DFX+ with the 3D Tools and Visual Effects

[inquisitive]

Hi,

What can I do / use DFX+ with the 3D Tools and Visual Effects for?

Does DFX+ offer things that the video toaster does?



I own both VT2 and a stand alone version of LW7.5
so now I am undecided as to which way to upgrade :) (cannot upgrade both items, unfortunately)

VT2 to VT3 get another seat of LW7.5c or LW7.5c to LW8 and get DFX+



(note: would be nice for the people that participates in the beta program to receive LW8 instead of LW7.5c - after all they are paying for the upgrade just like everyone else and on top of that spending their time troubleshooting the software, or give them the upgrade for free :) )

[irfan]

If you use Aura and are satified with it, you probably don't need DFX+. That's just my 2 cents worth.

If you use LW and expect to need the functionality announced for LW8, go for that with the free DFX.

If you could use an extra seat of LW (although fixed to one machine), go for the VT[3] upgrade.

I would choose the VT[3] upgrade myself because it raises TEd from a its current clunkiness to a higher standard.

Good luck,

Irfan

[inquisitive]

Thank you for the reply.

Where can i fiind out what LW8 will offer? so far I have not been able to find any info. (perhaps i am looking in the wrong place).

[pauland]

Originally posted by inquisitive
Thank you for the reply.

Where can i fiind out what LW8 will offer? so far I have not been able to find any info. (perhaps i am looking in the wrong place).

You are not looking in the wrong place - there is no place to look. The LW8 upgrade is a 'blind buy' you don't know what you are paying for. You do know that it should be good, and regardless of that there's some serious software currently thrown in.

Paul

[Chris Moore]

Doesn't DFX offer a much more dedicated application for intricate compositing than does Aura?

You may get more work in the compositing arena with DFX and Aura combined than you could get extra work by going VT2 to VT3 (notwithstanding the new spline editor). Who knows?

It depends on the kind of work you are getting or the direction you want to priorize with your business...and what you like to do. Let's not forget the joy.

[inquisitive]

Thank you for your reply.

Ever since I found out about the upgrade I have been sitting on the fence. However I have decided to upgrade LW and get the DFX+ package.

I actually called the east/west sales number but didnt get a live person :( so I guess ill upgrade via Newtek's website.


By the way those that going to go that route the pigsfly maillist is pretty active. I have been a lurker there for a couple of weeks just seeing what type of issues, people run into.

Inquisitive

[Arte]

Originally posted by irfan
If you use Aura and are satified with it, you probably don't need DFX+. That's just my 2 cents worth.

If you use LW and expect to need the functionality announced for LW8, go for that with the free DFX.

If you could use an extra seat of LW (although fixed to one machine), go for the VT[3] upgrade.

I would choose the VT[3] upgrade myself because it raises TEd from a its current clunkiness to a higher standard.

Good luck,

Irfan

Hi Irfan.

Aura and DF are completely different programs and almost totally unrelated. One is a paint tool, the other is almost exclusively a composition too.

Both overlap into one anothers fields however neither is capable of even approaching the others market realistically. Aura has weak keyframing, underpowered motion tools, weak layering, zero facilities for extended buffer support and most importantly is destructive. DFX on the other hand is awesome at these things.

Fusion on the other hand is abysmal to use as a painter with very clunky paint tools that make you want to die if you are used to a power application which is where Aura steps in and wipe the floor with just about everything non Amiga (Brilliance still matches and surpasses Aura on many fronts).

Both get on really well with each other and are an awsome team. I recently used Aura to handle painted effects such as making a still cup of tea appear to reflect as it moved and then used Fusion to composite the effect into the completed shot.

Aura's stencil and keying tools are good but if you combine then with Fusion's alpha tools you enter an entirely new arena. The above shot was keyed using both tools to generate the alpha channel necessary for the key. Neither app alone could do it in the time frame.

X

[inquisitive]

Thank you for taking the time to post information about the two programs.

I tried again to place an order with a salesperson heh but once again I got the voice mail so the order was placed with sharbor.com.

Now that I have made the decision to upgrade I am told it may be up to two weeks or more before I will see the package?

Can anyone from Newtek comment on this?

Thanks

[pauland]

Originally posted by inquisitive


Now that I have made the decision to upgrade I am told it may be up to two weeks or more before I will see the package?
That sounds typical - I think Eyon send on the packages to the distributors/or mail them directly.

Paul

[Liber777]

When ordering from NewTek, eyeon was sending the packages to NewTek for shipment to the customer. One gentleman here got his in about three days. It took a week to get mine because NewTek had to wait for a fresh shipment from eyeon.

[irfan]

Originally posted by Arte
Both get on really well with each other and are an awsome team. I recently used Aura to handle painted effects such as making a still cup of tea appear to reflect as it moved and then used Fusion to composite the effect into the completed shot.

Aura's stencil and keying tools are good but if you combine then with Fusion's alpha tools you enter an entirely new arena. The above shot was keyed using both tools to generate the alpha channel necessary for the key. Neither app alone could do it in the time frame.


Hi Arte:

Thanks for your characterization.

The bolded part above sounds intriguing. I know you must be busy but if you get the time, I wouldn't mind hearing about your project. Did you create different keys in each program and combine them in DFX? Don't want to waste your time so if you can't provide details, that's cool.

Thanks in advance,

Irfan