San Francisco - Digital Anarchy, a provider of graphics software, has released a Universal build for its Microcosm 16-bit, lossless codec, designed to achieve compression while maintaining image fidelity. The codec supports alpha channels and works in all QuickTime-based applications, including Adobe After Effects, Apple Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Avid. This new release adds compatibility for all host software running on Macintosh-Intel systems natively or through Rosetta.
Microcosm 1.2 will optimize footage to save drive space, averaging a 6:1 compression ratio, while maintaining image quality. Microcosm can work as an intermediate codec that moves work between applications without bloating file size. Additionally, Microcosm enables users to archive work while maintaining the footage's original integrity.
Graphics companies are now working with projects that have a high bit depth, are saved in HD, or require high-quality images from capture to output. A big challenge presented by this workflow is moving footage cleanly and quickly between applications without degradation in image quality. Lossless formats like the Animation codec are popular for moving footage and CG elements between applications and locations; however, the files tend to be extremely large, which slows production and drives up storage space.
Microcosm is a lossless, 16-bit solution for intermediate renders. On average, it offers a 3-to-1 compression ratio over the Animation codec and 6-to-1 over uncompressed footage. By dramatically reducing file size, Microcosm makes it easier to get files from application to application, machine to machine, or to people working remotely without loss of quality.
To avoid image degradation, graphics professionals archive their files with little or no compression. Microcosm keeps that image quality while reducing the storage space needed to archive projects or make backups.
Microcosm 1.2 is now available for Mac OS X and Windows. Regularly priced at $99, Microcosm is available for $79 through November 15, 2006. This purchase provides the encoder and decoder, and includes a license for both Macintosh and Windows. Version 1.2 is free for existing Microcosm owners; customers should contact Digital Anarchy for update instructions. All users can download the free decoder for files compressed with Microcosm at www.digitalanarchy.com.
Microcosm requires QuickTime 5.0 or later and will run on any PowerMac or Pentium computer. The codec works in Adobe After Effects xx and higher, Final Cut Pro xx and higher, Adobe Premiere Pro xx, most versions of Avid, and any other application that supports QuickTime. The codec run on all variants of Mac OS X and Windows 98ME-XP Pro.