form•Z 3.0 users manuals

June 24, 1999

New form•Z manuals, updated to version 3.0, are now available and can be ordered by our users. Publications available include form•Z volumes I, II, III, and Directory; RenderZone/RadioZity; Tutorial; and Quick Reference Guide. For specific ordering information, please contact your local dealer, or if ordering in the USA, you may contact ZwebSales@formz.com.

For immediate release

June 21, 1999

AutoDesSys, Inc. wishes to share some very exciting news: The June 1999 issue of Computer Graphics World Magazine includes an article written by Barbara Robertson about the digital tools that were used in the making of Star Wars Episode I: the Phantom Menace, an impressive array of software to say the least.

form•Z is listed as being one of the programs used at Industrial Light and Magic by the "so-called Rebel unit, a close knit team that used tools such as Power Animator on SGI machines, and AutoDesSys' form•Z ..."(http://www.cgw.com)

Chris Tome, the technical editor of 3D Design Magazine, also talks about the use of form•Z in Star Wars Episode I: the Phantom Menace. In the June 99 issue of the online3D Direct Newsletter, a section of 3D Design Magazine's web site (http://3d-design.com/newsletter/1999/0699/webnews0699.html), he says that "3D Magazine has confirmed that ... most of the ship models were created on Macs using AutoDesSys' form•Z."

"AutoDesSys cannot hide its pride and delight to know that form•Z is part of an international phenomenon with epic magnitude, reaching millions around the world" said Chris Yessios, president of AutoDesSys. "One cannot help but admire all the technology (digital and non-digital) involved in creating the special effects and congratulations are in order to all involved in making this film. May the force be with the wonderful world of story telling in 3D!"



Press release

April 02, 1999

Scéno Plus, Inc., the architectural firm that specializes in the design of theatrical spaces, uses form•Z to design the structures that house Cirque du Soleil.

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Columbus, Ohio, April 2, 1999 - An article written by Susan Maclean in the April issue of CAD SYSTEMS magazine profiles the architectural firm Scéno Plus, Inc., Montréal, Canada, which specializes in the design of theatrical spaces. The article details the use of CAD in the design process and concentrates specifically on the application of form•Z for 3D production. Scéno Plus considers CAD a vital part of conceptual design when translating ideas into visual displays. "We try to be cutting edge"says Michel Aubé, the design architect. He approaches his designs by typically starting out with a few sketches to convey what he envisions in his head. "From then on, only CAD is used - first as a concept tool, then as a representation tool and finally as a production tool. The firm uses form•Z for their 3D work."

According to the article, Scéno Plus chose form•Z because "it is very precise and very stable... All the tools are very useful. The way that they interface is user friendly. We can easily do organic architecture and at the same time do traditional architecture," explained Benoit Décarie, one of the architects at the firm. This became clearly apparent when designing the show room and the aqua stage at the new Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. The ceiling presented a challenge because it is like a circle of ribs and each rib has its own radius and form resulting in a great deal of organic shapes with a very complicated geometric form. "form•Zshowed every rib and allowed us to work on each one to make it the way it should be" said Éric Tremblay, another architect on the team.

"We were delighted to read in the article that Scéno Plus was honored at the 1998 Entertainment Design Awards gala for its exceptional contribution to the design of the theatre at the Bellagio along with Cirque du Soleil's show 'O'," commented Chris Yessios, the president of AutoDesSys. Scéno Plus also designed the Cirque du Soleil Theatre which opened this January, at Disney World, Florida as well as other facilities in which it performs. One of its current projects is the transformation of the Battersea Power Station in London, England, into a development which includes 30 movie theatres, a themed shopping centre, restaurants, and a redesigned train station.

To read more in CAD SYSTEMS magazine you may visit their web site: http://www.cadsystems.com

 

Press release

March 18, 1999

It's true when they say "if you can imagine the shape you can build it in form•Z 3.0."
Richard Spöhrer, CGI, April 99

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Columbus, Ohio, March 19, 1999 - The April 99 issue of CGI magazine, a leading computer graphics publication, out of the UK, includes a review of form•Z 3.0 which truly captures the essence of the application.

