LOS ANGELES - Sega Animanium, a 3D character animation software used by animation studios and videogame developers in Japan, is now available to enthusiasts in "lite" version. USA Index Corporation, the US subsidiary of Japan-based Index Corporation and licensee of Animanium, has released Animanium Express, featuring a suggested retail price of $99. Animanium Express offers most of the features of the full version of Sega Animanium, but is limited to no more than 180 frames. It also does not offer the automatic clean-up function.
"Animanium Express enables amateur professionals to experience Sega Animanium at a fraction of the cost of the full-version of the product," says Sam Okamoto, president of USA Index Corporation. "We wanted to create an entry point for prosumers who are looking to improve their ability to create animation."
USA Index Corporation is also offering a free trial version of Animanium, which can also be downloaded at the Animanium Web site (www.animanium.com).
Animanium is designed to reduce the cost and time involved in creating realistic human movement by replacing the need for motion capture technology and cutting time spent on programming. The software integrates with leading animation programs, including 3DS Max/Character Studio and Alias Maya.