Field Artist 

These are some of the new features available now in version 3.11:

  • There is a Tilt animation available for cast members and 3D props.
  • You can now create custom animated poses for cast members.
  • The overall shape of bodies has been improved.
  • You can now preview all cast animations when you add them, not just flag moves.

 

More Field Artist features:

  • High definition videos of your shows can be captured with sound from within Field Artist. The aspect ratio is automatically set to the best dimensions for YouTube.
  • TheFlag Machine feature makes it easy to add complex, flowing flag moves, including the ability to exchange flags by throwing them to other performers.
  • Shading is used to indicate the order of cast member selection, and the selected order is used for many commands.
  • Editable fabric skins let you design detailed custom uniforms for your cast.
  • Customizable flag with a library of flag texture images.
  • It is possible to use custom images for your field.
  • Print coordinate charts on compact and handy pagelets (quarter-pages).
  • Customizable 3D props are included. You can customize the size and appearance of the built-in 3D props with images and colors. You can also design your own unique 3D props using Calder4D (available on this website).
  • Automatic Crab Step animation for percussion cast.
  • Turn, Tilt and Fly animation options.
  • Free forms with keyboard commands for arranging cast.
  • You can create forms from selected cast using a right click.
  • Automatic or custom placement of captions on drill charts.
  • The ability to design and import your own custom 3D instruments.
  • Camera animations can be programmed to happen in True View.
  • Mouse wheel support for TrueView camera movements.
  • The undo feature has been improved, and you can view a list of your command history.
  • True View ( Ctrl + X ) features a true 3D interface similar to a video game with shading, textures, scenery and vivid animation, uniforms and instruments modeled in 3D ( see pictures ).
  • Flag and rifle movements can be programmed into your shows using a simple interface.  Horn positions, mark time, facing directions, backwards marching and more are available in True View.
  • Flags and uniforms for True View can be easily customized using designers built in to the program.
  • Both Bezier curves and Hermite curves are available for creating curved forms.
  • Free Forms make it easy to implement scatter drills. 
    Cast members on Free Forms can be arranged into circles, arcs, lines, blocks etc. using keystroke commands.
  • Drawing tools include line, rectangle, polygons, 2 kinds of curves, ellipses, 2 kinds of arcs, block formations, free forms, and an optional snap grid for alignment.
  • You can change the field size and field line placement and appearance.  Built in sizes are included for football, indoor guard, and more, or you can define your own custom sizes.
  • Editing tools feature rollover highlighting to allow easier selection and positioning of cast, forms, and objects.
  • Transitions include float, pivot, follow the leader, and custom paths.  Transitions can begin and end on any step of the show.
  • Transition paths (both past and future) are optionally displayed, and they appear in a contrasting highlight color when the maximum step size has been exceeded.
  • Viewing options include an overhead chart view, and editable draft 3d view, True View (textures, scenery and true dimensional figures similar to a video game ) zoom, pan, and rotate to see the show from all camera angles. History panels allow instant access to any show picture. An overview with interactive timeline allows easy insertion of steps.
  • Animate your show to an internal timer or to audio or MIDI songs.  Rewind / Play / Step / Picture buttons allow access to any step in the show.  For making video-like demos, you can even include optional automatic camera angle changes within your show. 
  • You can define properties and name of every cast member.  Cast members can be viewed as icons or as letter or numeric symbols.  You can define different colors for every cast member.  Cast members can be assigned to group sections and given different uniforms.
  • Editing tools include selection pointers, cast shifting tool, lasso select, tape measure tool, cast sorting commands, forms cloning and alignment, and more.
  • You can edit the show (draw / resize forms, assign and move cast members ) while in 3D mode and from any vantage point.
  • You can draw custom transition paths for cast members to follow.
  • You can change uniform colors or even draw your own custom uniforms within the program.
  • Uniform change lists are an included feature.  During animation, you can make each cast member's uniform and equipment change on any step, which allows you to depict horns up / down, flag positions, cymbal flashes, rifle tosses, and more.
  • You can print show charts, cast list, and detailed step instructions for each cast member.
  • A built-in hypertext help file is included.  Follow this link to read the Field Artist help file.