It seems this is a killer deal, getting DFX+ with two modules and the Lightwave 8 commercial upgrade for 500 dollars.
I’d like to know though… if it is worth it for someone like me, or if I should get a laptop instead.
What could I do with DFX that I couldn’t do with free tools like Gimp/Cinepaint/Virtualdub. I know, probably a LOT… but as a hobbiest 3d artist… what would I need DFX for?
I fear this is too vague… can people tell me what they use it for?
compositing, which is also what Adobe After Effects is used for. and it really pays to do multi-pass rendering on any project and composite afterwards so you can easily tweak it.
i’ve only messed around in the demo, rebuilding some old composites that were originally done in AE, but i can tell that i like Digital Fusion much, much better than After Effects.
even as a hobbiest, if you do much compositing at all of stills or animations, then i think this would be worth it. heck, even if you don’t do any compositing yet, it’d be handy to already have this around at such a cheap price for when you do start compositing.
i just hope i can get it before the deal ends.
I’m in the same boat as you milqman, deciding on whether or not to get this. Yes it’s a great deal, yes there have been rave reviews and yes, I have kicked myself for not buying the upgrade right after the offer ended the past 3 times. Whats my problem? What can DFX do for me? I am still fumbling through LW, trying to learn as much as possible to justify the need to upgrade as I have only explored about 25% of it. As far as animating? Have not even thought about it yet, thus rationalizing with my wallet that I don’t need this upgrade until I learn what I’ve got. Hey. I think I just made up my mind:hmm: Not sure if I helped you but at least you know now your not the only one in this dilema.
then this is a deal you don’t want to pass.
DFX+ is great, though dauting the first time you open up the program it makes sence after only one hour.
workflow is great
as a hobyist I can say I have played with it for hours
I got this deal, though I don’t have too much use for DFX yet. I certainly don’t regret getting it, it’s a fantastic program, and one that you’d find more and more invaluable the more you get into 3D. It can be just as useful for stills, even when your not doing animation because unlike most stills editors, it can read the RPF format. The great thing about the rpf format is that the image can contain not just alphas, but depth, motion, object names, shadows and much more. Post processing saves a hell of alot of rendering time (when you’ve got the hang of it, which I haven’t).
From my more unprofessional point of view: Digital Fusion is fantastic fun, it’s great to look through, pick an effect, mess with the sliders and go ‘Wooooooh’. :drool:
After the extension of the dfx+ deal i will upgrade my version of lw at the end of this month… After seeing the vids from siggraph, I got persuaded… Hope it is more stable than previous versions though… BTW, the new MD looks absolutelly unbelievable (main reason i am gonna upgrade)…
I went for the deal and I don’t regret it at all. Been using LW for a couple of years now so the upgrade to 8 was with out question. I’ve been compositing in AE and Combustion for some time, so jumping on to DFX was kinda scary at first. I must say, DFX is the greatest compositing app I’ve ever used…it is my compositing app from now on, and best of all, it’ll use all of my AE plugins! How cool is that?
Anyway, DFX is a great app, and if yer gonna upgrade to LW8 anyway…might as well take advantage of this great deal.
Good to hear DFX is cool 
Bought it with the upgrade, but didn’t installed yet (nice black box though) . I’m so use to AE, I’m scared :hmm:
Originally posted by Facial Deluxe
I’m so use to AE, I’m scared :hmm:
Hehe, I was too - but now I don’t think I’d be going back to AE for much (if anything at all)… Some people say that node-based compositing takes longer to do simple stuff (that you could whip up in AE in about 1 second) but I don’t think so - and it’s definitely more fun!Install it - you’ll be glad you did!
Anyone know if this is also a download version of eight or do we get manuals? just curious. would make a diffrence. BTW I have used dfx before and it does have a lot to offer that afterfx doesnt.
Originally posted by evileye
Anyone know if this is also a download version of eight or do we get manuals? just curious. would make a diffrence. BTW I have used dfx before and it does have a lot to offer that afterfx doesnt.
It’ll be the download version with pdf manuals I think - for an additional US$99, you can get the box and paper version if you want…
and a nice shiny box it is
it even contains a dvd full of video tutorials to get you started
Well, good to know. Thanks. Here is a nother Q. Is DFX upgradable to the pro version for the same price?
would the camera tracking module that comes with the DFX/LW deal take the place of program like ICARUS or Boujou Matchmover?
Evileye:
If you mean pro version as in DFX+ with all the modules, that’ll cost you US$995 - the same as Combustion. If you mean pro version as in Digital Fusion, that’ll cost you US$2995 (from DFX+ with modules 1 and 4). Check out www.eyeonline.com for more information. Oh, and for what it’s worth, eyeon’s tech support is awesome.
Originally posted by milqman
would the camera tracking module that comes with the DFX/LW deal take the place of program like ICARUS or Boujou Matchmover?
No, it’s a 2D tracker.
Install it - you’ll be glad you did!