photoshop
filters, had no effect. Well, at least no visible effect in Xara Picture
Editor. But accepting the change and returning to Xara Xtreme, I could see that
the changes did indeed take effect. Again, that's a real head-scratcher.
However, none of these problems occurred when I ran Xara Picture Editor as a
standalone, so I guess that's the way to go. One very nice feature of Xara
Picture Editor is that it saves the entire history of any edits you make to an
image, so you can reverse any or all. For example, if you crop an image and
then apply a filter, you can remove the cropping action and the filter is
reapplied to the entire image. I assume it saves the history in a separate
file, because as far as I know the JPEG format does not support such data. I
couldn't find the file, though; I looked in both the folder containing the
image file and the Xara install folder, but nothing obvious showed up.
Ironically, this feature does not evidence itself when running Xara Picture
Editor from within Xara Xtreme; yet another reason to stick to the standalone
methodology.
Incidentally, Photoshop-native filters show up in Xara, but they don't do
anything. This isn't news to anyone who's used Photoshop-plug-in-compatible
software in the past, but it would be nice to have some kind of warning in the
software for newbies.
If, evidence and conventional wisdom to the contrary, you're dead set on
producing animated GIFs, you have a friend, sort of, in Xara Xtreme. That is to
say: The program supports animation creation ... barely. Basically, you start
an animation, draw in the first frame, copy that to a second, new frame, modify
the contents, and so on. There's no tweening, nor any support for path
animation. But if you just want to create a very short animation and have no
other tools, this could do the trick.
My favorite feature, although it's not necessarily one every user will find
useful, is the ability to convert bitmaps to vector graphics by tracing
contours. It's fast and does a great job. The settings ranges let you create
anything from a reasonably faithful rendition to a semi-abstract, painterly
version. It's a powerful, unique function that lets you see your photos in new
ways.
That's it for the major features; you can discover the rest for yourself by
downloading the free, 15-day trial version. At $79, Xara Xtreme is easily one
of the best values available in graphics software; it's easy to learn and use,
and if you get stuck there's an online forum with lots of help. If you use your
computer for graphics, this program should definitely be part of your toolset.
http://www.xara.com/products/xtreme/default.asp
___________________________________
DEVELOPER?S TOOLBOX
Khronos Releases OpenMAX IL 1.0 Spec
The Khronos Group has ratified and publicly released the royalty-free OpenMAX
IL 1.0 specification that defines media component interfaces to enable the
rapid integration of accelerated codecs into streaming media frameworks on
embedded devices. Additionally, Khronos released details of the OpenMAX IL 1.0
Adopter's Program, including conformance tests to enable conformant products to
use the OpenMAX IL trademark to provide cross-platform audio, video, and
image-codec interoperability. Additionally, a sample OpenMAX IL implementation
for Linux, coded by Texas Instruments, will be freely available in the first
quarter of 2006 to enable experimentation with OpenMAX IL functionality by any
interested party. OpenMAX IL was developed under the Khronos Working Group
process, with the support of Khronos member companies including ARM, ATI
Technologies, Beatnik, Broadcom, Emuzed, Fraunhofer, Freescale, Infineon,
Intel, Motorola, Nokia, NVIDIA, Philips, SKY MobileMedia, Samsung, Sask
en,
Siemens, ST Microelectronics and Symbian, and was chaired by Texas
Instruments. The OpenMAX IL 1.0 specification is free for download at
http://www.khronos.org/openmax/.
OpenMAX IL is the first of three layers of the overall OpenMAX standard that
will provide streaming-media codec and application portability by enabling
accelerated multimedia components to be developed, integrated and programmed
across multiple operating systems and silicon platforms. The OpenMAX IL
(Integration Layer) API defines a standardized media component interface to
enable developers and platform providers to integrate and communicate with
multimedia codecs implemented in hardware or software. OpenMAX DL (Development
Layer) APIs will provide codec developers with a standardized set of primitive
functionality across a range of computing platforms. Ratification and public
release of OpenMAX DL 1.0 are expected in the first quarter of 2006. The
OpenMAX AL (Application Layer) is an application-level API that will enable
streaming media applications to be portable across multiple operating systems
and hardware platforms. OpenMAX AL is expected to be released during 2006.
