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Software News   Software News : DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
   posted by DiscreetFX on 18-Dec-2007 0:45:53 (5792 reads)
On December 17, 2007, DiscreetFX completed the acquisition of Aladdin 4D from Nova Design for an undisclosed sum of money. All remaining inventory of the current version is being shipped to DiscreetFX and Nova Design will no longer be selling this application. DiscreetFX is a leading developer of 3D digital video effects technology. This acquisition extends DiscreetFX's reach into 3D software development in the hobbist and beginner 3D animation industries. This also marks the first time DiscreetFX 100% controls an application. Before today we were always a 3rd party developer for other companies.



Aladdin 4D was a leading 3D animation program on the Classic Amiga platform and sold over 18,000 units on Amiga OS alone. DiscreetFX will breath new life into this application and release a new version on the following platforms.

Amiga OS 4.0 - For the first time Amiga OS 4.0 customers will have a professional PowerPC native application for their operating system to show off it's true potential. With the exception of Pagestream 5.0 Pro and Hollywood the amount of current professional commercial applications is very limited. There are no native 3D applications for OS 4.0, other Amiga developers left long ago for more lucrative platforms or went out of business.

AROS - For the first time AROS customers will have a professional native 3D animation application for their operating system to show off it's true potential. AROS has never had any commercial 3D software released for it.

MorphOS 2.0 - If a new version of MorphOS ships then a native version will also be produced for this exciting operating system. For the first time MorphOS 2.0 customers will have a professional PowerPC native 3D animation application for their operating system to show off it's true potential.

Mac OS X - Aladdin 4D has a rich heritage on the Amiga platform but never reached it's full potential since it was limited only to Amiga customers. The OS X version of Aladdin 4D will take full advantage of Core Animation/Core Image on Mac OS and should give Mac customers a new, fast and unique animation program to learn 3D and enjoy.

Linux - We are strongly considering doing a version for Linux but the expectation of open source and completely free software may hinder this release. Linux customers will have to show us a demand, then we don't mind supporting them.

Windows - DiscreetFX will never sell a version of Aladdin 4D for Windows but a free version will be included with each purchase of A4D for other platforms. DiscreetFX dares to admit what other developers keep to themselves. That Windows is an old legacy code garbage operating system that should be abandon. The failure of Windows Vista in the marketplace only goes to show that Windows days are numbered. The Windows version of Aladdin 4D will not be free but included as a bonus to support customers that may still temperately be using Windows. It will support the industry standard OpenGL and not lock in technology's like DirectX.

Other versions of Aladdin 4D will take advantage of OpenGL or whatever accelerated graphics technology is available on the host operating system. In order for Amiga OS 4.0 and other Amiga type systems to succeed a developer has to take the risk and release professional software to breath new life into OS4.0/AROS/MorphOS. DiscreetFX is willing to take that lead and work hard to reestablish a market. We welcome competition and hope that other developers will also return to the platform and create fresh new software ideas/releases.

Nova Designs CEO stated, we are happy to have reached a mutual agreement with DiscreetFX and have selected them because we feel they will give Aladdin 4D a great exciting future and will add cool new features.

A message to current Aladdin 4D owners. Be happy your 3D program of choice will not die and has a great future!


The following is a very quick FAQ that will try to cover the most common questions users may have about this acquisition.



1. Will the current Amiga version remain available?

A: Yes, the current version will remain available from DiscreetFX instead of Nova Design.


2. Will the price of Aladdin 4D be going up?

A: Not on the current version but for later versions yes.


3. What about the effort to make Aladdin 4D open source?

A: DiscreetFX also donated to the Open Aladdin effort and was hoping it would succeed. DiscreetFX derived no benefit from donations to this effort but any donators should contact DiscreetFX with your paypal receipt and we will work to accommodate you.


4. What about Aladdin's Lamp newsletter?

A: It will return shortly with a new issue on the DiscreetFx website. All back issues will appear there as well.


5. Why is DiscreetFX getting in the 3D animation software business?

A: We feel there is a need in the lower cost and easy to use beginner's market. This market is currently not being served.


