Available at MS. About 78MB download. Rich
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Available at MS. About 78MB download. Rich
Note that this program won't install if you are running any Windows version other than Windows XP ! - Andrew
Rich
What a tease! A link would be good; microsoft.com does not seem to know about it, and I can't find it via google.
Thanks.
http://www.microsoft.com/products/expression/
Don't get too excited!! In fact I'm a bit disappointed http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/frown.gif
Amanda
http://www.studioe3.com/Acrylic/new.asp
Amanda,
I did see the use of plugins is different. Probably you cannot set a plugin folder.
Transparent maps appear to work the same.
I am still not able to apply maps to complex objects.
Haven't tried the image stitching.
I tried the pixel layer.
I copied my maps to the Acrylic resource folder, and the appear to be fine.
I have a about 30 fly maps if you want to try them.
Rich
Thanks for the links...
Simon,
A few things I have done recently in X1 and E3.
Rich
http://www.indeptharts.org/showthread.php?t=2231
Pretty Nice Rich, Still playing with your bugs tho. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Wow Rich - you have been busy http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif Some of those images are beautiful.
Had a bit more time to play with Acrylic today and the new pixel painting feature is starting to grow on me. May have a go at creating some pixel brushes later.
Haven't fully explored the live effects features but they look interesting.
It's starting to remind me a bit of Adobe's Live Motion.
Amanda
Thanks John,
I drew a few more dragonfly wings.
Amanda,
There are dozens of butterflies in the front garden. It is good experience.
Rich
Rich,
You need to check out our moon shot thread. You might even find something interesting there.
Thanks John,
I look in to see how your doing.
I was enjoying the the burst of orange leaves blowing from a bush as it was hit by a wind gust. The leaves formed a swirling cloud, and then were magnetically attracted back to the bush where they began feeding on the clusters of blossoms.
I posted the fly maps at IDA.
Rich
Acrylic Expression.....Like it was said b4 glorified paint. piece of junk very user unfriendly. MS should can it and do what they do best put out broken os's and give us a lifetime of security updates
Mike S
Have you actually tried the program?
To quote a poster off another forum:
AmandaQuote:
I cannot speak to MS's intentions or strategies with Acylic, however did you
know that Expression 3 was a sucessful and well loved graphics app in it's
own right? Many people are trashing this new app, without stopping to
realize:
a. this is a beta (some would say alpha) release
b. that it's actually based on an existing product with a solid track record.
Expression 3 "Strong Buy Recommendation"
http://www.creativemac.com/articles/...e.jsp?id=15353
Creating Custom Strokes in Expression 3
http://www.creativemac.com/articles/...e.jsp?id=26800
I HIGHLY recommend for everyone to see the e3.pdf that comes w/ Expression
3.3 download, for some really good tutorials and explanation of what makes
this app so unique and powerful.
http://www.microsoft.com/products/ex...ion3_home.aspx
Yes i did. And in my opinion it is horrible. i understand it is beta, but they are using expression as a base code and it is very unuserfriendly. i didnt mean to upset anyone but it is just one mans opinion. i know people that say the same thing about Xara photoshop and justabout every other one you can think of. again if i upset you with my comments i appologize
Mike,
To follow up on Amanda's post.
I wouldn't be so fast to dismiss it, just because it doesn't fit your style/way of working. But yes, from a personal perspective I do find it "awkward" (mainly the interface, path operations and lack of "push" function with the pen tool). But in all honesty, I'm sure most of that "awkwardness" stems from the fact that I never gave it a real chance (and it doesn't really fit with my way of creating my simple drawings). However, if you treat it, and use it, like you would a freehand painting/drawing tool (especially with a tablet), I'm sure you will get much more out of it. If you are in to a lot of path operations (slicing and dicing) instead of drawing/painting, to get your picture together, I'm sure there are more efficient applications. For me it's Xara X.
The main point of the application is to mimic the looseness and style/feel of natural media - in a vector format. If this isn't your cup of tea, then you should probably look elsewhere. But I don't think it's very logical to dismiss it outright simply because you don't know how to use it, or if it doesn't fit your way of working.
If you can't see ANY benefits (and future possibilities (unless they mess it up)) with this application - well, then you really haven't given it an objective look. Calling it "horrible" and a "piece of junk" is not very nuanced or helpful to someone stumbling upon this thread.
I'm sure you didn't mean to upset anyone with your comments. But for someone just reading your post, it wouldn't surprise me if some people took your negativity, and outright dismissal, personally. If something is "horrible" and a "piece of junk" it's not too far fetched to imagine that people using this application successfully - are in in other words being called imbeciles (or what have you) for torturing themselves with it?
Also just one man's opinion.
A balanced view Risto, thank you.
Drawing & graphics programs are personal preference - I love Expression and Xara X, but dislike Illustrator & Freehand, but I wouldn't dream of using such negative adjectives in such an offhand manner.
Amanda
Amanda i didnt mean to offend you or anyone else. Risto i agree with what you are saying. but i just voiced my opinions no one elses. except about the glorifeid paint. i have used core draw with no problem xara and even illustrator without a problem. i never claimed to be a artist or a graphic designer. i am a hoppiest and i enjoy trying to software. was a corel photopaint person for many yrs. theni found jasc paintshop pro easier to use and now i use photoshop. someone should have put a post in the stickies about having personal opinions.i am sorry again for having a opinion. i will just go back to lurking sheesh. and it isnt a offhand manner either. it is the way i talk. i enjoy that gift i have about being vocal and not just sitting by and conforming to everyone else's standards so there was no need to make a personal attack like that about me. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif
i am done with this post so go ahead say what ever back as i wont reply. Risto thaks for being the oice or reason and understanding what i was saying. once again SORRY
Mike,
"Nuanced" is the keyword here. You have many times said that you have merely scratced the surface with Xara X - how would you then quantify the time/energy you have tried to learn Expression?! See?
