Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso would have loved Autodesk’s universal Fluid FX ($1.99) app, because it allows you to create bizarre images using photos in your device’s library. After playing around with this app on both the iPad and iPhone 4, I found that swirling images of myself, friends and co-workers around the screen is more immersive on the larger device.
The developers of Fluid FX pre-loaded dozens of dazzling images in the app, including a monkey, fish, lightning, original art, and head-shots of the Autodesk ® team. Warping images is the tip of the iceberg, as you have access to a myriad of amazing special effects in two categories – Smoke and Fire. In total, there are more than two dozen effects in these categories.
And without further ado, I will now rattle off a pair of my favorites. Arctic Vapor combines a metallic blue color pattern with smoke effect that lingers for a bit on the screen and then fades into total blackness. On the Fire side, I found the Armageddon effect to be quite compelling once I pressed the ‘play’ button; after which I watched five fireballs float around the screen.
This app allows for up to 10 touch points simultaneously, so multiple people can play with it at once. Or one person can unleash the full power of their imagination (within the parameters of Fluid FX’s options) by using both hands. Hopefully the developers will add effects to the library with future updates. For now, there is more than enough on this app to keep you entertained.
You can adjust the gravity, viscosity, swirl and other effects with the dials located in the app’s control board. There’s also the option of pressing ‘play’ so the image will swirl continuously, based on preset effects.
And of course, there’s an option to upload photos from your device’s library. I ended up emailing photos stored on my iPhone 4 to the iPad for easier access.
The About section informs of the compelling history of mathematics that paved the way for Autodesk Maya, the pioneer program for Fluid Effects that is also the technology for which is used by visual artists and in films. It even includes a profile on Joe Stam, Autodesk’s Senior Research Scientist.
All in all, contorting images and adding special effects with this Academy Award ®winning technology (thanks for letting us know, trusty developer notes) suits anyone who loves wasting time on their iPad or iPhone.