6. Will Aladdin 4D complete with high-end applications like LightWave 3D or Cinema 4D?

A: No Aladdin 4D is a lower end beginners product. In fact once the new version is available DiscreetFX will give buyers a $50 cash back voucher if they buy LightWave 3D within one year of buying Aladdin 4D. Also, we are considering making Aladdin 4D a Lightwave 3D plug-in.


7. Will Aladdin 4D still support the Amiga Video Toaster?

A: Of course, that is one of it's strengths.


8. When will a new version be available.

A: We are still in the process of reviewing source code but rough estimates are 6-12 months. The source code is very portable.

Stay tuned... more information is coming soon.

About DiscreetFX

DiscreetFX has been creating software products for the Amiga, video editing, computer generated graphics (CGI) industry since 1995. The Amiga computer defined and created the video editing, computer graphics market when it went on sale in 1985. The acquisition of Aladdin 4D expands DiscreetFX's portfolio into 3D animation software.
    

STORYID: 4113
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PosterThread
$adddam 
Re: DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
Posted on 18-Dec-2007 2:23:34
#1 ]
Regular Member
Joined: 24-May-2006
Posts: 194
From: magyarorszag /=hungary/

great "news"!
go discreetfx, go!:)
it was a great read, i liked the windows part the best:)))

anyway i have to point it out, that it wont be the first time for morphos to have a native 3d software. blender is already running on morphos. and its professional too.
nevermind.

thanks for your efforts for the amiga-scene!

happy x-mas Bill P.!

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DiscreetFX 
Re: DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
Posted on 18-Dec-2007 2:34:50
#2 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 12-Feb-2003
Posts: 2495
From: Chicago, IL

I know about Blender, Aladdin 4D is a commercial & native PowerPC 3D software first for MorphOS. The next version of course. The big question is when and if the next version of MorphOS will be coming out.

Last edited by DiscreetFX on 18-Dec-2007 at 02:49 AM.
Last edited by DiscreetFX on 18-Dec-2007 at 02:43 AM.
Last edited by DiscreetFX on 18-Dec-2007 at 02:35 AM.


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jahc 
Re: DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
Posted on 18-Dec-2007 2:56:01
#3 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 30-May-2003
Posts: 2959
From: Auckland, New Zealand

Sounds great, Bill. I hope you can bring it up to speed for those of us who arent on OS3 any longer.
EDIT: I'm not really a gfx person, or a person that buys software just to support developers, but this is one program I'd buy just to support the developer. And maybe I could finally implement the spaceship fighting movie I always wanted to make.

Last edited by jahc on 18-Dec-2007 at 04:13 AM.

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CodeSmith 
Re: DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
Posted on 18-Dec-2007 4:00:05
#4 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 8-Mar-2003
Posts: 3045
From: USA

@discreetfx:

Congratulations, and thank you for having the courage to take the reins!

I respectfully disagree with your opinion of Windows, but that market is pretty saturated anyway. It's probably a sound business decision to stay away for the time being.

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Manu 
Re: DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
Posted on 18-Dec-2007 7:59:17
#5 ]
Super Member
Joined: 4-Feb-2004
Posts: 1561
From: Unknown

@DiscreetFX

Very good news. I'm looking forward to the releases.


_________________
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hardware-intensive solutions. And they'd go faster.-- D.Haynie

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AmigaBlitter 
Re: DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
Posted on 18-Dec-2007 9:34:05
#6 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 26-Sep-2005
Posts: 3513
From: Unknown

Great! We appreciate the DiscreetFX efforts to bring new life to the OS4 software world.
Just a question: can you rub the lamp and ask to the genie how to find out a way of this stupid trial?


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ChrisH 
Re: DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
Posted on 18-Dec-2007 9:38:20
#7 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 30-Jan-2005
Posts: 6679
From: Unknown

I shall be amazed if this is actually ported to a non-Amiga-like OS (such as OS X or Windows)...


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Zorro 
Re: DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
Posted on 18-Dec-2007 16:19:34
#8 ]
Super Member
Joined: 30-Apr-2003
Posts: 1081
From: Italy

Great news !