___________________________________
IN THE INFOGROOVE
Google Unwraps the Google Pack
Google Inc. last week announced Google Pack beta, a free collection of
software from Google and other companies designed to improve the user
experience online and on the desktop. In a few clicks, users can discover,
install and maintain software to surf the Web faster and safer, communicate
better, and effectively manage information.
Google Pack includes:
-- Adobe Reader 7
-- Ad-Aware SE Personal
-- GalleryPlayer HD Images
-- Google Desktop
-- Google Earth
-- Google Pack Screensaver
-- Google Talk
-- Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer
-- Mozilla Firefox with Google Toolbar
-- Norton AntiVirus 2005 Special Edition
-- Picasa
-- RealPlayer
-- Trillian
Google Pack also includes Google Updater, a new tool that intelligently
downloads, installs and maintains all the software in the Google Pack. Google
Updater alerts users when updates and new programs become available and ensures
each program is always up to date. Google Updater can also be used to monitor
the status of installation, run software that's been installed, or easily
uninstall software.
Users can choose which programs they want to install. For programs already
installed on a computer, Updater checks whether the latest version is running.
If not, it installs the latest version.
Every program included in the Google Pack is free, has earned a reputation
for excellence, and was evaluated to ensure it meets Google's Software
Principles. Google respects users' rights to control their own computers and
does not include software that is spyware, generates pop-ups, or that is
difficult to uninstall. Additional information on Google's Software Principles
is available at
http://www.google.com/intl/en/corporate/software_principles.html.
Google Pack beta is available in English, runs on Windows XP, and supports
Firefox 1.0 and higher and Internet Explorer 6.0 and higher. More info on
Google Pack is available at http://pack.google.com
___________________________________
3Dmsg to Bring 3D Talking Avatars to Wireless
3Dmsg, a subsidiary of Sensory, Inc., is now under formation focusing on
applications for the cell phone and wireless handset markets. 3Dmsg's avatars
use lip-synchronization technology that morphs between visemes (visual
phonemes), providing accuracy said to be precise enough for lip readers to
understand. The company claims this will enable the development of products for
fun, communications, and language learning. 3Dmsg also says avatars can be
created from live speech, input text, or a combination of text and speech. The
company expects to announce its initial products during the first half of 2006.
To see a demonstration of 3Dmsg's talking avatar technology, go to
www.3Dmsg.com.
The 3Dmsg technology takes advantage of a hybrid neural network and hidden
Markov modeling speech technology to analyze spoken data and break it into
components that can be represented visually. These components can be thought of
as visual phonemes or "visemes" and represent different mouth/teeth/tongue
positions and movements. By stringing and morphing between these visemes, an
avatar can be controlled or rendered to represent a talking person or creature.
The 3Dmsg technology allows MMS, SMS, Instant Messaging, and other text or
voice messages to be delivered as low-bandwidth, 3D, video-like messages by a
talking avatar.
3Dmsg's products will include 3D animated messaging (from voice and text), 3D
greeting cards, 3D pronunciation, and language learning.
___________________________________
GRAPHICALLY SPEAKING
3Dmsg to Bring 3D Talking Avatars to Wireless
New from Avatech Solutions, Inc., a developer of design and engineering
technology for the manufacturing, building design, and engineering markets, is
Earth Connector, an AutoCAD plug-in that lets architects, building designers,
and engineers place 2D and 3D structures developed in AutoCAD-based products
directly into Google Earth's 3D world.
Google Earth has done more to advance the public's awareness of GIS -
Geographic Information Systems - than anything since MapQuest and is delivered
via a desktop service.
While images created using Avatech Earth Connector will not replace rendered
scenes created with products like Autodesk VIZ, the ability to quickly develop
and send a design to a client which allows them to view a structure or land
project in place from all angles makes Avatech Earth Connector a useful
addition to the designer's toolkit.
The benefit to architects, designers and engineers is that they can show
buildings, subdivisions or other designs to clients in the context of a 3D
world. The ubiquity of Google Earth, its game-like rendering speed, and
built-in GIS imagery provides users of Avatech Earth Connector with a quick,
easy way to show clients how a finished project might look in place.
