FrameForge 3D Studio 2

FrameForge 3D Studio 2 creates optically correct storyboards for previz, production, and presentations.

Who's it for: Directors, filmmakers, storyboard artists, and commercial creatives.

The Good: This is the one software that creates optically correct storyboards that will allow you to plan shots that can be recreated in the real world.

The Bad: If Version 2 is your first introduction to FrameForge, it can seem a bit overwhelming to learn all the features of the program. A walk-through tutorial would be a welcome addition.

Essential extras: System requirements: 300 MB free disk space, 256 MB RAM (minimum);
Windows - Pentium III 500Mhz, Windows XP/NT/2000 or better, XP Theme enabled;
Macintosh - G3 Processor 500 Mhz, System 10.3 (to run Version 2), System 9.1 (to run Version 1, included on CD)

Optional: Standard USB game pad, or better yet, the FrameForge 3D branded Director's Pad, a high-end graphics card with 3D acceleration; an Internet connection; Crime & Justice Expansion Pack, Military Expansion Pack, Emergency Response Expansion Pack, Stock Sets Expansion Pack--expansion packs are theme-based collections of objects, characters, sets, relationships, and poses.

The Bottom Line: FrameForge 3D is an invaluable tool for producers and directors to storyboard and present their project without being an artist or computer wiz.

Installation: Installation is simple. Insert the installation CD. An installation window will appear. Confirm the default installation location, enter your serial number, and click the "Install" button. Agree to the terms and conditions to continue the installation.

FrameForge will install on your hard drive. You will be prompted for optional installations of Version 1 actors. If you intend on using any files from Version 1, select yes. When you start FrameForge for the first time, it will ask if you want to "hide" Version 1 actors from the library. It's recommended to hide them so you don't accidentally select them for a Version 2 file. You can always choose to "unhide" them later.

Next, you will be prompted for optional installations of exterior location panoramas, such as, parks, city streets, trolley stations. If you have the hard drive space, select "yes" as this will save you the trouble of accessing the CD when needed.

Make sure to select "yes" when it asks you to "check Internet for updates" because FrameForge releases updates often.

Lastly, you must register and validate the program. You must do so within 14 days or the program will not run without a complete deinstallation and reinstallation. This might seem like a hassle, but this type of copy-protection is highly preferable over the more bothersome and expensive-to-replace dongles that other companies use.

Total install time took about 10 minutes for program installation and another five minutes for the Internet updates.

Interface and Ease of Use: The basic tools for FrameForge are the camera controls and object movement controls. The point-and-click interface requires a nimble mouse and a little patience at first, but with a little time you get used to it. It is recommended to use a standard USB game pad or better yet, the FrameForge 3D branded Director's Pad. This will give you control of almost all functions with game-like precision.

The object library is sorted into folders with all objects relating to that category (such as actors, buildings, or bedroom) contained in each folder. Once you find an object you want, just grab and drop the object into the blueprint screen to make it part of your set.

Manipulation of individual objects (such as actors) can be done on set, choosing "edit on set," or in the green room--"edit in greenroom"--where a single object can be managed. Conveniently, some objects have relationships preprogrammed to interact with other objects. If you drag an actor onto a chair, the actor will sit in it. This saves time from manually positioning both objects together. If you do take the time to create a new object relationship you can save it to use later in another project. Having a complete set of poses, such as casually walking or hands raised, makes quick work of framing your actors for shots.

Now just add your virtual cameras (each camera features full pan/tilt, dolly, zoom, roll, and crane control with the option to limit focal lengths and camera heights to the actual range of your equipment), set them to the exact video/HD/film frame size and aspect ratio you'll be shooting with, and begin storyboarding.

Render and print any view with TrueOptix™ optically correct depth of field. This is not a Parallax simulation, but is true Depth of Field based on the optical properties of the frame, its circle of confusion, the user controllable f/stop and point of focus. View and print associated hyperfocal lengths, near and far focus with all frames with the camera's rotation, tilt and f/stop & depth-of-field data, as well as all other camera information, if needed.

Accomplishing the Task: FrameForge helps a filmmaker communicate his or her vision to the cast and crew. It can import a script from Final Draft, Movie Magic Screenwriter, or Microsoft Word formats. Once the script is imported, FrameForge creates blank sets to match scene locations within the script. Scene descriptions then can be matched to each location before or after shot creation.

FrameForge allows you to experiment building sets or re-create existing locations with real-world measurements. Sets can then be saved and used for other projects to save time. Once a set has been designed, simply drag and drop objects from the object library to furnish the set, add your actors, and select your camera equipment.

Once you enter all these details, you can experiment with the shots you want to capture. FrameForge will show you your limits for that set and won't let you plan anything you can't do in the real world. If something will not work, this is the time to change it, not when you have your whole crew and cast on the set only to learn it's impossible to get that crane shot you storyboarded the old-fashioned way that didn't take in account the restricted space of the location. You can simply redesign any set or shot by yourself when needed.

Presenting your vision is a simple task with many options. You can print your storyboards in grayscale or full color to paper or PDF in any of four rendering styles (normal, normal with outlines, cartoon, and sketch). You can also view your shots as a slide show within the shot manager where you can tailor the duration of each shot down to a fraction of a second. Or you can export this slide show as a QuickTime movie or Macromedia® Flash animation viewable in any Web browser. Or perhaps you'll want to post the storyboard on the Web or an intranet for your production staff as HTML pages with full shot and textual information. You can even export just the graphics to bring into FinalCut® Pro, Keynote™ or PowerPoint® for presentation.

Notable Features: FrameForge Version 2 has a new and improved drag 'n' drop library which includes over 750 World Ready™ objects (executive chairs swivel & tilt, desk drawers open and trees even lose their leaves) in more than 100 different categories including 32 fully posable actors in four ethnicities (all of whom can be aged from 20 to 60 years old). Pre-established relationships between objects make for real-world interactions. Drag an actor into a chair and he'll automatically sit. Or drag a gun over to him and he'll grab it in his hand. You can now even control facial expressions with varying levels of intensity with the 12 presets or edit your own. Body Morphs allow you to adjust their body shape to make them fatter, thinner, bustier, and so on. Also, Version 2 comes with more clothing and hair options, including non-skin tight clothing such as dresses for women.

Use the new Room Builder to create your sets to exact measurements (even right from set designs). Then add all the furnishings and props you need from the included library or import your own in VRML format. FrameForge also includes 11 360-degree panoramas (baseball field, street corner, pier, etc.) to use for outdoor locations or backdrops through interior windows and doors. Or create your own panoramas by stitching digital images together and importing them into FrameForge.

Documentation and Product Support: FrameForge tech support is staffed by the programmers of the software. There is no asking supervisors or checking troubleshooting manuals. The people you talk with know the program, literally, from the inside out. Any minor bugs are quickly addressed with an update available through the Webgrab Internet Program Updater. They are always open to suggestions from users on how to improve the program even further. Those suggestions usually find their way into the updates. There's even a company-run, user-support online community where you can share and trade tips and custom created library objects.

FrameForge comes with a quick-start pamphlet and a user guide. The quick-start guide is a good place to begin but reading the full user guide gives the information needed to learn and master the complete power of the program. The manual itself is well written and illustrated with screenshots.

StoryLink Rating: 9.5