Thanks to DiscreetFX for stealing the Lamp...


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Kicko 
Re: DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
Posted on 18-Dec-2007 16:22:33
#9 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 19-Jun-2004
Posts: 5009
From: Sweden

Sounds great and good luck :)

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spudmiga 
Re: DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
Posted on 18-Dec-2007 17:19:29
#10 ]
Cult Member
Joined: 12-Dec-2002
Posts: 855
From: England, United Kingdom

What about OS 3 for the many who don't have PPC?


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ssolie 
Re: DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
Posted on 18-Dec-2007 17:26:40
#11 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 10-Mar-2003
Posts: 2755
From: Alberta, Canada

Quote:
What about OS 3 for the many who don't have PPC?

Keep banging those rocks together boys and soon you'll have fire figured out...


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AmigaClyde 
Re: DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
Posted on 18-Dec-2007 17:46:44
#12 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 8-Mar-2003
Posts: 2007
From: Noranda Canada

Excellent news for the Amiga community.


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µA1-C 750GX@800 using OS4.1

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logicalheart 
Re: DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
Posted on 18-Dec-2007 20:08:05
#13 ]
Cult Member
Joined: 2-Dec-2003
Posts: 696
From: Sandy, Utah. USA

Quote:
What about OS 3 for the many who don't have PPC?


If you're not using OS4 after Aladdin is updated a year from now, ask the question then.


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DiscreetFX 
Re: DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
Posted on 19-Dec-2007 6:46:36
#14 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 12-Feb-2003
Posts: 2495
From: Chicago, IL

The Wikipedia entry for Aladdin 4D has been updated to reflect the acquisition.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aladdin4D


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Srbin 
Re: DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
Posted on 19-Dec-2007 13:02:03
#15 ]
Regular Member
Joined: 11-Dec-2004
Posts: 407
From: Serbia

This sounds so unbelievable; investing money in dying amiga market? Damn, my C learning is definitelly going to amiga :)

I am interested; will new alladin4D have MUI or old GUI interface?
Did you contact BBRV and tried to change the computer world, but in joint forces? They are amiga freaks like all of us :)


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DiscreetFX 
Re: DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
Posted on 19-Dec-2007 14:43:47
#16 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 12-Feb-2003
Posts: 2495
From: Chicago, IL

@Srbin


This is not set in stone 100% but it will probably use MUI like the new Pagestream 5.0 Pro does.


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Gav 
Re: DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
Posted on 20-Dec-2007 2:32:58
#17 ]
Regular Member
Joined: 13-Nov-2002
Posts: 125
From: Unknown

This is good news and i think i'll order a copy for my 1200,one thing though,can you buy lightwave 3D for the amiga anymore???Dont see it anywhere.

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DiscreetFX 
Re: DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
Posted on 20-Dec-2007 3:18:15
#18 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 12-Feb-2003
Posts: 2495
From: Chicago, IL

The Amiga version of Lightwave stopped development and availability over 10 years ago I'm sad to report.


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Fab 
Re: DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
Posted on 22-Dec-2007 22:31:50
#19 ]
Super Member
Joined: 17-Mar-2004
Posts: 1178
From: Unknown

DiscreetFx,

Quote:

I know about Blender, Aladdin 4D is a commercial & native PowerPC 3D software first for MorphOS. The next version of course. The big question is when and if the next version of MorphOS will be coming out.


Can you tell us why MorphOS *2.0* would be required for Aladdin 4D, please? Morphos is the only one that may not deserve a port because it's the only one to already fulfill Aladdin 4D requirements or what? And er, do you plan to develop (or complete) OpenGL for AROS and OS4 yourself?

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DiscreetFX 
Re: DiscreetFX Rubs the Lamp
Posted on 22-Dec-2007 22:54:10
#20 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 12-Feb-2003
Posts: 2495
From: Chicago, IL

Fab please don't read too much into that. Aladdin 4D will not require MorphOS 2.0. That was just a little jab from us since it is still not available. If you have version 1.4 and above it will work fine.


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