iClone 2.0

Reallusion’s iClone software isn’t that well known in the UK, but following a recent distribution deal with Amazon.co.uk, this impressive 3D program will hopefully start to gain the attention it deserves.

iClone combines elements of both Poser and Bryce to provide a complete 3D graphics and animation studio. An iClone project consists of one or more human figures within a 3D environment. You can customise every aspect of the project using the ready-made templates, or by using various editing tools, which give you a more precise control over the graphics and animation.

So if you don’t like the basic female figure, there by default, you can click on the Avatar tab at the top of the screen and the Library panel on the right-hand side will display the various figure templates available. The variety of male and female figures come with different sets of clothing, such as business suits and beachwear, and you can further customise by modifying individual body parts, or by adding accessories ranging from sunglasses to a flaming sword (complete with animated particle effects). One nice touch Reallusion has added is the ability to import photos of people’s faces. You can then map them on to figures within iClone to personalise your project.

Once you’ve got your figures set up you can click on the Animation, Scene or SFX tabs to add further elements to your scene, such as the interior of a cathedral, a virtual newsroom, or a grassy outdoor landscape. You can then add a selection of props, such as furniture, or even animated plant life that sways gently in the breeze.

You can animate your human figures very quickly by selecting the animation templates that include all the movements you may need. And, as with all aspects of iClone, you can easily customise these for more detailed animation. In the case of adding a movement to your figure, you can find the timeline control by opening the Motion Editor module.

Using the templates makes it easy to quickly create detailed 3D scenes and animations, and while iClone can’t match the photorealist graphics of programs such as Maya, it’s a great tool for beginners of 3D animation, or for more experienced designers to use when creating storyboards or quick visualisations.

However, iClone does have a few rough edges. The program doesn’t have a conventional Edit menu for standard commands such as Copy and Paste, or Undo. The lack of a proper Undo is particularly annoying because there’s no quick way to undo any changes you make.

The program’s documentation is also rather unhelpful, especially when it comes to more complex features such as the Motion Editor. It tends to merely list features, rather than giving you an overview of how they work together within a project. To be fair, iClone is a bargain at just £99, but a little more attention to the interface and documentation would make it easier to work with.