Value
The new changes in V5 really focus on making the user experience better, while offering a better presentation.
With that said, there have been some changes made to how you can get ahold of Antics. In the past, you'll recall that Antics had a pretty powerful base pack, which had all the basic content with a few libraries of actors. The basepack was available for free. This is a marketing approach that has been used sucessfully by Daz3D for selling their content. However, because Antics 3D models aren't able to be used in other programs (unlike DAZ3D's models, which can be used in everything from Poser to Cinema 4D), the company decided to phase out the free version of the software and, instead, created a Home version and a Professional version. The Home version has all the basic program elements and starter libraries, but it can only be activated on one computer and it doesn't offer the ability to import into and out of other powerful programs like Google Sketchup and 3DS Max. This'll run you $145.
For the Professional version, you get two activations, Google SketchUp Warehouse Importer, .3ds, .fbx, and .bhv Importers, and the 3DS Max Exporter. This'll run you $295. This is $300 less than the previous ProPack's cost, but the version removes the lifetime ability to download free models and content from Antics 3D's website. Instead, both setups come with 6 months of free access to the Antics Content Warehouse, where you can download models, backgrounds, scenery, and the like. (For current users of Antics 3D, there is a discount in upgrading to the new packages, even if you're using the old free version.)
While these prices aren't bad, they're more expensive than Reallusion's iClone 3 Professional (a competitor which is just as easy to use, although not quite as powerful as Antics 3d) and coming fairly close to the price you're paying for SmithMicro's Poser 7 (another competitor which is fairly easy to use and much more powerful). Personally, I'd like to see them drop the price on these packages to $99 for the Home version and $199 for the Professional version, as I think that would give it a more marketable price point.
When your six month subscription expires you can pick up additional model packs from the Warehouse for between $7-$20, depending on the size of the model pack and what all is included.
Final Comments
The Antics Home package is a great place to start for aspiring artists that want to get their feet wet in 3D. Logical controls and a wealth of content help make Antics 5.0 an easy choice if you are considering getting into the 3D arena, but don't want to learn to program or animate in a more sophisticated 3D program. The professional version, with added improvements in importing Google Sketch-up and 3DS Max props, is not a bad choice for professionals who can create their own assets. Either price point of $145 for the Home version or $295 for the professional version is pretty accessible to most filmmakers, regardless of their financial position. These new changes will definitely help boost the usefulness of Antics 5.0, as well as keeping the current users satisfied.
