Typestry

Last updated
Pixar Typestry
Original author(s) Pixar
Developer(s) Pixar
Initial release1990;33 years ago (1990)
Final release
2.1.1 / 1995.12.22;27 years ago (1995.12.22)
Operating system MacOS System 6, System 7, Windows
Type 3D graphics
License Pixar EULA
Websitewww.pixar.com

Typestry is a 3D software program released in the 1990s by Pixar for Apple Macintosh and Windows [1] -based PC computer systems. Unlike general purpose modellers and renderers, Typestry concentrated on rendering and animating text entered by the user in multiple fonts. The fonts were extruded into three dimensions, with various bevel styles and textures applied during rendering. Typestry creates 3D text with Type 1 and TrueType fonts and can do many different effects: [2]

Version 2.0 [3] [4]

Version 2.1 [5]

Mac users could not use outline fonts if the screen font was not installed. Type 1 fonts were more accessible, since they have a screen font for each style (italic, bold, heavy, etc.), but TrueType fonts only have one screen font as the main style. Windows users could use any Windows font.

Typestry was one of Pixar's several application software packages released in open markets (others included RenderMan, MacRenderMan, NetRenderMan, IceMan, Glimpse, Showplace, and One Twenty Eight). [6] It was discontinued when Pixar chose to concentrate on film production instead of application development. [7]

Glimpse

Glimpse was a tool for creating photo-realistic 3D objects and environments by applying shaders in an attempt to make RenderMan standard. Pixar also sold Glimpse for use with Typestry and ShowPlace. [8] Later, ShowPlace 2.0 included Glimpse. Glimpse had sliders to change material attributes like color, reflection coefficients, and surface roughness, and gave users a real-time preview of changes without needing RenderMan to render. Glimpse did not let users edit shader source code. [9] Looks had two views: Look Masters, the default setting for Look without editing options) and Looks Instances, which was created by changing settings in Glimpse. [10]

Valis Group provided an alternative, Shader Toolkit, but was more complex than Glimpse. [11]

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References

  1. ↑ Borzo, Jeanette (26 October 1992). "3-D Typestry for Windows Impresses beta testers". InfoWorld . Vol. 14, no. 43. p. 24.
  2. ↑ Heid, Jim (November 1992). "Typestry 1.0"". Macworld . Vol. 9, no. 11. pp. 148–149.
  3. ↑ Heid, Jim (June 1994). "Typestry 2.0". Macworld . Vol. 11, no. 6. p. 69.
  4. ↑ Mendelson, Edward (30 May 1995). "Typestry 2 gives type depth, texture, and movement". PC Magazine . Vol. 14, no. 10. p. 42.
  5. ↑ Heid, Jim (February 1995). "Pixar Typestry 2.1". Macworld . Vol. 12, no. 2. p. 89.
  6. ↑ "Pixar's RenderMan | Learn".
  7. ↑ "Pixar Typestry". Typophile.
  8. ↑ "Pixar's New Standard". Macworld . Vol. 10, no. 4. April 1993. p. 83.
  9. ↑ Domingo Martinez, Carlos (April 1994). "ShowPlace 2.0". Macworld . Vol. 11, no. 4. p. 67.
  10. ↑ Wagstaff, Sean (1994). 3-D Start Kit For Macintosh . Hayden Books. p. 393. ISBN   1-56830-125-1. LCCN   94-77391.
  11. ↑ Wagstaff (1994), p. 391.
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