Filmmaker Tools dot com has announced the release of FrameForge™ 3D Studio. The vortal that caters exclusively to the entertainment industry claims to be get the latest technology software programs for writers, directors, producers and cameraman.

Touted as the first 3D storyboard software that simulates multi-camera control, software claims to provide new, an innovative way, for directors, filmmakers, to easily create and manipulate storyboards, claims a company release.

The release claims that the special features of the software include the creation of virtual sets and fully articulated actors that allow users to explore and experiment shot planning.

With a tagline 'Don’t Draw Storyboards. Direct Them', the FrameForge 3D is available in Windows with a Macintosh version and is scheduled for February 2004 release, says the release. The software turns storyboarding prep-work from an exercise in graphic arts into a dynamic, creative directorial experience by giving the user an easy-to-manipulate 3D virtual film set with fully posable actors, hills, trees, snap-together walls, furniture, and other elements, all of which can be dragged and dropped wherever they are needed to depict a scene.

According to the release, a storyboard created with FrameForge 3D gives cast and crew a comprehensive printed representation of the directors intentions, including the technical information required to create that shot on location. In addition, it creates a direct link from the mind of the director/filmmaker to the outside world, providing the stepping-stones leading to smooth, cost-effective production, claims the release. Storyboard shots can be associated with parts of an imported script, played as a slideshow, exported to standard graphics files, HTML pages or turned into a Macromedia Flash animation, claims the release.

The recording of shots into a storyboard includes the following essential production components:
– The image of the shot as seen by a particular camera
– A complete 2D, top-down blueprint view of all set elements including camera position
– The camera settings (Height, Angle of View, and Focal Length) required to get the shot.
– Simulates film sizes from 16 to 70mm with numerous aperture settings
– Up to eight virtual cameras featuring full camera controls of Pan/Tilt, Dolly, Zoom and Crane to find the best angles or shots to capture the story moment
– Camera settings (height, angle of view and focal length)
– Complete 2D, top-down blueprint view of all set elements including camera position
– Trifold view with each stored shot: Camera view, 2D view and camera setting, adds the release.