Acclaim for wondertouch’s particleIllusion product line

What the Reviewers Are Saying:

Kenstone.net - March 2006 - Steve Douglas
Pro Emitters Review

Last December I had the fortunate opportunity to review and utilize wondertouch's particleIllusion 3.0.1 for OS-X. The more I used it the more I enjoyed its flexibility, ease of use and the editing possibilities that came with it. That it came with over 1400 emitters with new libraries added each month for free downloads to users was just another plus. Now wondertouch has come out with six professionally created collections of emitters for particleIllusion. Each of the six different libraries consists of 30 different emitters and may be purchased separately for $39.00 or as a whole collection for $175.00.

"...A point to consider is that every one of these particle emitters is fully customizable so that you can build and save as many different versions as your creative self desires. But, with the initial particleIllusion application coming with as many emitters as it does, why would anyone really want these new collections? Easy answer, they really are beautifully produced and executed collections that one might take hours and hours to create themselves, if at all.

"All in all what is presented here is a fine collection of 180 different and unique emitters to add to your own collection, as well as a jumping off point to customize any one of them to your own project's individual needs. For those of you who were smart enough to invest in wondertouch's particleIllusion software, be even smarter and look into this emitter library with enthusiasm and with the knowledge that they are easy to use, to adapt to your projects and that they won't break the bank while doing so."

Digital Media Net - March 2006 - David Nagel
Pro Emitters Review

"...One of the great things about Wondertouch ParticleIllusion--aside from the power and versatility of the particle engine itself--is that a new and free emitter library is released every month, so that the list of available presets is ever-expanding. Now Wondertouch has released its first paid collections of add-on emitters. What distinguishes these from the presets already included with the software and the ones included in the regular monthly updates?

In a word: beauty.

The sheer gorgeousness of many of these emitters stands out as the defining characteristic of this collection. There's a delicateness to the figures, movement and interaction of the particles that hasn't quite been captured in other particle collections I've seen. You'll find some great emitters, to be sure, in other particle collections--including those that ship with ParticleIllusion and in the free monthly updates--but the Professional Emitter Libraries strike me quite clearly as a sort of "Best of ParticleIllusion in Six Volumes..."

Animation Magazine - March 2006 - Chris Tome
particleIllusion 3.0 Review

"...One of the things about particle systems in 3D applications is that they require a lot of overheard from a rendering perspective. They can be difficult to set up, increase render times dramatically, and are easy to flub up. With wondertouch's particleIllusion software and the use of 2D sprites, the process of creating fire, smoke, snow and other particle effects is more easily achieved in post production. The software also offers a level of control that you can't get inside your 2D application.

"...particleIllusion is a powerful application and depending on your needs from a proper setup and rendering perspective, this software is fast fairly inexpensive, fun to play with and very versatile."

TV Technology - February 2006 - Walter Schoneknecht
particleIllusion 3.0 Review

"...Alan Lorence and the wondertouch team have done an excellent job of creating a novice-friendly user interface and workflow for their powerful flagship app. If you're unfamiliar with particleIllusion, it's a clever, highly controllable program for adding effects and creating textures using, well... particles. Particle rendering is used for some of the most difficult tasks in computer-generated imaging, such as water, fire and fog, but until recently, has been available only in more complex and costly animation packages. "wondertouch has democratized this technology, making particleIllusion available at a modest cost to artists, animators and editors at all levels. "Right out of the box, the new user can make things happen. Particle Illusion lets you preview the program's stunning "emitters", a feature that helps demystify magical effects like columns of fire, sparkling pyrotechnics and hydrant-sized streams of water. These aren't purely canned presets, either; every parameter can be modified and keyframed, permitting a daunting intricacy of control.

3D World (Issue #74) - February 2006 - Chris Kenworthy
particleIllusion 3.0 Review

"While high-end users from Hollywood filmmakers to amateurs - love particle effects, they can be both complex and time-consuming to create in a conventional 3D package. In contrast, particleIllusion 3.0 enables you to create the look of 3D particles with the speedy rendering of a 2D system. We reviewed the Windows version in issue 41, so it's now time to test-drive particleIllusion 3.0 for Mac OS X.

This application uses the same basic engine as Combustion but renders faster, making previews almost in real time on a dual G5. Moreover, the particles you can create are impressive. Producing the same effects with a 3D application would take forever, and you'd need to be an ambitious and creative After Effects user to get close to this kind of result.

The software is extremely easy to use and, if you've worked with applications such as After Effects or Combustion before, you'll be getting results in just a few minutes."

