iClone is a name that is truly starting to get noticed in the low budget 3D animation circles. Originally its animation abilities were too simple to be considered by many filmmakers, even ones using the slightly higher-priced alternative of Poser. However, now with the release of iClone 2.0Studio, and last year’s release of iClone 1.5, some additional features come into play which make iClone more attractive to new 3D animators and filmmakers who don’t want to go through as much complexity to get 3D animated results.
Despite its less complicated setup, if you read last year’s review of iClone 1.5, you doubtless noticed some of the limitations that we brought up: a low number of 3D models available, hack-like requirement to use multiple models in the same scene, no ability to import 3D models from other programs, limited control of accessory placement on your models, stability issues, and internet connectivity required to activate the software.
So, now with release iClone 2.0, have these issues been improved? Yes and no.
While about half of the issues have been addressed, some of the more pressing ones have been ignored in favor of adding new features. Reallusion has released three versions of iClone in the last two years, which is about triple the speed of most manufacturers who tend to release one new version, every two years. It appears that the breakneck release schedule has caused Reallusion to focus more on adding flash and sizzle to the program, rather than sorting out the problems that have developed along the way. Though fixing past problems does not usually seem like a great way to sell a bunch of copies of your software, it does do a lot to ensure customer loyalty. Reallusion is going to have to focus on that fact in order for its franchise to become further adopted by the 3D animation community.
With that said, let’s delve more deeply into Reallusion’s software package.
iClone's face mapping feature is still one of the easiest to use, second only to Reallusion's other animation program, CrazyTalk 4.5.
Ease of Use
The overall simplicity of use is still quite high in iClone 2 Studio, with arguably the easiest animation workflow in existence. You add your model to your creation, export into the improved Motion Editor, and design your overall animated sequence easily. When you’re done, you can sync in audio track data and set up lip sync. Like last year’s iClone 1.5, you can import CrazyTalk timelines with the more precise face mapping, facial control, and sync capabilities.
The new features of iClone 2.0 are all just as easy to access as the more established features, including the new RealTime particle effects engine and the new G2 models. Additionally, the new 3DXchange program is actually very simple to use, as long as you have all your textures converted properly and in the right location when you import them in.
One improvement, in ease of use, is an expanded tool menu at the left hand side of the screen. This feature gives more access to the various options in one place and also acts a bit like a sidebar menu in a web page, which speeds up navigation a bit. It is a definite improvement over the one in iClone 1.5 and I would like to see this further expanded into a full, Windows-like toolbar, at the top of the screen, similar to the one used in iClone’s 3DXchange and Motion Editor.
