Strata 3D CX is a most remarkable 3D rendering software. Strata 3D CX fits into the workflow with the new features like polyspline modeling, live linking to Adobe files, high dynamic range lighting and more. Push your 2D files into a virtural environment, set up lighting, apply textures and take a perfect, photo-real picture. One of the features is the Polyspline SDS modeler. Polysplines are based on subdivision surface (SDS) technology that uses a polygon "cage" object to produce the finished geometry within.
This page will give you an idea of the key features of Strata 3D CX and the system requirements of Strata 3D CX.
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PolySpline modeling consists of two different tools that can be used together, or in conjunction, to produce complex organic and mechanical shapes in Strata 3D. The first addition is a powerful new polygonal editor that lets you extrude, bevel, rotate and scale each face, edge, or vertice of a 3D object. Once you have a rough approximation of the shape, you then apply the second tool: subdivide.
Subdividing a polygonal shape in Strata smooths out all the rough edges into a flowing, seamless shape. You can go back to the rough cage and continue to model while whatching the smoothed version update in real time.
Now you can use .PSD files from PhotoShop without converting them to PICT or TIFF files. Several new workflow enhancements come along with the new texture format support: Live Updates and Layer Linking.
With Live Updates from PSD textures, Strata 3D no longer stores the texture within the Strata 3D file, but links to the file on your hard drive. Whenever you make a change to the texture, and save the file, Strata 3D can track the changes you've made, and update the texture automatically. Once you've loaded a texture into a model, you can make as many changes to it as you like, and watch the results in 3D!
With Layer Linking, you can edit several channels in one PhotoShop file. The color channel in one layer, bump in another specular in another, etc. When you load the file into a Strata 3D texture, it automatically distributes the first 12 layers of the file into the twelve texture channels in Strata 3D. You can choose to rearrange them in Strata 3D, or remove them from some channels. Keep all of your texture channels in one file for easy reference and quick editing.
A new file format is emerging in Computer Design circles: HDRI. An HDRI file, or High Dynamic Range Image, contains an enormous amount of color and lighting information that traditional image formats could never capture.
With HDRI support in Strata3D for .HDR and .EXR images, you can now use these images to create vibrant new textures in Strata 3D. But the advantage of HDRI images is that they contain enough information to accurately light an entire scene in stark realism.
Using the new LightDome feature in Strata 3D, you can intuitively place and manipulate an image to invisibly surround your scene, then render the image in Strata 3D's beautiful Raydiosity engine for instant photorealistic lighting and reflections.
Strata 3D can now import OBJ and FBX file formats.
OBJ has slowly become the most ubiquitous 3D file format on the market. Now it's easier than ever to open and exchange files with other members of your team, or to use models purchased online for fast turnaround.
FBX, on the other hand, is a brand new 3D format developed by Kaydara, the makers of the popular Motion Builder character animation app. FBX is the most complete file exchange format, containing geometry, textures, UV maps, lighting, and even animation. The list of applications that support the FBX format is impressive, and allows you to seamlessly import objects, animation, or entire scenes into Strata3D from other applications. Most notably, FBX is a popular format for Motion Capture files, where real human motion is translated to a 3D model for uncanny results.
Meld is a new implementation of our MetaBalls technology. But instead of being restricted to Spheres, Meld allows you to seamlessly combine any primitive or polygon objects into one smooth shape.
Many objects can be constructed with simple geometric shapes, but the transition between them is harsh and unrealistic. Meld smoothes those transitions between shapes quickly and seamlessly.