EPS Import and Extrusion
Scalable vector art can now be imported directly into Graffiti. Users can add, delete or modify the original spline points right within the Graffiti interface and the result can be extruded and animated in 3D space. The advantage to working with scalable vector art is that unlike raster art which is pixel based, vector art never suffers a loss in quality when it is resize or scaled. Most company logos are generated in this format.
Resolution Independent Vector Text
Text created in Graffiti using the vector text option remains razor sharp at any scale. This become important when dealing with titles that change size at different points along the timeline, for instance when letters appear to pop on or off the screen from behind the camera. Raster based text will display visible artifacts when scaled but because the text in Graffiti is vector based, it is always sharp.
Advanced Type-On Title Animation
Graffiti includes some very powerful type-on controls for generating animated titles which makes it very easy to create eye catching animations. Make titles appear to pop in to the center of the scene from behind the camera or slide in from left or right. Add jitter to the color or position of a title or page of text.
Text On a Path
Text can be animated along a user generated vector path in Graffiti. Options include the ability to set the angle of the letters along the path, the position of the letters on the path and the justification of the text along the path. The reverse path option flips the text upside down along the path. Motion blur can be added to the text for added realism.
Automated Rolls, Crawls, Fades, Zooms
The Title Container in Graffiti automates the chore of creating rolls, crawls, faces, zooms and shuffles. With unlimited pages of text per container, built-in DVE controls, background generator, 27 composite mixable modes with built-in color correction tools and of course motion blur, creating titles has never been easier.
16 Bit Color (host dependant)
16 Bit deep-color provides the user with the ability to generate smoother gradients and more precise color correction via an expanded color palette, which expands the available color gamut from 16 million in 8 bit color to trillions of colors. The result is that gradients are far less prone to mach banding or color stepping. 16 bit color in Graffiti is host dependent and will only work in hosts that support this feature, such as Avid systems.
35 Filter Effects Including Several FEC Filters
The original filter effects in Graffiti have all been replaced with the more powerful filters from the BORIS Continuum Complete package and the number of effects filters that ship with Graffiti 5 has been increased to a total of 35. The list of filter effects includes radial blurs, particles, glows, distortions and procedural generators such as snow, rain and clouds. In addition to this several filters from the Final Effects Complete package have been included with this latest release of Graffiti.
Support for 3rd Party AE Plug-in Filters
Most filters 3rd party After Effects filters can be used in FX, and thereby the editing system into which FX is plugged into making it easy to use some of your favorite AE filters in the host editing environment. A complete list of the supported filters is available on the support section of the BorisFX web site.
3D Shapes such as Cylinders, Spheres and Cubes
Graffiti includes the ability to map generated text onto 3D objects such as cylinders, spheres and cubes. These objects can be manipulated in 3D space with controls for camera, lights and motion blur. Each of the objects has it's own unique features, such as the ability to disassemble a cube over time or unwrapping a cylinder or sphere over time. You can even map text onto a page turn shape and peel back pages of text to create flip-book style text animations.
3D User Modifiable Spline Primitive Shapes
Several spline primitive shapes are included with Graffiti and all of these shapes can be filled, stroked or even extruded into 3D objects. The extruded objects can also be reflection, texture and bump mapped for added realism. Every aspect of the shapes can be modified by the user; points can be added, deleted or manipulated just like any other bezier spline shape.
3D Text with Textures, Reflection Mapping, Materials and Lights
Any 2D text object can be extruded and converted into a 3D object in Graffiti. Reflect the background track onto the 3D text that is above it, or add a separate texture track to the text or use bump mapping for added photo-realism. The position, orbit and pan camera controls make it easy to animate the 3D object in 3D space and the depth of field option emulates the out of focus ranges of real camera lenses.
2D and 3D Chart Generator with Import Feature
The Chart Generator in Graffiti enables users to enter data in a spreadsheet format via the built-in chart editor, which is then converted into flat or extruded graphical charts. Charts can take on the form of pie, bar, line and filled and can be animated and revealed or removed in a true 3D environment. Graffiti charts can also be generated from imported user data, which was saved in Microsoft Excel format.
Gradient Generator
Included in Graffiti is a procedural media generator that is capable of generating smooth gradients with options for linear, contour, bevel, edge and revolve gradient styles. Every parameter of the gradient can be animated, including the gradient color and stops.
Audio Import with Scrubbable Waveform
Title effects are more often than not accompanied by audio sound cues like a pop or splash. Graffiti enables users to import scratch audio tracks and the visual cues from the waveform monitor in the timeline helps users to synchronize the video effect with the imported audio track. The audio track can be played with the effect preview and the timeline waveform can be scrubbed to ensure correct synchronization of the audio and video.
Vector Paint System
The vector paint system in Graffiti can be used to generate 2D geometric shapes that can be used as a graphic element in your composition or as part of a mask track. The style palette can be used to apply beveled edges to filled or stroked paint and in addition to this, animated vector paint strokes can be used to create write on title effects.
Hardware Accelerated OpenG Previews
Graffiti takes advantage of the built-in OpenGl libraries included with most video cards to accelerate the preview of effects on screen. Although the level of OpenGl support does not extend to rendered output files, this feature speeds title effects generation making on-screen previews immediate, especially useful when dealing with 3D elements.
Library Browser with Hundreds of Preset Animations
The built-in Library Browser contains hundreds of preset compositions, all of which are user modifiable. Categories include lower thirds, path text and animated type-on effects. Users can save customized composition settings into the Library Browser for future retrieval and use on other projects.
