iClone is a 3D rendering and animation software program that enables users to make 3D animated films. It is notable for being one of only three pieces of animation software (the other two being Muvizu and Autodesk MotionBuilder) that use a real-time "WYSIWYG" view to let animators see the results of their work immediately, and to play back animations in the viewport. This real-time feature is enabled by using a 3D videogame engine for instant on-screen rendering.[1]
Other functionality includes: full facial and skeletal animation of human and animal figures; lip-syncing;[2] import of standard 3D file types including FBX; a timeline for editing and merging motions; a scripting language (Lua) for character interaction; application of standard motion-capture files; the ability to control an animated scene in the same manner as playing a videogame; and the import of models from Google 3D Warehouse, among many other features. iClone is also notable for offering users royalty-free usage of all content that they create with the software, even when using Reallusion's own assets library.[3]
iClone is developed by Reallusion, a company that has a software development base in Taiwan and offices and training centres in the U.S. and Germany. As of March 2013, the iClone software is in version 5.4.
