GOTHENBURG, Sweden — Jan. 20, 2009 — Further expanding the artist-friendly workflow, Craft Animations™ today announced the availability of its Craft Director Tools™ for users of MAXON CINEMA 4D. Craft Director Tools utilize high-end artificial intelligence and autonomous control systems to drastically condense traditional animation processes. Combining these unprecedented animation tools with CINEMA 4D’s ease-of-use and image quality, users receive a time-saving and cost-effective animation solution capable of saving hours, days and weeks of laborious animation time.

"Craft Director Tools make it a breeze to add an extra dash of reality to CG animations,” said Marco Tillmann, product manager at MAXON. “The comprehensive toolset allows the artist to focus on the result rather than the technology behind it. MAXON is pleased that Craft Animations has ported this powerful set of tools to CINEMA 4D, making the life of creative minds easier.”

By eliminating the prolonged tasks of key framing and scripting, Craft Director Tools provide artists more time for creative processes. Professional users including Digital Dimension, Toyota and Lockheed Martin have reported reduced production times by up to 90 percent. Additionally, they have gained the opportunity to create natural motion paths on the fly through autopilot functions, or a variety of input devices such as gamepads, joysticks, keyboards, Wacom boards and 6DOF controllers (such as Space Pilot®).

Allowing for precise control of object placement, as well as the instant gratification received by highly realistic interactive real-time animation, Craft Director Tools include:
•        Craft Camera Tools provide users with real-time camera control for immediate, professional-quality cinematic results.
•        Craft Vehicles allow artists to create the most realistic and accurate simulations for in-motion vehicles.
•        Craft Accessories add the finishing touches to action-packed productions by simulating and animating props such as missiles, trailers, cog wheels and other moving parts.
•        Craft Freeware offers a free-to-use extended toolbox for Craft Director Tools allowing real-time recording, interaction and depth orientation.
“CINEMA 4D animators, industrial designers and architects may now achieve the quality of real-time, real-world animation and filming techniques within a fully 3D environment,” said Craft Animations’ Co-founder and Head of R&D, Luigi Tramontana. “Craft Camera Tools put CG cinematics back into the hands of directors by shortening lead times between concept and reality. This alleviates the struggle between sub-standard camera behavior and 3D animation that has plagued the industry for years.”

Pricing and Availability
Craft Director Tools for MAXON CINEMA 4D are available now and are individually priced between USD $129 and $1,199. For easy download and installation within CINEMA 4D, please visit the Craft Animations CINEMA 4D download site.

Windows and Mac versions of Craft Director Tools are compatible with CINEMA 4D R10, R10.5 and R11. Craft Director Tools are also available for Autodesk’s 3ds Max and Maya, Mac and Windows platforms.

About Craft Animations
Founded in 2006 and based in Gothenburg, Sweden, Craft Animations™ AB is a leading developer of a new era of professional real-time 3D animation technology, Craft Director Tools™. Based on cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence and autonomous control systems, Craft Director Tools simulate the complex physical behavior of cameras and 3D vehicles such as helicopters, cars, airplanes, boats and motorcyles. Utilized by high-profile companies world-wide such as Digital Domain, Lockheed Martin, Digital Dimension and Toyota; Craft Director Tools streamline production, enhance realism and increase creativity for users in the visual effects, game development, forensic reconstruction and architectural design industries. For more information, please visit www.craftanimations.com.

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© 2009 Craft Animations AB. All rights reserved. Craft Director Tools is a Registered Trademark of Craft Animations AB. All other brand names, product names, service marks or trademarks belong to their respective holders.