Richard Spöhrer's review starts with the statement that "form•Z 3.0 has carved out a place as the Mac's most capable modelling system over the last few years and with the long awaited release of version 3.0 this remains secure." However, he does not stop there; he goes on to recognize form•Z 3.0's growing presence on the Windows platform too. The AutoDesSys team is delighted to hear that form•Z 3.0 "offers far more robust modelling than 3D Studio Max."

The review praises the alignment and distribution controls which work in any orientation and the new justification and distribution options "which combined with a new preview dialogue encourage experimentation as the possibilities are endless." Although the reviewer is not totally satisfied with the way the new interface feels, he still finds it "far more flexible than in previous versions" and also adds that "interface design is a personal thing, however."

Parametric primitives and nurbz are two other modeling features which the review goes into with some detail. These are powerful tools that give form•Z 3.0 some of its unique flexibility in 3D design. The possibility to combine these tools with polygons, patches, metaformz, meshes, skinning, sweeps, and numerous other tools offers great organic modeling capabilities. However, along with the modeling, drafting has also"been improved across the board with a reworking of both 2D and 3D tool sets. form•Z 3.0 has long been a popular visualisation tool for architects as it boasts excellent 2D CAD features. The addition of a staircase generation tool is sure to enhance this position."

The review also deals with the newly introduced walkthrough animation. "AutoDesSys are clear they want to produce a market leading modelling and rendering package and are leaving high-end animation to others. This is a shame as form•Z 3.0 out strips other packages like 3D Studio Max and Cinema 4D when it comes to modelling complex geometry..." David Kropp, vice president for development, commented that "this statement is very true, and although we have not reached any final decisions, we are evaluating how deeply involved we want to become in the development of animation at a higher level."

The review also concentrates on the enhancements the program offers in the areas of rendering in both RenderZone and RadioZity, citing "the ability to capture rendered surfaces as textures" as being "very useful for capturing radiosity rendering and multi- layer texturing."

The review concludes that "if you want to model on the Mac or PC... you won't find a more comprehensive application anywhere. It's true when they say "if you can imagine the shape you can build it in form•Z 3.0."


Press release

March 12, 1999

"...you won't find a more comprehensive application anywhere." Richard Spöhrer, Macworld UK, April 99

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Columbus, Ohio, March 12, 1999 - British magazines brought the first two reviews of form•Z 3.0, and the developers could not be more pleased with the positive evaluation that this new version is receiving.

Richard Spöhrer reviewed form•Z 3.0 for Macworld UK. Chris Yessios, president of AutoDesSys, commented "We are very impressed with his insightful comments and his perceptive comprehension of the 3D tools that circulate in the market. His evaluation of the new features is very objective and extensive. If we were to add one comment it would be that the strength of AutoDesSys lies in its know-how of 3D modeling, hence our concentration in that field. Walkthrough animation is indeed elementary when compared to the sophistication form•Z brings to the modeling arena. However, it should be looked at as a visualization complement to a comprehensive modeling environment." He also added that he was particularly pleased with the recognition that "form•Z outstrips other packages like 3D Studio Max and Cinema 4D when it comes to modelling complex geometry..."

In his opening remarks, Mr. Spöhrer notes that form•Z 3.0 "seems worthy of more than just a dot release classification." His list of "TOP TEN FEATURES" includes: primitives with personalities; new spline drawing procedures; parametric derivatives and previews; new stairs from paths options; new pure NURBS modeling; low-resolution cages for object manipulation; customizable interface; hierarchical layers; walkthrough and fly-by animation tools; context sensitive options palette. He also praises the improvements in drafting and rendering, in particular the "ability to capture rendered surfaces as textures. He truly understands the essence of form•Z by recognizing its usefulness and appeal to designers with varying modeling needs ranging from architecture to game development.

And yes, most would probably agree with Mr. Spöhrer that "AutoDesSys has a thing with the letter Z" - nurbz, metaformz, RenderZone and RadioZity ... True to our nature we feel compelled to say how much auto·deZ·ZyZ appreciateZ the good markZ the reviewer gave form•Z 3.0, the poZitive commentZ, and the good wordZ about this product. We could not agree with him more when he sayZ "... you won't find a more comprehensive application anywhere." ThankZ.