COOL 3D 3.0 Complete package : Read reviews and compare prices at Ciao.co.uk

Author's product rating:

Instructions / Help	Good
Ease of use	Very easy
Ease of Installation	Good - quick to install
Value For Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Does a superb job quickly and easily .
Disadvantages:	none

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Ulead Cool 3D is an exceptional package when you consider what it does compared to how much you might expect to pay for such a package. I bought my copy in The Works of which there are quite a few branches spread all over the UK, it cost me £3.99 and was an excellent investment.

The program is very easy to install, just insert the CD and follow the simple instructions, and in a few minutes you'll be up and running. The program opens up with a large panel where you create your 3D masterpiece. This is mainly done by using the objects, textures, and various other neat little tricks which are housed in a folder under the left of the main screen. To the right of this you will see a graphic of the objects in the current part of the folder you are in.

The folder is split into main categories

1. Studio

Here you can select some pre rendered scenes and objects to use in your project. There is a good amount of stuff here to help you understand how the program operates and creates the end product of a 3D scene with moving graphics moving how YOU intended them to. In this folder there are compositions to copy or edit, shapes of which you can also edit, grouped objects to give you an understanding of how to group objects.

2. Object Style

This section of the folders is where you add you colour and textures and as per standard everything is drag and drop. Once you have dragged and dropped you can preview your creation and undo if required. Other options here include light and colour.

The last three sections of the folder are used for various effects on an object, and to add transitions and bevels to objects.

At the top of the screen above the main viewing area there are control buttons where you can edit how things appear and move from and to. This once again is all done through drag and drop and you can preview and undo at any time. Using some of the easily understandable icons you can place objects nearer or further away from the current camera position which can also be moved quite easily.

Once you have completed your 3D project you can save it or render it. Rendering simply means create a video file of your project where all your little creations come to life. You can have a flying text banner in £D with your name circling from front to back and changing as it moves to say you hubby's name. Sounds pretty naff but in actual fact when you do it it looks pretty cool, I guess that's why they call it Cool 3D.

There is a tremendous amount you can do with this program like creating your own MGM type logo to use at the beginning of all your home videos and DVD's. I edited one of the samples supplied and came up with what I consider to be a very professional looking logo where three balls spin around and when the meet they change in D O N again quite simple but effective. All your creations can be used as part of your DVD/Video projects or indeed if you so desire as part of your website.

If you are into this kind of thing this program is a godsend and will keep you amused for hours as it has me. It is great value for money even if you only use it for mucking around and just seeing what it can do. All in all an excellent piece of gear.