PaceWorks preps GifDancer package

MacWeek, Feb 16, 1998 by Rebecca Gulick

PaceWorks Inc. last week said it plans to release a trimmed-down version of its ObjectDancer product for creating Web-based text and graphics animations.

GifDancer, which is as yet unpriced, will feature the same time line-based interface as its $249 sibling; however, it will have some control limitations and export only GIF89a files. ObjectDancer supports audio and can export files in Java and QuickTime formats. GifDancer will import a variety of graphics file formats, including Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, JPEG, and PICT.

GifDancer will let users control a variety of animation and file-optimization settings, including looping and customized color palettes. However, the company said it simplified the controls for features such as anti-aliasing and the acceleration editor.

In addition, GifDancer will feature a WYSIWYG preview function with frame rate and color palette information; PaceWorks said this will eliminate the need to open a browser to preview animations. It will also include its sibling's Text Decompose command, which breaks down text into individual letter objects.

PaceWorks, which did not specify a ship date for GifDancer, said it is currently evaluating users' output requirements. A 30-day demo of the beta version is available from the company's Web site.

PaceWorks Inc. of Foster City, Calif., can be reached at (650) 578-6765; fax (650) 578-6769; info@paceworks.com; www.paceworks.com.

PaceWorks' GifDancer will offer a WYSIWYG preview that promises to spare users from having to preview their work in a browser.