DAZ Productions Inc., a Utah-based developer of 3D software and models
that also sells Bryce 5 (purchased from Corel last year), recently
completed a 3D-illustrated children’s picture book and companion CD to
showcase the depth and range of its pro-level modeling and animation
software, DAZ|Studio. Featuring the likeness of Dick Van Dyke, who
collaborated with DAZ president Dan Farr to create the storyline,
Mr. Finnegan’s Giving Chest has a holiday message
and a saturated palette of smoothly rendered characters. Van Dyke, it
turns out, got hooked on animation when he first "danced" with those
penguins in Mary Poppins and has been a CGI hobbyist
ever since (for those of you who saw Van Dyke at
Siggraph in Los Angeles last summer, now you know
why he was there). The best part about DAZ|Studio, which is available
for both Windows and the Mac, is that you can download the
software-along with three pre-configured 3D scenes, a user manual and
some tutorials- for free. The only catch is you have to register at the
company Web site and agree to tell two friends about the software (DAZ
calls this its "Tell-Ware" program). If you want to add to your scenes,
DAZ Productions has a large library of 3D scenes and models for sale
(they have to make money somehow, don’t they?). Free; DAZ|Studio model
pricing varies.
www.daz3d.com