Boris FX Introduces Calligraphy Version 2.0
Boris FX, the leading developer of integrated effects technology for video and film, today announced the upcoming release of Calligraphy version 2.0. Boris Calligraphy is a set of four Generators that will be included with the new release of Final Cut Pro. While appearing as native generators, these plugins add valuable titling features, including vector text, auto-animated rolls and crawls, type-on effects, jitter, randomization and Z-space animation including tumble and spin. Calligraphy 2.0 also adds support for Mac OS X version 10.4 “Tiger,” the fifth major version of Mac OS X.
Calligraphy’s four generators are Title 3D, Title Crawl, Vector Shape and Text Scrambler. Title 3D offers vector-based text that can be manipulated in 3D space with full pivot control, animated tracking, text fill, borders, softness, and shadows. New to this version, Title 3D now offers type-on effects. Title Crawl automatically keyframes text to roll or crawl across the screen. The text page automatically aligns and animates so that you do not have to set keyframes in the timeline.
"Creating broadcast-quality title animation for film and television directly in the Final Cut Pro timeline has never been easier," says Boris FX founder and president Boris Yamnitsky. "Calligraphy offers a perfect introduction to the power of Boris titling tools by adding two new generators to Final Cut Pro, Vector Shape and Text Scrambler.”
The new Vector Shape generator creates simple shapes to use as backdrops for text. The backdrops can include animatable borders and shadows. Text Scrambler randomizes or shuffles text characters and text styles in a variety of ways. Users can easily jitter the size, position, hue and angle of text characters.
A common Text window and Style Palette provide controls for text formatting including leading, kerning, tabs, and word wrap, as well as separate controls for fill, border, and shadow. Multiple styles may be applied to any element, including multiple styles within a single word. The exceptionally robust styles can also be saved and easily reapplied, for fast, flexible text creation.
The following improvements have been added to Calligraphy Version 2.0:
- The Title 3D generator now includes parameters to apply type-on animation to individual characters, whole words or entire lines of text.
- Two new generators provide text randomization and animatable vector text backdrops.
- Settings remain fully compatible with Calligraphy version 1.1.
- Leading can now be applied to selected lines instead of simply globally.
- The Text window now includes additional parameters and shapes when mapping a gradient to text.
"This is just the beginning of Boris title integration in Apple Final Cut Pro," says Yamnitsky. "For additional titling capabilities, users can upgrade to Boris Graffiti, which adds 3D title extrusion, mapping titles to 3D shapes, text on path, natural media generation, and tools for creating sophisticated animations with exceptional ease. Boris Red goes further still, offering EPS file extrusion and animation, a 3D particle system, and the most powerful 3D compositing available on the desktop. Both of these solutions are also accessible as generators within Final Cut Pro."
Calligraphy and other Boris solutions will be demonstrated at the National Association of Broadcasting Convention (NAB) 2005 in booth SL4045 in the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 18-21, 2005.
Pricing and Availability
Calligraphy version 2.0 is included with the latest release of Apple Final Cut Pro. Calligraphy users can upgrade to Graffiti for $249, Boris Red for $999, or the Boris Motion Graphics Pack for $1595. Try and Buy versions of all Boris solutions can be downloaded at www.borisfx.com.
About Boris FX
Founded in 1995 in Boston MA, Boris FX is the leading developer of integrated graphics and effects technology, delivering 3D compositing and vector graphic products for the broadcast, post production, film and multi-media industries. Since the company’s inception, Boris products have grown to serve over 125,000 artists worldwide. A great part of its success lies in the ability to tightly integrate and leverage technologies through strong partnerships with industry-leading manufacturers including Adobe, Apple, Avid, Canopus, Discreet, DPS, eyeon, insync, Incite, Leitch, Matrox, Media 100, Pinnacle, Quantel, Sony Pictures Digital, and Ulead. For more information visit www.borisfx.com.
