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Illustrator 3D Folding

Strata Enfold 3D CX is much more than just folding technology.

Print-ready designs can then be sent for production or can be used for one-off designs and mock-ups. They can then export the finished 3D model to the Strata 3D CX Suite for further design work and visualisation if desired.

StradaStrata Enfold 3D CX is much more than just folding technology. Enfold 3D adds two new tools to the tool palette, offers sophisticated distribution technology to deal with graphics crossing folded edges, includes two palettes for 3D and fold control, and several commands streamlining the 3D design process. Strata Enfold 3D CX puts the power of 3D directly into Adobe Illustrator CS3 and CS4. Users can define areas to print, cut and fold and interactively fold one or more creases using the Fold dialogue to see their design become 3D in real-time. Users can also make adjustments and see changes immediately in the Enfold 3D View palette.

Users don't have to start with a purpose-built folding design. They can take existing art, whether originally intended for folding or not, and take it to the next level. This includes greeting cards, boxes, packaging, point of purchase designs and more. Users who have ever worked on a folded box design in Illustrator know that some panels will have artwork running up to down, down to up and even upside down. Working on this art -- particularly in context of the individual panel -- can be a real challenge. Strata Enfold 3D CX lets users simply double click on the desired panel in the 3D View palette to zoom and rotate the Illustrator art board to that same panel.

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Probably the most important feature in Enfold 3D is the Distribute feature. If users have ever attempted to workout a folded design that requires art to match-up across folds, they know what a challenge that can be. Strata Enfold 3D CX automates this difficult design task. With Enfold 3D, users don't have to guess or do time consuming physical mock-ups just to work out the design details. A design completed in Adobe Illustrator and Strata Enfold 3D CX will be ready to print and fold in the real world.

Printing and folding aren't the user's only output options. They can also export the 3D model for using in applications like Strata Design 3D CX. From there, their design can be replicated for palette and POP visualisations, photo matched to see how their design will look in a specific location, and "beauty shots" created before any inventory is available.

Powered by Strata's award winning photo-real rendering technology, Strata Design 3D CX 6 is ideal for illustration, consumer product design, environmental design, motion graphics and interactive design. With an interface that Adobe users will recognise, Strata Design 3D CX connects to a user's design toolset with file linking to Photoshop, import of Illustrator files and even exporting to Flash with the Vector 3D plug-in. Powerful spline and subdivision surface modelling gives users the power they need to create virtually any form. Sophisticated texturing control lets users apply surfaces in a variety of ways. Control over lighting and scene composition lets users set up their image or animation for the perfect shot.

folding boxStrata Design 3D CX is the essential tool for creative professionals that want to add the power of 3D to their toolset. The new product follows Adobe UI standards, from the look and layout of the interface, to the way the tools work and even details like hotkey assignment. Interoperability is also a key part of Design 3D with the ability to read in Adobe files including .psd, .eps, .ai and .pdf formats.

Design 3D CX comes with six plug-ins for Photoshop to connect users directly to their favourite image application. These include Match for photograph perspective matching, Model Edit for editing 3D model layers, Model New for creating new models for 3D layers, Render for generating photorealistic multi-layered renderings, TexturePaint for round-trip surface painting on 3D objects, and TextureMaker for creating multi-layered texture files for sophisticated surface creation.

Projects start from client supplied content, stock art or designs from another department or shop. In the world of 3D the same thing can be true, only users don't have the benefit of established standards the way they do in the 2D world. Strata Design 3D CX takes the stress out of importing third party 3D models with a host of filters and options for letting users get right to work.

In Photoshop and Illustrator there are two main ways to create designs: pixels and paths/splines. Strata Design 3D CX provides an analogous approach using polygons and splines. Just as a user's favourite 2D design applications give them a host of tools to create, manipulate and transform these designs, so does Design 3D. Once users have their 3D model in place, Strata Design 3D CX gives them powerful tools to apply surface texture to get the look they desire, whether it's real-world surface effects or a polished brand-specific design.

Strata Enfold boxScene composition is critical to getting the image a user wants and Strata Design 3D CX makes it easy to control the environment. Users can position their objects, place lights, reflection panels, cameras, backgrounds, reflection elements and more. Strata is legendary for its rendering technology and in this latest version of Strata Design 3D CX the rendering engine has been taken to a whole new level. Faster and easier to control with more effects like photon-based lighting, both established features like depth-of-field blur, motion blur and particle effects and new options are all up to four times faster than before.

Strata Enfold 3D CX

Macintosh Demo : enfoldILLCS3CS4.dmg - FTP (201.0 MB)
Macintosh Demo : enfoldILLCS3CS4.dmg - HTTP (201.0 MB)
Windows Demo : enfoldILLCS3CS4.zip - FTP (207.6 MB)
Windows Demo : demoswin/enfoldILLCS3CS4.zip - HTTP (207.6 MB)

Also see: Strata 3D CX Suite v2.0 A suite of Strata Design 3D CX 6.0, Strata Enfold 3D CX, Strata Foto 3D CX 2.0, Strata Live 3D CX 2 Packages

EskoArtwork is the world's leader in professional package design and manufacturing technology. EskoArtwork develops software, hardware and print machinery as well as top level service and training to major brands and production companies worldwide.

Both Strata Enfold 3D CX and Strata Design 3D CX are available through XChange UK via electronic delivery worldwide. To order, or for more information, users can visit www.xchangeuk.com, or call on +44(0)845 259 0255 during UK business hours. Email address is info@xchangeuk.com.

 

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