IFX Ant - anyone with first hand info?

[el_diablo]

Anyone at NAB seen the new system from IFX, the "Ant"? I'm looking for info on features and pricepoints. I'm still waiting for a reseller to get back to me with official info, but in meantime any info is welcome. Especialy I need to know how it compares as a low cost finishing system for RED projects.


Actually, here are the concrete questions:

1. Is there any masking functionality in Ant

2. Desktop like in autodesk systems or something similar?

3. Tracking?

4. Xml from final cut, how good is it?

5. Seems IFX systems are layer based, no nodes?


Thanks

[Greg M]

Ant looks like a Red Specific version of Piranha. Piranha is a great product...have not seen Ant.

Call these guys, they will have all the answers. Cinesys is a great group, they built all our edit suites and machine room:

Mike Winkelmann
CineSys
www.cinesysinc.com
713-272-0732 x110

[Anupam]

I am also thinking of ANT. It seems to be nice with the tag of $5K.
It is yet not released. They are planning to release on MAY.

------------------------
http://www.xaansa.com

[Tim Whitcomb]

Anyone at NAB seen the new system from IFX, the "Ant"? I'm looking for info on features and pricepoints. I'm still waiting for a reseller to get back to me with official info, but in meantime any info is welcome. Especialy I need to know how it compares as a low cost finishing system for RED projects.


Actually, here are the concrete questions:

1. Is there any masking functionality in Ant

2. Desktop like in autodesk systems or something similar?

3. Tracking?

4. Xml from final cut, how good is it?

5. Seems IFX systems are layer based, no nodes?


Thanks

not my words... but from a prominent VFX artist about ant.

"http://www.ifx.com/ant
Ant is new, only 5k, 1000 times more features than Scratch and it can
be put on a linux box."

but for context, this guy pretty much loathes scratch (for what it costs)

[el_diablo]

From the feature list seems to me also to be somewhere between grading systems like Scratch, Speedgrade and such and Finishing/VFX systems like Smoke/Flame/others.

[Kyle Mallory]

I can answer first hand, just understand the the software isn't finished yet... Some things may change.


1. Is there any masking functionality in Ant

Color tools provides roto/masking functionality. More complete masking is in the works.


2. Desktop like in autodesk systems or something similar?

I'm not familiar with Autodesk's Desktop, but, there is a "Desktop" where all of your projects are shown with small thumbnails.


3. Tracking?

Yes. There is basic tracking.


4. Xml from final cut, how good is it?

Hard to answer, "good" is subjective. It will import audio/video from a basic timeline. Effects, titles, keyframe events are not currently supported. This is actively under development, and will eventually include XML from Sony Vegas as well. Obviously some things like Effects aren't really transferable between the two systems, and so will probably never be fully supported.


5. Seems IFX systems are layer based, no nodes?

Yes, layer based.


Disclaimer: I'm a beta user for Ant, so these are based on my observations, and casual conversations with IFX. I could be proven wrong on any of these points, at any time. :-)

[el_diablo]

Thanks Kyle! IFX Ant seems like a very good value for the money.