Applelinks.com - December 2005 - Kirk Hiner
particleIllusion 3.0 Review

"...I should explain that particleIllusion v3 is a 2D particle generation system. Particle systems quickly produce effects that can be quite complex, but still easy to control. You don't get the control and high-end results of 3D rendering programs, but that's the point. particleIllusion isn't for created video, it's for adding cool effects to that video in a quick, easy fashion. It does this using emitters, which produce the effects, and the elements that the emitters, well, emit. By choosing and placing the emitters, you produce animated effects that can stand on their own or, most importantly, be composited with your existing footage (see examples).

"...Normally, I hate working in standalone programs to simply add effects to outside projects (see Photoshop plug-ins: AutoFX). On the other hand, many of the third-party filters and effects available for iMovie, for example, are extremely difficult to control because they're stuck with iMovie's interface. I'm happy (and somewhat surprised) to report that the particleIllusion interface is not only easy to navigate, but easy to learn..."

Los Angeles Final Cut Pro Users Group - November 2005 - David Saraceno
particleIllusion 3.0 Review

"Three years ago, OS X was still in its infancy, and no standalone Mac version of particleIllusion (then Illusion) existed. New owner and chief programmer, Alan Lorence first remedied this deficiency with the release of particleIllusion SE for Mac OS X. This light version of pI shipped with 750 preset effects, and could edit particleIllusion 2.0 emitter libraries, but it didn't have the power or diversity of the full PC version. Last year Mac users were further buoyed by the release of wondertouch's Particle Emitters for Motion, which contained 337 emitters in its "large" version. It was a welcome and dazzling addition to Motion, Apple's new motion graphics application.

"The emitter package increased Motion capabilities, but neither it nor SE still matched the company's PC version. Wondertouch finally remedied this deficiency with the release particleIllusion 3.0 for OS X. Mac users received a diverse emitter app and compositing environment every bit as powerful as the PC version. It should be on every Mac users holiday list.

"I spent the last six weeks working with particleIllusion 3 for Mac OSX. The OS X app is equal to the capabilities of its PC counterpart, and is surprisingly versatile. It ships with over 1300 particle emitters of virtually every effect or look you can imagine. Some are surprisingly "un-emitter like," if that is a word. Dozens more are available as free monthly downloads at the developer's web site. The package utilizes the OpenGL capabilities of your video card for rendering, and is surprisingly fast."

Digital Media Net - November 2005 - Dave Nagel
particleIllusion 3.0 Review

"ParticleIllusion is the ultimate 2D particle generation system. In power, depth and performance, it just can't be matched. Version 3 is the first full release of this software for Mac OS X . (An "SE" version was available prior to this, but it didn't offer the functionality of the full 3.0 version.) The principal new feature in the latest release is the addition of "super emitters," which allow emitters to emit other emitters, simplifying the creation of complex effects."

IT Enquirer - October 2005 - Erik Vlietinck
particleIllusion 3.0 Review

"particleIllusion 3 comes with a large library of predefined particle emitters, ranging from fire to stars with trails, to swirls. At first sight, particleIllusion reminded me of Apple's Motion, but after playing around with it for a while, I found particleIllusion to be much more powerful.

"particleIllusion is a stand-alone program, and not a part of an existing program, of course. Simple particle manipulation with this program is very easy. A lot can be done by dragging the mouse around in the main window, or setting some simple parameters. But soon, particleIllusion proves to be a powerful beast that can only be tamed by using some considerable skill and knowledge about how particles behave in the real world.

"...particleIllusion 3 is probably the most powerful particle emitter in the market. It defeats Motion's emitters by more than a nose length; in fact, to be quite honest, there's simply no comparison."

Creative Cow - October 2005 - John Dickinson
particleIllusion 3.0 Review

"To sum up I would have to say that particleIllusion 3 for OSX is must-have software for anyone involved in motion graphics design and production. It's easy to use and has enough depth to create an endless variety of particle effects. If you can only afford one particle generator then this should certainly be your first choice."

Digital Media Net - May 2005 - David Nagel

"If you haven't seen wondertouch particles in action, well, then you just don't watch a lot of television. The company's ParticleIllusion software (previously Impulse Illusion) is in use practically everywhere you see things digitally blowing up, burning, spurting blood, billowing smoke or otherwise emitting things from the gory to the fantastic to the mundane. ParticleIllusion is the underlying system in DIscreet Combustion and was, very clearly, the "inspiration" for the particle system in Apple's own Motion software.

"Now, we on the Mac platform have been awaiting the release of ParticleIllusion 3 for Mac OS X for quite some time. (It was originally slated for a late 2003 release.) The software offers some unique features that I, at least, have been eager to get my hands on, not the least of which is the "super-emitters" feature, which allows particles themselves to act as emitters. While we continue to wait for this release, Wondertouch has come out with two products for Mac OS X in the category of particles: ParticleIllusion SE and Wondertouch Particle Emitters for Motion. The latter, released just back in March, is an adaptation of the emitters from ParticleIllusion for use in Apple's Motion. And it's a welcome addition to Motion's library of tools."

