NaturalMotion Ltd. announced the immediate availability of the companys free endorphin Learning Edition (eLE). Based on the award-winning 3D character animation software endorphin 2.0, the eLE has no time restrictions, includes all relevant product documentation and offers a comprehensive support network via the companys endorphin forum. The software is fully functional; however, it is motion file export disabled and is not to be used for commercial production.
endorphin provides an entirely new approach to 3D character animation that will significantly impact how 3D characters are animated in the future, said Torsten Reil, ceo of NaturalMotion. With the availability of a free eLE, animators will have the opportunity to educate themselves on endorphins unique DMS technology and develop a valuable skill set for the high-end industry. Equally, smaller animation studios can evaluate the software at their own pace, and have the option to rent endorphin 2.0 on a monthly basis, for maximum flexibility.
The eLE contains all of the same features found in endorphin 2.0, including: multi-layer behaviors; enhanced adaptive behaviors; an intuitive GUI (including layered behavior support on the timeline); and support for the Avid Alienbrain Studio asset management and Perforce software configuration management systems.
NaturalMotions eLE is available free of charge directly from the companys Web site at www.naturalmotion.com, and includes relevant product documentation and a comprehensive user support network via the endorphin forum. The eLE has no time limitations; the software is motion file export disabled and is not to be used for commercial production.
The full version of endorphin 2.0 retails at $12,795. eLE users also have the option to rent the software on a monthly basis for $1,595.
Oxford, England-based NaturalMotion Ltd. (www.naturalmotion.com) is the first company to create 3D character animation software (endorphin) based on Dynamic Motion Synthesis (DMS), a technology that utilizes Adaptive Behaviors and artificial intelligence to simulate the human-nervous system. Based on Oxford University research on the control of body movements, endorphin synthesizes 3D characters in realtime. A breakthrough in 3D character animation, this process allows animation to be created much faster than conventional methods; thus significantly reducing asset production time and costs. With customers such as Sony Europe, Sony America, Moving Picture Co., The Mill, Namco, Konami, Rainbow Studios and Tigar Hare, endorphin is rapidly becoming the tool of choice for todays leading visual effects artists creating high-end animation.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
