Review: Reallusion iClone 2 Studio animation software

Possibly the biggest hit with this release is the fact that your video card renders real-time effects, such as shadows, glows and reflections, as well as sophisticated particle effects, including fire and smoke, water and 16 types of fog.

The effects are manipulable for better integration into an animated scene and fog features light attenuation for greater realism.

Once a sequence has been set up on the timeline, it can be output as HD 720p or 1080p, as well as standard resolution, and in formats suitable for internet distribution and replay on mobile handsets.

Among animators, iClone 2 is unlikely to knock E-Frontier’s Poser off its perch, or create qualms for Quidam developer N-Sided. That said, it’s cheaper than both programs and does make animation easy, whether you’re creating a movie for fun, sketching out pre-production footage or planning on using it for presentation work.

iClone is compatible with Reallusion’s Crazytalk lip-sync software, so when used in conjunction with the facial photo-mapping facility, it could prove very useful for sales and marketing types keen to make an animated impression.

At present, Vista isn't supported, but Reallusion will release a free upgrade patch this summer.

See also:
E-Frontier Poser 7
Xara Xtreme Pro
E-Frontier Anime Studio 5