Mike Seymour - July 2005 - Fxguide.com
Emitters for Motion Review

"To cut a long story short - if you use Motion - you'll want these plugins. Wondertouch extends Motion by providing some excellent ( and a few naff) new emitters. Wondertouch produce a great set of new looks, some of which seem to pull off things such as trailing lines that Motion simply isn't meant to be able to do."

Video Systems - April 2005 - Frank McMahon
particleIllusion 3.0 Review

"Particle animation, such as purple sparks flying from a wizard's glowing wand, can be a time-consuming and frustrating enterprise. In an artistic world, where immediate results keep the creative juices flowing, particle rendering can be slow going. Furthermore, working with a formula-based GUI can be a further buzz-kill as some particle plug-ins and programs demand more math than art. Wondertouch, however, has created what it positions as an easy-to-use program to create particles, one that works best for a media artist by avoiding arcane parameter calculations and lets a producer make some cool animations with a minimum of effort.

"But as standalone particle systems go, I have not seen better. The program has every variable you could imagine, renders in real-time, allows import/export of all kinds of file formats, and creates output that makes the word dazzling an understatement. For the price, it's a great deal, and it will find its way into many a producer's desktop toolkit."

full Creative Cow - May 2005 - David Saraceno
Emitters for Motion Review

"This particle system constitutes an exceptional, sophisticated native enhancement package for Motion that provides a plethora of creative alternatives for any motion graphics designer --- all within the context of the new paradigm in motion graphics workflow established by Motion. The package is impressive at any price point."

MacDirectory - April 2005 - Mary Pyefinch
particleIllusion 3.0 Review

"...what is amazing about this tool is that almost anyone can build an effect using this software. There are hundreds of pre-set effects included and more available for download off the website monthly - all free. So there is no need to reinvent the wheel - just build upon one of the pre-set effects and make it your own."

Computer Graphics World - January 2005 - Douglas King
particleIllusion 3.0 Review

"wondertouch recently updated its particle effects tool, particleIllusion, to version 3.0. A powerful, stand-alone particle effects generator, it offers more than just standard particles; you also can create modern logo effects and motion graphics.

"...particleIllusion is a powerful tool worthy of consideration by anyone developing effects or motion graphics. Its 960 preset effects can get you up and running with professional-looking results much quicker than most other plug-in particle programs."

VideoSystems - January 19, 2005 - Bob Turner
particleIllusion 3.0 Review

(excerpted from the Video Systems "The Cut" (e-newsletter)

"...I am impressed that wondertouch is taking on Apple's Motion application, but while Motion is template-based and easy to learn and use, many experienced motion graphics designers believe particleIllusion is a more professional toolset..."

POST - December 2004 - Tor Rolf Seeman
particleIllusion 3.0 Review

"Here's a tool everyone in the post world could benefit from: particleIllusion 3.0 from wondertouch. This is a standalone app that wrangles particles like "W" wrangles the red states. This new version boasts so many great new features, including Forces, a Library Manager, and Super Emitters, plus many interface enhancements. I just can't wait to jump in and blow stuff up!

"...Believe it or not, you will have a blast with this software. You may not intend to, but you won't be able to help yourself.Experiment with changing the available controls. This is where you'll have most of the fun. Take an existing emitter, change a shape image, change a color, change the size - new effect! We're not just talking about realistic effects either (smoke, waterfalls, explosions, etc.), we're talking about effects that don't have names - things you might only see when fondled by recreational pharmaceuticals. Toss in the fact that major motion picture effects houses are making bank using this tool, when it only cost them $400 bucks. You can't afford to not have particleIllusion."

Videomaker - December, 2004 - D. Eric Franks
particleIllusion 3.0 Review

"wondertouch particleIllusion is an amazingly cool and almost effortless special effects tool. particleIllusion is for anyone who needs explosions, muzzle flashes, fireworks, waterfalls, realistic effects or psychedelic trips without the drugs. Perhaps best of all, you might not even have to hire a dedicated animator, since you can probably be up and running in an hour."

"...particleIllusion is remarkably easy to use, which is definitely not universal with other effects generators we've used. You load your video into the app (which is the trickiest aspect of the program), select an effect and, after clicking the record button, you can draw your effect straight onto your video as it plays back. You can then preview the video and render it out to a finished file. Renders are very fast, often in real time.

"...Our final recommendation is an easy and uncontroversial one: go download the demo and try it. Check out the smoke trailer and the beautiful and surprising natural-looking waterfall effects. Just don't blame us if you lose the next four hours of your life with the most addictive application since Solitaire.

