Reprinted from a Canopus press release:
At next week’s NAB2004 convention in Las Vegas, Canopus Corporation (booth #SL5805) will unveil Imaginate 2.0, the newest version of its acclaimed still-image animation software that gives documentary filmmakers, broadcasters, as well as corporate and event videographers, the freedom and flexibility to bring new dimensions to their productions by transforming their still images and photographs into movies. Designed to increase productivity, new features in Imaginate 2.0 include a Storyboard editing mode with multiple image support, soundtrack capabilities and a collection of smart productivity tools that make the set up and configuration of projects easy and straightforward.
Imaginate 2.0 features a new Edit Project Mode that provides a complete overview of the project and allows the importing of groups of images directly into the project. The Storyboard interface allows images to be arranged in any order by simply dragging and dropping them. Imaginate 2.0’s support for multiple images makes it easy to create photo montages, slide shows and presentations. Individual images are placed in the Storyboard and are connected with simple adjustable dissolves for a clean, professional look. Imaginate 2.0 uses smart memory management to handle hundreds of high-resolution images without overloading system resources.
For added creativity, Imaginate 2.0 includes a new soundtrack capability that lets users import audio files, including music or narration, to Imaginate projects. A host of productivity tools, including new wizard interfaces and template libraries are used to ease the set up and configuration of projects, such as camera movements, video effects and scene lengths. These tools let editors effortlessly create and modify compelling camera angles and movements that range from simple to complex.
“With Imaginate 2.0, editors can transform still-images into movies that can be used to bring history to life, create montages with audio, DVD motion menus, or anything else the video professional can imagine,” said Hiro Yamada, founder and chairman of the board of Canopus. “The addition of multiple image support, audio capabilities and the new set of smart productivity tools make Imaginate 2.0 one of the most creative and powerful tools in the video professional’s arsenal.”
About Imaginate
Imaginate still-image animation software gives video professionals the tools to bring new dimensions to their productions by transforming still images and photographs into movies. The advanced interface and intuitive timeline provide precision control over the panning, zooming, scaling and skewing of the camera. This makes it easy to create the sweeping cinematic effects normally reserved for software and hardware packages with much higher price points and steeper learning curves. Imaginate functions as a standalone product or as a Canopus EDIUS or Adobe Premiere plug-in that lets editors drop Imaginate files directly onto the timeline for editing and includes alpha channel support for compositing effects.
Pricing and Availability
Imaginate 2.0 will be available in May 2004 from Canopus and its authorized dealers and system integrators for a suggested retail price of $199. Registered Imaginate users can upgrade to Imaginate 2.0 for a special upgrade price of $49. Imaginate supports Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional.
