 |
WILDCAT
VP870
3Dlabs Wildcat VP870 is one of the very first programmable graphics
cards available to digital animation artists today. It uses 128
MB of 256-bit DDR memory and keeps most software and programs
running smoothly while multi-tasking.
I installed VP870 in a Dell Precision 530 and used 3ds max 5,
Maya 4, Combustion 2 and Adobe Photoshop 7 to test it. I was able
to run all these packages at the same time and opened their interactive
windows and switched back and forth without any problems. In addition,
I found the VP870's responses fast and impressive.
For all my various projects, VP used only the on-board memory,
and it would be tough to use all the additional 16GB of virtual
memory supported by the card.
GOOD NEWS: Wildcat VP870 supports 2D, 3D, OpenGL and Direct3D
applications and high-level shading tools such as OpenGL 2.0 and
D3Dx.
WISH LIST: VP needs an easy-to-understand online or printed user
manual targeted at digital art creators in order to explain all
its options.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Wildcat VP870 is a perfect tool for 2D
and 3D art creators in need of a powerful graphics card. It supports
most of the upcoming rendering technologies and allows the user
to operate two monitors at the same time.
WEB ADDRESS: www.3dlabs.com
FINAL SCORE *****
Animation Magazine's Seal of Excellence
EASE OF USE ****
POWER OF TOOLS *****
EXPANDABILITY ****
 |
NXN's
Alienbrain 6.0
As the game development process becomes more and more sophisticated,
and production houses continue to seek new ways to create better
games at faster, cheaper rates, finding the right asset management
tools becomes more crucial. However, most of the available tools
in the market address post production or archiving issues. Only
a few have been dealing with the actual production process, and,
among them, NXN's alienbrain is the real standout.
Since its earlier versions, alienbrain has allowed its users to
manage a production team and oversee the production process, as
well as letting the production team members organize their work
effectively. For example, artists can work on the same files without
having to worry about the risk of over-writing any of the previous
file versions. alienbrain also configures the level of access
granted to each one of the team members and keeps track of a file's
different versions. A simple color-coded system also allows users
to tell whether a file is waiting to be approved or has been returned
for changes.
I tried NXN on a network by installing it on a server (for one
client). The new modifiable alienbrain interface allows the user
to arrange the screen elements based on tastes and needs. The
system's new Branching Wizard is a handy way to build predefined
branch types for a project.
GOOD NEWS: Now Araxis Merge, a favored merging tool for
game developers is offered for free with alienbrain Windows client.
Integration of Araxis with alienbrain should make a lot of lives
much easier. In addition, alienbrain integrates proprietary tools
and industry favorites such as Maya, 3ds max and Photoshop.
WISH LIST: The alienbrain "Starter Pack" costs
$9,990 for 10 clients and one server, while its "Unlimited"
package goes for $2,500 per seat. Smaller houses might find the
current price tag a bit steep. It would be nice also to see an
Alienbrain server for Mac OS and Linux.
The Bottom Line: If you are running a production team, and you
need to cut your production time, NXN alienbrain seems to be your
only and best choice for the time being.
WEB ADDRESS www.nxn-software.com
FINAL SCORE *****
Animation Magazine's Seal of Excellence
EASE OF USE ****
INTERFACE *****
POWER OF TOOLS *****
QUALITY AND DEPTH *****
|
