The enclosed floppy disk contains a Demonstration Version of the Gradient Designer fx 1.0. This application can only be used with 3D Studio Release 4 or greater, a minimum of 8Mb's of RAM ( 16 Recommended ), and a high color video card supported by inline Vibrant Graphics drivers for 3D Studio.
The demonstration version is complete in functionality. It provides users with the ability to explore all of the Gradient Designers fx image creation and Time-Based Controls, but users can not Save files using this application
The demonstration version is accompanied by a digital portfolio of presets created or enhanced by Gradient Designer fx. The presets contained on the second disk demonstrate the unique backgrounds and layering capabilities that can be achieved with limited effort.
Gradient Designer fx 1.0 Demo Version installation instructions:
Gradient Designer fx 1.0 Demo Installation ;
1. Insert Disk 1 into your floppy drive (source drive).
2. Type A:INSTALL on the command line and press ENTER. (Use the appropriate source drive letter.)
3. Gradient Designer fx 1.0 Installation screen appears. Press any key to continue.
4. Gradient Designer fx 1.0 installer prompts you to locate the drive 3D-Studio is on. Select it.
5. You are then prompted to specify your 3D-Studio directory. The files 3DS.EXE and 3DS.SET must exist in this directory for the installation to proceed. If you are unsure of the directory, exit the install program by pressing the ESC key. Find the directory containing these files and restart the installation program.
Gradient Designer fx Basics :
Gradient creation, including alpha channels, is a powerful tool that adds special effects to both static and animated images. That power is magnified with the use of custom backgrounds. Every gradient (.GRD) is stored algorithmically. It has the ability to either apply or render at the saved resolution. To easily change the resolution, just open the preset and resave it with a new resolution. There is no size penalty for saving at a higher resolution. A gradient preset saved at 640x480 is no larger than an identical preset saved at 320x200. Working with presets is easier when you consider that they may be applied at any resolution. When working with the Keyframer, the background may be either a static file or an animation file. An animated background in a preset cannot be used in Video Post processing.
Anytime a preset is saved, the background information is also saved. Although the Gradient Designer fx does not save the background information internally, it does save a pointer to the file. When the preset is recalled, the background information is also recalled. If you delete the file or move it from a path directory, it no longer appears in the preset. A message alerting you to that fact appears. The rest of the preset information is still available.
Layers in the Gradient Designer fx :
Layers and layering of backgrounds is perhaps the most powerful feature in the Gradient Designer fx. This power and flexibility is also easily misunderstood.
So what is layering?;
Simply put, layering is the ability to create a gradient preset and save it. Then load it as a background, create another gradient effect (using the apply modes which allow the two to interact) on top of that and save it. Load the second gradient preset (which represents the interaction between the first two presets) and design another gradient over the top of that preset. And do this all with animation. Got it?
Layering Walkthrough
The files we'll use for this walkthrough comprise the Aurora Borealis series. They were installed with the Gradient Designer program files.
First, open Gradient Designer fx and locate the file Aurora Borealis. Aurora Borealis is the description, the file name is 7.GRD. It is an animated .GRD file. Go ahead and play it. It will give you an idea as to where we're heading.
OK, now load the file 1.GRD or Aurora Borealis Part 1.O What you are looking at is pretty black. In fact, it is all black. But notice the numbers on the keyframe indicator. Go ahead an click on them. Notice, for instance, that if you click on number 31, you see a green gradient and the preview window looks like a large donut. Click on keyframe number 58. It has moved and the color has changed. Frame number 80 shows that the color has changed again Frame number 105 has changed the color again, and it has moved. Frames number 113 and 120 show a gradual fade to black. This process was saved, and loaded as a background layer for the next gradient, 2.GRD, or Aurora Borealis Part 2.O
Load 2.GRD and examine what's we've got here. It starts with a small purple highlight in the bottom left of the preview screen. Playing the animation shows the highlight moving up and fading into the large green donut. Again, the preset was saved and then loaded as an animated background. In both of the previous sequences, the .GRD that was developed was saved and loaded as a background. It is a cumulative effect that yields some very interesting results.
Load 3.GRD. We can see we have more highlights that seem to circle each other before fading in to the green donut. Also notice that a Normal Apply with lots of transparency is being used.
Load 4.GRD. Go ahead and click on the keyframe indicators. Notice how the highlights come and go over time. Again, a Normal Apply with lots of transparency.
Load 5.GRD. We can see this is becoming very complex. Here we have 12 keyframes and multiple highlights circling as the donut changes color. Notice how the interaction between the layers grows as this becomes more complex.
Load 6.GRD and play the sequence. More highlights circling and an increasingly complex interaction between the layers. Remember, if you want to change one of the items here, you must choose that layer the effect was created in. For instance, if you decide the opening green donut should be red, you must edit 1.GRD to change the color. After that the change is reflected in all of the files that use 1.GRD as a background.
Load 7.GRD. Notice the interplay between the colors and the background as you click through the keyframes. Also notice that the Apply Mode has been changed to Screen for some interesting effects.
This is the final animation with all of the layers working interactively with each other.
Sales Questions
How much does Gradient Designer fx 1.0 cost?
Gradient Designer fx 1.0 suggested U.S. list price is $395.
How can customers purchase Gradient Designer fx 1.0?
All end-user Gradient Designer fx sales are conducted through
HSC's authorized reseller channel. For the name of your local KPT VideoWare reseller please contact your HSC representative at 1.800.472.9025 or (fax) 805.566.6385.
