Introduction:
Right Hemisphere's Deep Paint 3d (DP3D) is a powerful and impressive tool for anyone needing to paint with expression or precision on the computer. You can paint in 2D mode (flat artwork), 2.5D mode (flat artwork with 3D painting effects, or 3D mode (painting directly on a 3D object). DP3D can be used in standalone mode, as a plug-in for Photoshop or used with a 3d-animation software package; (with the plug-ins DP3D includes). DP3D's five painting channels: color, bump, shine, glow and opacity render in real-time. And DP3D is optimized for use with the Wavcom Intuous Tablet, (to be reviewed later time).

Explanation of 2D, 2.5D and 3D:
The 2D mode allows you to paint as you would in most painting software packages. However, DP3D not only has PhotoShop plug-in support, but it has it's own unique and extensive painting tool set that allows you the freedom of creating your own tools as well. This allows for more customizing and versatility of your brushes. You can have total control over how your brush looks, acts and functions whether you're painting on a digital canvas or directly on a 3D model.

Image without manipulation.	Image with Chalk Cloner Brush

The 2.5 mode allows you to paint 2D with the 'look' of 3D by using color, bump, and shine. It's like painting in Photoshop, then applying an 'effect' to it, for example, bevel. However, in this program the painting and effects are interactive. After painting your 2.5D strokes on the canvas you can change the light direction and the brush strokes will appear accordingly. Very cool! The brush strokes overlap and can actually mix with one another giving a 3D look to the painting.

The 3D mode allows you to paint your 3D model with color, bump, shine, glow and opacity in a 3D space. You can paint on the surface of one 3D object or on the surface of multiple 3D objects. DP3D has the capability to open MAYA, 3D Studio Max, LightWave (available soon for LW 6) and SoftImage models by using the corresponding plug-ins. Unlike some other programs where you have to purchase separate plug-ins, these DP3D plug-ins are included free of charge.

To begin with:
Installation for Right Hemisphere's Deep Paint 3D with Texture Weapons was quick. One tip, don't install all the (animation software) plug-ins unless you have all the software pertaining to the plug-ins installed on your computer. I was going to review one of the software packages mentioned above in a few weeks, so I thought I would go ahead and install the plug-in now. However, because the software wasn't installed, an error message was given during installing, "Not enough memory to install software." How bizarre is that?! However, I figured what the problem was and as soon as I installed without plug-ins, it worked like a charm.

The manual/tutorials book that comes with the software gives a good basic understanding of DP3D. Watch out for updated versions on their web site. For a manual of Texture Weapons you will need to read the manual on the CDROM or download a copy at www.righthemisphere.com. The manuals are precise and thorough enough that you understand how to expand on the basic principles and incorporate them into your workflow. The manual seems to repeat itself, but this is necessary to understand the complete workflow structure. It's not difficult, it’s just that the manual covers the each procedure so you can understand the infinite number of possibilities.

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