Well, I'm curious what you'd *like* to be able to do with it. TG2 and related applications (Engen) has at this point been used in as many feature films as Vue, to my knowledge, and probably more individual shots considering Engen's heavy use in Stealth. So clearly these applications are being used for the purposes we've talked about being one of our focuses, i.e. effects work in feature films. But the fact remains that TG2 and applications like it are very much niche applications. That's a limitation we are not only well aware of, but that we rely on to provide us a market. We have no illusions that we could ever compete with larger, more general applications, nor would we want to.
So the reality is TG2 will never be a major part of many films simply because there is often little need for non-location-based outdoor scenery. However in cases where there is such a need, TG2 can absolutely shine and becomes almost indispensable. Stealth would have been impossible without an application like TG2. Likewise many science fiction films, like Star Trek: Nemesis, have great need for this kind of application. In the future I think more and more productions will also go the way of films like "300", with the vast majority of filming done on a set and with backgrounds added digitally. This is another prime example of value for TG2.
Yet even in those cases TG2 is not likely to ever comprise the entirety of any single shot, or even of a matte background. With the output of any application, included 3DS Max, Maya, etc., there is almost always compositing of multiple elements and other "post work" to get the final film frame. This process is vital for getting the exact results needed (as no one application ever seems to be quite right for *everything*), and for maintaining consistency in visual presentation throughout the film. So even while TG2 may be extremely valuable in many cases, you will always be working with other applications, or other artists using those applications. Even as import/export improves, there will still be elements that must be rendered in other applications, simply because that is their area of specialization (fluid dynamics is a great example).
As we have said before this is really the core of the market we are aiming for with TG2, those working in the effects industry and who will likely be working with a suite of applications to accomplish their goals. That being said TG2 is still very applicable to hobbyists, who comprised the vast majority of our users for TG 0.9, and whom we also want to maintain as satisfied customers. Most users of TG 0.9 never had any commercial success, as is true with any other application in this area (Bryce, World Builder, Vue, etc.). They used TG for artistic expression and fun. TG2 has the same value. But again if what you want is commercial viability and you're asking yourself whether the skills you're building will have any value in that market, yes there is a definite possibility. Just remember that, as it is a niche in the software market, so too is it a niche in the employment market for effects professionals. The flip side of that is that professional-level landscape artistry is rare and those people will be increasingly in demand as the film industry relies more and more on digital sets and set extension. So if you get good enough in this area, you may have career possibilities.
Finally, in regards to the areas we need to improve to best serve our markets, I think it's clear that import/export will be very important, and likewise animation. These are areas we plan to focus on once we finish the initial release of TG2. Fortunately the skills you can develop now in scene creation will absolutely be applicable in the future once more powerful tools become available for working with other applications.
I hope that helps answer some of your questions.
- Oshyan