Everyone is entitled to an opinion... Yes, I could probably have all kinds of opinions on different brain surgery procedures too, but perhaps they wouldn't be all together "informed" ones (all the time http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)?! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
"Going back to lurking" because of this thread would be a shame.
Mike S
I'm not saying that your opinion was invalid or wrong - it was the manner in which you expressed it that I had a problem with.
I apologise if you felt I was attacking you - that was not my intention.
Shall we agree to disagree and shake hands http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
Amanda
Mike,
I saw that you edited to post...
It wasn't a "personal attack". I was simply asking if you thought you had REALLY given it a chance? Time enough to dismiss it outright?
Heck, I was agreeing with you that it's a tough application. You were questioning yourself if you had insulted someone - and I said "probably". But I also started by saying that I'm sure it wasn't your intention.
Yes we can agree to disagree and shake hands. even from the other side of the pond. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
NO NO Risto i wasnt talking about what you wrote. it was what Amanda wrote sorry about the misunderstanding. i will work on my vocalization in the future as not to upset anyone again and again http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/cool.gif
Good! Sheesh! I'm telling you - talking over a beer is much easier than over the Web, don't you think?! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/eek.gif
http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
Yes it is http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif i find a few Capt'n and Coke's i can solve world peace http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Bottle of red please!!
we better get this back on topic b4 we all get yelled at for going ot been there done that didnt like the emails http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Mike,
I think the application is getting some attention fix a few things. I see a lot of things being mentioned. Hopefully, the can be fixed. I have never been able to apply reflection maps to large complex objects. I like it that I could mention the problem. I also mentioned using transparent maps in hoped the capability would be known. I was pleased with the results from my partial map idea to create realistic bug wings. Not that everyone need to draw bugs, but an idea to develop new methods. The application is the only one that I know of that can apply maps to objects, and use the types of map I discovered. I found this to be a very interesting project since it is undiscovered country. Rich
I am sure it is Rich. But it isnt for me. i tried it messed with it for about a hour or so and then removed it. i have seen and enjoyed your bug maps in the non xara gallery. Please dont take offense to what i said.
They should streamline it and make it work for other Windows versions. Then maybe they would end up with a good product. Right now, it feels like flying a jumbo jet for me...
Yea, for me it was just fun to play around with, you know, see if anything was dif from expression3, to which, I really am not all that friendly with it (e3) either.. I mean I know of the various options etc, having played around some, but yea, just not perhaps what I require on a daily basis... but, non the less... some power there for those determined enough to make use of such... E3 was/is pretty decent for free, and I am sure many truly used it to create some wonderful results... Fun fun fun http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
http://www.bildsajten.com/acrylic/acrylics1.htm
http://www.bildsajten.com/acrylic/acrylics2.htm
I am new to this forum. I stumbeled upon it while I was looking around for views on MS Acrylic. The discussion here is a bit the same what I read here and there in other forums. Some love to hate Microsoft. But as I understand it Ms are doing a very serious attempt to make a very good drawing and painting software based om Expression. I have never used Expression but been trying out Acrylic for some hours now. It's no harder to learn than Photoshop, Illustrator, Painter, Flash or other graphics apps. In fact Microsoft will make it more "windowish" than E3 ever was, as I understand it.
So a serious and positive approach to this Ms new software is a good startingpoint while trying it out. I must say I love it! Next to Painter IX it's already my favourite application. I have been using a lot of graphic softwares through the years and I know what I want. Here is an all in all software - both vector and bitmap! Great!
Maybe Microsoft will make a release soon of that LivingCels that they bought at the same time as they bought E3; then we will have some outstanding graphic apps from Bill & Co!
Well, thats my opinion. I will continue evaluating Acrylic with an open mind and maybe publish some more of my drawings/paintings made with this xellent beta software. If you like, have a look at my two first attempts. Just click the links! The first one was made in an expressionistic mode to try to simulate matural media like acrylic paint. The second illustration I was trying to make an ordinary botanical illustration, which is very hard with vector software. Expression is great for that purpose! You can render more lifelike then any other drawing software, believe me!
I'll be back for more discussions on Acrylic, if there will be some...
Hi there Sweedie!
Nice to see you at TG! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
LivingCels is indeed the big mystery! Still think it's something they will mould in to some sort of flash-like application. I guess time will tell - and I don't think we will have to wait longer... than the next OS release...
After a couple of years of expirmenting with transparent reflection maps, and having to save to PNG to get the transparency, I found that turning on paper texture caused on screen transparency. I made a white image and placed it in my texture resources. This allowed me to turn on the transparency without adding additional texture. Previously, the on screen view showed black in place of transparency. Rich
http://www.bildsajten.com/acrylic/keyhole.jpg
These are my latest xperiments with Acrylic.Watch this!
Some impressive images Sweedie. I'll have to do a double take on ACRYLIC. Looks like fun.
Alan
I found that if I create a variable transparency black reflection map, that it is possible to use the erase blending mode to cause transparency of an object in back. Rich
A new Beta version (build 770) has been released.
Rich
After reading this thread I downloaded the beta and it rocks!!! It's amazing I love this programme - I don't think it's hard to learn or slow - it's perfect - especially the way you can make and store your own brushes - may even attempt a portrait with it when i get to grips with it more!
It's a completely different tool to Xara X1 but if they improve the shape tools and type on it I think in some respects it'll give Xara a run for it's money!
I agree here's an image posted in the non-xara gallery that has been made in Acrylic. It's not a photograph, it was completely manufactured using samples from a photograph of a tree and texture brushes etc.
When it's released it will most likely be over priced, but at the moment it's free and up for grabs.
Derek