Left Angle releases Autograph 2024.04
Left Angle has released Autograph 2024.04, the latest version of its content creation and compositing tool for motion design and visual effects.
The update adds new tools for animating objects along motion paths, for distributing objects in the viewport, and experimental support for standard 3D file formats like FBX, glTF and OBJ.
An alternative to After Effects for motion graphics and VFX work
Released last year, Autograph is pitched as a next-gen tool for motion design and VFX.
Like After Effects, it uses a layer-based compositing model, with its timeline featuring a standard layer stack and dope sheet, but combines it with a 3D mode for manipulating 3D assets.
3D workflow is based around Universal Scene Description, and the software has its own integrated real-time physically based renderer, Filament.
Autograph sells itself on ease of use, with its system of Generators pitched as a simpler alternative to a node graph, and Modifiers described as a simpler alternative to expressions.
However, its major claim is to be the “first responsive design video software”, with a workflow geared towards artists who need to deliver a project at multiple resolutions and aspect ratios.
New workflows for animating objects along motion paths
Autograph 2024.04 adds new features for animating objects along motion paths,.
Users can reshape paths by dragging control points, while a Motion Path tool makes it possible to adjust keyframes directly in the viewport.
The software’s Retime Graph can be used to control the rate at which an object moves along a path, with users able to choose from over 40 interpolation types.
New Layout tool aligns and distributed objects in the viewport
The update also adds a new Layout tool for arranging objects in the viewport, with standard control options for aligning, evenly distributing, or mirroring them.
The software’s text tools get new interpolation and easing modes for text animation, and the option to use fonts that are not installed locally by dragging TTF or OTF files into the Project Panel.
There are also new modifiers, including Film Grain and Trigger Animation.
Workflow improvements and pipeline integration
Workflow improvements include a new Overview Panel and Project Tree for navigating the Generators and Modifiers in a composition, and a quick access menu for adding new ones.
It is also now possible to copy and paste parameters between items in the Project Panel.
In addition, Autograph now has beta support for standard 3D files formats other than USD: the software now has importers for glTF, FBX, OBJ, STL and PLY files.
Price and system requirements
Autograph is compatible with Windows 10+, Ubuntu 22.04+ and RHEL/Rocky Linux 8+, and macOS 10.15+. The software supports Apple Silicon processors natively on macOS 11.0+.
Perpetual licences of Autograph Creator, for users with annual revenue under $1 million/year, cost $945; rental costs $35/month or $315/year.
Perpetual licences of Autograph Studio cost $1,795; rental costs $59/month or $599/year.
Read a full list of new features in Autograph 2024.04 in the online release notes
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