Strata (http://www.strata.com) has released two applications that
plug-in to Adobe’s Illustrator and Photoshop applications. Strata
Design 3D CX connects to Photoshop with six plug-ins as well as being
a stand-alone application.
Strata Enfold 3D CX (US$695) is a multi-featured plug-in for
Illustrator that adds a 3D view palette, two new tools and a host of
menu commands focused on folding print designs. In this latest
version of Strata Design 3D CX the rendering engine is faster, easier
to control and has more effects like photon-based lighting — along
with established features like depth-of-field blur, motion blur and
particle effects, according to the folks at Strata. Also, there’s a
new interface that Adobe users will recognize.
The Strata Design 3D CX upgrade includes several “connect to
Photoshop” features, as well as other enhancements to the 3D
application. Working in concert with these new Strata Design 3D CX
features, the upgrade also includes six Photoshop plug-ins.
Strata has also released Strata Enfold 3D CX (also $695). Powered by
technology developed by EskoArtwork, Strata Enfold 3D CX creates
folded 3D designs directly in Adobe Illustrator. Users can link
Photoshop graphics applied to 2D Illustrator artwork, define die-cut
lines and folding scores, and then see it in 3D directly in
Illustrator. Print-ready designs can then be sent for production and
the file can be exported for further use in Strata Design 3D CX or
other products that can import a U3D file.
