Autodesk, a company that focuses on 3D design software for use in architecture, engineering and building construction, manufacturing, and media and entertainment, has released a mew Mac app called Motion FX.
Available immediately from the Mac App Store, Motion FX lets you create real-time video effects using your computer’s camera.
Autodesk generally sells professional software, and professional software is generally expensive.
But that’s not the case with Autodesk’s Motion FX. It’s not professional, but damn’ fun to use, and it’s not expensive. In fact, it’s free.
Autodesk explains that you can “Simply select your favorite preset effect, and create an incredible visual experience by moving in front of your computer’s camera. A preset cycling mode lets you automatically cycle through effects without lifting a finger. You can also use the Face Tracking technology of OS X Lion to emit effects from any faces visible to your camera,” the company states.
It’s fun enough to stretch your face and look stupid, but you can also take quick photos and share them with your friends.
You won’t think much of Motion FX until you actually see people’s reactions to it.
A Color Detection feature lets you select a color from the live camera feed from which to emit effects. Effect Paint lets you play with fluids using your trackpad or mouse, and you can distort live video using your mouse or trackpad in Video Warp mode.
Autodesk lists the following key features for their Motion FX app.
1. Over 80 presets from Smoke, to Fire, to Rainbow Plasma, react in real-time to your movements
2. Powered by Academy Award®* winning real-time fluid dynamics technology from Autodesk® Maya® software
3. Effects can be displayed alone or composited on top of live video from your computer’s camera
4. Cycle mode lets you dance and play while Motion FX seamlessly transitions from effect to effect, creating an endless swirling masterpiece
5. 5 Modes:
- Motion Detect – Effects are created based on motion detected by your computer’s camera
- Face Detect – Emit effects from all visible faces
- Color Detect – Choose the color to emit effects from the video feed
- Effect Paint – Paint effects using your mouse or trackpad
- Video Warp – Warp live video using your mouse or trackpad
6. Save snapshots to your Pictures folder by tapping the spacebar
7. Support for Mac OS X Lion Full-Screen mode
8. Hook up multiple cameras and switch between them
9. Support for multiple displays lets VJs and performance artists use one display for control and another for projection to an audience
10. Animated thumbnails allow you to preview each effect.
Download Motion FX for Mac OS X (Free)
Enjoy your Lion with Motion FX 1.0..
