 
Trapcode specializes in developing software tools for creative people, mainly within the areas of visual effects, graphics and audio. Their focus is on creating robust, user friendly, affordable and versatile products. Read on to find out what Trapcode can do for you!
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Interview to Peder Norrby - Trapcode Developer
PLUGINZ: What is Trapcode Suite 2004 and who is it made for?
Peder Norrby: Trapcode Suite 2004 consists of six plugins Shine, 3D Stroke, Sound Keys, Starglow, Lux and Particular. They are available separately but combined they give you to power to create everything from amazing glows and light rays to animated effects and particles. Trapcode Suite 2004 is available for After Effects 6.0 and up.
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Copyright © Nailgun - Adidas (1.94 Mb)
Nailgun shows very skillful use of Trapcode 3D Stroke in this aestethic spot for Adidas. | The Trapcode tools have a wide appeal. They are used by home-enthusiasts, corporate video, TV networks, motion-graphics studios and film visual effects companies all over the world.
P: How long have you been working on the Trapcode Suite and what inspired your company to get into the special effects industry?
PN: The Trapcode plug-ins have been developed over the years since Trapcode was started in May 2001. Getting into this industry was a natural step for me. I've always had a passion for visual expression and music and when I first got my hands on a computer (a Commodore 64 by the way) I instantly got hooked when seeing the possibilities of computer graphics and sound. I was introduced to the wonderful world of AE plug-ins when I was working at Cycore in 1999, we made a product called "Cult Effects" which is now integrated into AE. When Cycore decided to stop making AE plug-ins I started my own company, Trapcode.
P: A lot of top-name special effect houses are using your Plugins, do you work with them on any of their projects? Can you name a few?
PN: We don't get involved directly in their specific projects, but many times they will request features and we will do our best to accommodate them. Our customers include Attik, Belief, Disney, DreamWorks SKG, Imaginary Forces, Moving Pictures, MTV, New Wave Entertainment, Sony Pictures, The Orphanage, Warner Brothers, BrandNewSchool.
P: Can you tell us a bit more about some of the top projects the Trapcode Plugins have been used in?
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Copyright © Giant Octopus
This still is from a clip where Giant Octopus has combined Trapcode Shine with 3D renderings and football clips. | PN: Trapcode Shine was recently used in the movie Matrix Revolutions in scenes where Keanu Reeves is embedded in light. Trapcode Particular was also recently used in the movie Day After Tomorrow in the snow scenes. Trapcode 3D Stroke has been seen a lot on TV recently. In the US, for example, MTV has used it in numerous intros. In Europe it could be seen this summer in the UEFA Euro 2004 soccer championship official graphics package.
P: We've seen some of the effects that can be created using the Trapcode Plugins and are blown away! What drives the creative process involved in creating your tools?
PN: The creative process at Trapcode is a collaboration between us and our customers. Their creativity, as well as mine, is essential to product development. Each project at Trapcode starts with an idea, either from me or from a customer. We discuss what features may be useful, why, and how they should be presented to the user. There is a number of iterations where I make alpha and beta versions of the software and they give feedback and we inspire each other to new ideas. Many times the final product has changed completely from the initial alpha version. I cannot overstate the importance of the customers in this process, without them Trapcode could not exist.
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Copyright © MTV Nordic (1.45 Mb)
This clip, "tune in", uses Trapcode Starglow (overall styling) and 3D Stroke (the swooshing strokes). | P: Is there some kind of philosophy behind the Trapcode tools?
PN: We are on a quest for high quality - there are four cornerstones as we see it:
Ease of use: We try to make the software easy to use by carefully designing the interface in a logical manner and also by writing clear documentation and provide many tutorials. The latest addition is flash video tutorials with hands-on training. They allow users to quickly understand how the software can be used and they have been widely popular.
Fast rendering: We believe the creative process requires a lot of interactivity. Users need to be able to quickly get a feel of the effect they are creating. They want to be able to tweak their animations and receive instant feedback on changes. This is why render-times are so important.
High quality rendering: Of course, the final output has to be beautiful, otherwise it is useless.
Robustness: Software has to be robust. If it keeps crashing or is buggy otherwise, users will be frustrated. It is important to provide tools that actually work in a production environment.
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Copyright © Belief
Belief recently used Trapcode 3D Stroke to create organic fluid lines for a very wide video wall. Here you can see a collage of stills from the production. | P: Trapcode is becoming a defacto tool in the industry and a vital part of the special effects pipeline. How do you feel about this?
PN: I'm thrilled! It's absolutely amazing how successful Trapcode has been in the three years since I started it. I have worked hard and I feel proud.
P: Are you focused on creating new tools or adding new features to the existing set?
PN: I have many ideas for new products as well as ideas for improving the existing ones - I'll do both!
P: We noticed that you just came out with a new plugin for the set called Particular, can you tell us what its about and why you added it?
PN: The biggest reason for developing Trapcode Particular was requests from the industry. Initially I tried to divert the requesters to use other particle systems (like Particle Playground, FEC Particle World, Particle Illusion etc) but they were not satisfied with what was available on the market. I started asking what was missing and I got hooked pretty quickly on the idea of an advanced and easy to use 3D particle system. Two years later it was finally finished - Trapcode Particular.
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Copyright © Belief (4.38 Mb)
Title: New York 1 - "First Stop For News"
Client: NY1
Beliefs creates in this clip an impressionistic version of NYC. | P: The Trapcode Suite runs on Adobe After Effects, what is support like for other applications? Are you planning to bring your tools to other platforms as well?
PN: Supporting multiple hosts add considerably to development and tech-support time. Currently some of our plugs run in Discreet Combustion 3 and Adobe Premiere Pro in addition to Adobe After Effects. We are continuously evaluating support for other hosts and platforms.
P: What's in store for Trapcode in the future, Is there anything new in the Pipeline?
PN: I've got tons of new ideas I want to try out and I get tons of requests from customers. Trapcode will continue to put out cool tools for a long time to come - in fact, we're just getting started!
Interview by Karsten Becker - Pluginz, Inc. |
With Trapcode Suite 2008, the right effects plug-in will always be at your fingertips, because they're all included! Bundle pricing offers enormous savings over purchasing plug-ins individually. Includes Shine, Starglow, 3D Stroke, Lux, Particular, Echospace, Sound Keys, and the new Trapcode Form plug-in.
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