Computer Graphics World

4 September 2009 Apple Updates Final Cut Studio PRODUCT: VIDEO Apple has upgraded its Final Cut Studio with more than 100 new features, and unveiled new versions of Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack Pro, Color, and Compressor. Final Cut Studio features Final Cut Pro 7, which boasts new versions of Apple's ProRes codecs, expanded support of virtually any workfl ow, Easy Export for one-step output to various formats, and iChat Theater support for real-time collaboration. Motion 4 sports such enhanced tools as 3D shadows, refl ections, and depth of fi eld for motion graphics and visual effects, whereas Soundtrack Pro 3 streamlines audio post- production with new multi- track audio tools. Color 1.5 offers improved integration with Final Cut Pro and support for full- color resolution. Compressor 3.5 adds new features for easily setting up and customizing export options. The new Final Cut Studio is priced at $999 and is available as an upgrade for $299. Apple also introduced Final Cut Server 1.5, an asset management and automation tool for Final Cut Studio that features offl ine editing with ProRes Proxy, production hierarchies to organize media, and support for still sequences to view and manage image sequences for graphics and effects workfl ows. Final Cut Server now includes unlimited client licenses and is available for $999 or as a $299 upgrade for existing users. PRODUCT: MULTIMEDIA Adobe Systems announced two new Flash Platform open- source initiatives for developers, media companies, and publishers. The Adobe Flash Platform is a complete system of integrated tools, frameworks, clients, and servers for the development of Web applications, content, and video that run consistently across operating systems and devices. Open Source Media Framework (OSMF), part of the project previously code named Strobe, enables developers to quickly and easily build more robust, feature-rich media players opti- mized for the Adobe Flash Platform. The Text Layout Frame- work (TLF), meanwhile, will help developers bring sophisticat- ed typography capabilities to Web applications. Both OSMF and TLF are freely available as open-source software, helping content owners extend their online media efforts as they look to create new business opportunities and monetization strate- gies for publishing on the Web. The OSMF architecture enables developers to easily create unique playback experiences that can leverage plug-ins for advertising, reporting metrics, and content delivery, along with standard video-player features such as playback controls, video navigation, buffering, and dynamic streaming. As part of this initiative, Akamai has joined Adobe to advance the industry toward a widely adopted, cohesive standard for media players that support Adobe Flash Platform technologies. Akamai and Adobe are collaborating on the Open Video Player initiative, previously founded by Akamai, and the release of OSMF technologies. The goal is to ensure a consistent frame- work for media player development that enables developers, publishers, content owners, corporations, and others to more quickly and easily build new video players that create and sustain profi table new business models. By providing all the compo- nents for media player development, the combined efforts will help strengthen the industry shift toward open standards. Meanwhile, TLF goes beyond what is possible for Web text layout using HTML and CSS technologies today, with support for complex languages, bidirectional text, multi-columns, and other advanced typographical features and controls. TLF is an extensible ActionScript library built on top of the text engine in Adobe Flash Player 10 and Adobe AIR 1.5. Source code and a component library for TLF are available as open source at no charge under the Mozilla Public License at http://open- source.adobe.com/wiki/display/tlf/. Adobe Releases F lash Platform as Open Source

• Cover