Avatech Earth Connector is currently in beta form, and works with Autodesk
AutoCAD 2006 and 2005. Earth Connector is free to download from the Avatech Web
site at
http://www.avat.com/products/software/avatech/extractkml/extractkml.asp.
___________________________________
THE DIALS & LEVERS OF POWER
Adobe Labs Delivers Early Access to Emerging Tech
Adobe Systems last week launched Adobe Labs. Originally introduced in October
2005 by Macromedia, Adobe Labs will reportedly let developers and technology
enthusiasts experience, evaluate, and share feedback about new and emerging
Adobe innovations, technologies, and products before they go to market. In
return, Adobe will receive feedback and have the opportunity to make
adjustments to product strategy before shipping. Earlier last week an update to
Flash Pro 8 software was made available on Adobe Labs, http://labs.adobe.com,
for building mobile applications with Flash Lite 2 software. This, along with
Alpha versions of the Flex product line and Flash Player 8.5, is the beginning
of an expanding roster that will evolve as Alpha and Beta versions of new
software become available. Since the first Labs release in September,
developers have posted suggestions, feature requests, and questions in public
forums. Much of this input is actively being incorporated into upcoming rele
ases.
Technologies available on Adobe Labs range from early releases of new
products to toolkits, individual components and interesting ideas from the
Adobe engineering team. Depending on user feedback and market opportunity, some
of the technologies on Labs may result in new products or become part of
existing ones, while others will continue to be hosted on Labs mainly as a
resource to the broader community.
___________________________________
DIGERATI ILLUMINATI
2006 Game Developers Choice Awards Open For Nominations
Nominations are now being accepted for the 6th annual Game Developers Choice
Awards. Entries can be submitted through www.igda.org/awards up until Jan. 13,
2006. The awards ceremony, produced by the Game Developers Conference (GDC) and
presented by the International Game Developers Association (IGDA), will take
place Wednesday, March 22, 2006 during the GDC. The gala, held in conjunction
with the Independent Games Festival, will be hosted at the San Jose Civic
Auditorium.
"The GDC is proud to produce and showcase the industry's most highly-regarded
awards,? said Jamil Moledina, director of the GDC. ?The ?Choice' refers to the
fact that professional game developers themselves freely nominate and vote for
other developers, a process administered by the IGDA, an independent non-profit
organization. This structure gives the Game Developers Choice Awards a level of
credibility that puts it on par with other top entertainment industry awards
shows, and we are excited to continue our tradition of honoring the game
industry's greatest talent.?
The Game Developers Choice Awards acknowledge excellence in the art of game
creation ? regardless of genre, platform or delivery medium. Awards will be
presented for the following categories:
* Best Game
* Innovation
* Audio
* Character Design
* Game Design
* Technology
* Visual Arts
* Writing
* New Studio
* Lifetime Achievement
* First Penguin
* Maverick
* Community Contribution
Nomination ballot and further details on the Choice Awards available online
at www.igda.org/awards.
___________________________________
F.Y.I.
About Spectrum
Spectrum is an independent news service published every Monday for the
interactive media professional community by Motion Blur Media. Spectrum covers
the tools and technologies used to create interactive multimedia applications
and infrastructure for business, education, and entertainment; and the
interactive media industry scene. We love to receive interactive
media/online-development tools and end product for review.
Send your interactive multimedia business, product, people, event, or
technology news by email only to: spectrum_news [at] yahoo.com
If you contact companies or organizations mentioned here, please tell them
you saw the news in Spectrum. Thanks.
___________________________________
Publisher's note: We are now accepting limited advertising. If you'd like to
offer your company's products or services to Spectrum's elite audience of
Internet and multimedia professionals, send an email query to mailto:
spectrum_news [at] yahoo.com.
- David Duberman
___________________________________
©Copyright 2006 Motion Blur Media. All rights reserved. No reproduction in
any for-profit or revenue-generating venue in any form without written
permission from the publisher.
---------------------------------
Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less
Other related posts:
- » [spectrum_news] Spectrum 9 January 2006
