Choosing the Best Video Mixer (page 2)

Computer-based nonlinear editing has brought with it a demand for special-effects software packages--and there are plenty of them. These packages offer videographers of all skill levels the opportunity to explore an entirely new world of special effects with relative ease, and are available at price ranges likely to fit your budget.

Kai's Power Goo by MetaTools allows users to create "liquid" images--images that move around like liquid on the screen--and then manipulate them in real-time by smearing, stretching, shrinking and blending. Users can create caricatures of their favorite political figures, family members, pets--you name it. Goo sells for just $49.

If you have a little more to spend, Gryphon Software's Morph 2.5 is worth considering. Available for both Macintosh and Windows users, Morph 2.5 allows users to create morphs from separate animations, exaggerate a person's features with the Caricature feature, or distort images through warping. It retails for $99.

Retailing for $120 is Andover Advanced Technology's VideoCraft 3.6. This special effects package gives users the ability to create short animations and video clips. The package also includes a method to perform simple nonlinear edits using a storyboard to put together your video clips.

Strata's MediaPaint is another digital video special effects and painting application. This software allows users to create special effects using plug-in, time-based particle tools. These tools let the user draw a path where the effect is to take place, then the program produces the effect over a series of frames. MediaPaint retails for $695.

If keeping to a low budget is not a huge concern, Ultimatte Corporation's Ultimatte for Adobe might suit your needs. This plug-in transition software lets users perform image compositing and other special effects like rendering blue screen video--with a price tag of $1495.

Another type of special effect available to nonlinear editors is the plug-in transition. These effects usually plug right into your existing nonlinear editing software (such as Adobe Premiere or Ulead MediaStudio) to give you flexibility and creative control unlike any stand-alone unit.

One such product is HollywoodFX Take32 by Synergy International, Inc. This plug-in software package lets you perform 32 basic transitions in the form of 3D shapes or 3D transitions--all of which can be manipulated in a number of interesting and creative ways. The package retails for $99.

A similar product is CrystalGraphics' 3D Vortex($198). Vortex uses many high-resolution 3D graphics to spice up your Adobe Premiere 4.2, Ulead MediaStudio 2.5 or FAST VM-Studio PLUS transitions.

One consideration you should keep in mind about using software to create your special effects is time. Once you tell your computer the type of effect you're after, the computer must render the information. Depending on what type of computer system you have, and the length, complexity and resolution of your transitions, rendering can take anywhere from 5 minutes to many hours--sometimes even a day or two. If seeing the special effects you've created instantly on your screen appeals to you, you might want to consider using a stand-alone SEG. While there are some computer systems that can render in near-real-time, these systems are few and far-between--and quite expensive.

For more information about these and other special effects software packages, see the Special Effects Hardware/Software Buyer's Guide in the March, 1997 edition of Videomaker.

Now that we've surveyed the hardware and software necessary to produce your own special effects, it's time to hit the stores. Before you put down your hard-earned cash, though, make sure you know what features you want to perform, and know how much of a learning curve you're willing to tackle. Special effects hardware and software come in a wide range of experience- and price-levels. With a little thought, you can make a purchase that'll help you perform effects that aren't only special--but long-lasting in your viewer's mind.

Alice Greany is Videomaker's Editorial Assistant.

Ambico
147 E. 57th St.
New York, NY 10022
800-732-6866

Andover Advanced Technology
532 Great Road
Acton, MA
508-635-5300

Fast Electronic
393 Vintage Park Dr. Suite 140
Foster City, CA 94404
800-684-6684

MetaCreations (MetaTools)
6303 Carpenteria Ave.
Carpenteria, CA 93013
805-566-6200

Gryphon Software Corp.
7220 Trade Street, Suite 120
San Diego, CA 92121
619-536-8815

Strata
2 West St. George Blvd., Suite 2100
St. George, UT
800-678-7282

Ultimatte Corporation
20554 Plummer St.
Chatsworth, CA 91311
818-993-8007

Panasonic
One Panasonic Way
Secaucus, NJ 07094
201-348-9090

JVC Professional
41 Slater Drive
Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
800-582-5825

Sima
140 Pennsylvania Ave. #5
Oakmont, PA 15139
800-345-7462

NewTek
5505 Central Ave.
Boulder, CO 80301
303-448-9700

Synergy International, Inc.
300 E. 4500 South Ste. 100
Salt Lake City, UT 84107
800-796-7491

Videonics
1370 Dell Ave.
Campbell, CA 95008
408-866-8300

This list is only a sampling; it is not intended to be comprehensive.

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