Creative Cow.net - June 1, 2004 - Alan Edward Bell
particleIllusion 3.0 Review

"There are secrets in Hollywood that many visual effects houses don't want you to know. I'm going to let you in on one of them, particleIllusion 3.0. Chances are you've seen the results of this application in many films but didn't even know it. Many companies don't want you to see that a very simple intuitive application, which cost them, less than $400.00 was behind that super expensive shot you just paid for. Heck if an application that anyone can afford, and learn to use is this powerful no wonder they are afraid to let you in on the truth, it might have an effect on their bottom line.

"...particleIllusion 3.0 is a 'must buy' for anyone needing a robust and powerful 2D particle engine. As a 'stand alone' application, it is very fast and supports most OpenGL video cards. It works extremely well with others. You have complete control over your emitter libraries and it's easy to modify and generate new and interesting emitters. Careful you don't waste too much time starring at the pretty lights -- this application can mesmerize you."

Spectrum - January 11, 2004 - David Duberman
particleIllusion Review

(excerpted from the Spectrum e-newsletter)

Digital Media World (Australia) - January 2004 - Dan Diaz
particleIllusion Review

"...After reviewing particleIllusion 2.0 I recall enjoying the program immensely. .Looking back, I wondered which market it would suit best.After using particleIllusion 3.0, I have come to the realisation that it has role to play in many different areas in the digital content creation industry whether feature film, commercial production or the games industry...

"...It is an alternative to other more expensive options, such as third party 3D particle applications. Servicing more the pre-visualization and post-production sides of high-end feature work, it has created a niche for itself offering some versatile and creative tools.

Pixel Magazine (Australia) - January 2004 - David Knight
particleIllusion Review

"...I've been an avid fan of Particle Illusion for many years and I'm still awestruck by its price, power, simplicity and speed when it comes to production. In my opinion as a stand alone app there are no other post-render tools on the market that compete. To perform the same effects, you would have to go with one of the high end 3D apps."

Computer Arts - November 2003 - Christian Darkin
particleIllusion Review

"particleIllusion is probably one of the most instantly beautiful packages on the market.In fact, so appealing is the act of bringing up the hundreds of preset effects one by one and dragging them around the screen, that it's quite possible to waste most of the day doing it.

"...Once you finally get bored with making patterns with light, you realize that particleIllusion isn't just a pretty face. By simply opening up each preset, you can adjust every aspect of it: the number of particles created, their weight, spin and speed. You can also edit the shape of the actual particles themselves, either picking them from a pretty comprehensive list or loading in your own.

"...This extremely flexible piece of software creates instant and highly controllable effects ."

Digital Media Net - October 2003 - Stephen Schleicher
particleIllusion Review

"For many 2D compositors, highly detailed particle systems are hard to come by. For the 3D animator doing detailed particles and rendering them out inside the application can take a great deal of time to calculate. Combining the speed of a 2D particle system with the details found in 3D particle renderers would be the perfect solution. wondertouch has answered the call with particleIllusion 3.0.

"This stand alone application allows you to quickly and easily create hundreds of effects with just a click of the mouse. In fact, you may find that you aren't getting much work done because you are spending a lot of time just playing with all the gizmos available.

"Bubbles, smoke, fire, explosions, animated backgrounds, psychedelic do-dads, the only limit to what can be generated with particleIllusion 3.0 is your imagination. If you are doing (or need to do) any kind of particle work, then you need particleIllusion."

Animation - September 2003 - Bijan Tehrani
particleIllusion Review

"Animators who have a hard time learning 3D programs and their particle tools will be surprised by the ease and practicality of particleIllusion. The clean user interface is logically organized and categorized and features just enough tools to get the job done. You can even change the size of the folders/thumbnails inside the program if you want to. The software's key strength is in its modifiable options. You can start out with a certain effect, and after you're finished manipulating the settings, you can create a new effect that matches your project. You can also animate paths and have deflectors or blockers for an effect.

"...particleIllusion is a stand-alone particle effects application that utilizes Open GL hardware acceleration to produce near or real-time renders. particleIllusion 3.0 is fantastic when it comes to creating visually arresting particle effects. Plus, you can really start using it without any experience."

CG Focus - May 2003 - Chris Brizon
particleIllusion Review

"Now particleIllusion has always been known as "one of those secrets" Pro's like to keep to themselves for that extra edge in their work.

"particleIllusion 3.0 is a great program, and really should be part of any artist's arsenal. While it doesn't always have to replace the particle engines in most 3D programs today, it can surely add to them, producing effects that would be very complicated or very time consuming to do elsewhere in other programs.

"...in the meantime particleIllusion 3.0 is too useful not to have, go buy it. Now excuse me while I go waste a few more hours playing with the super emitters blowing up footage of my neighbors house."