Shake 4.1 at a Fraction of the Price

by David Kender
Published on Jun 23, 2006 1:00 PM



June 23, 2006 - This week Apple released Shake 4.1, a new universal update for its 3D compositing, keying, and effects software. Apple has also drastically reduced the price, down from $2999 to $499.

Tuesday’s announcement was more than a routine roll-out of new features. The price drop indicates a clear shift in Apple’s marketing strategies for Shake. The software, previously in the domain of big budget production houses (Industrial Light and Magic, notably), will now find its way into even bare bones producers.

”Shake is now priced as a low as plug-in for Final Cut Studio,” said Rob Schoeben, Apple’s vice president of Applications Product Marketing. Shake 4, released just 14 months ago, sold for more than five times the price of the Shake 4.1.

The latest version of Shake is optimized to run on Intel-based Macs. It features a clear optical flow image analysis, stabilization functions, image tracking, and C-like scripting language and macros. It also offers a full range of 2D and 3D compositing.

Those unlucky enough to have purchased Shake 4 will be offered the chance to upgrade to the much, much cheaper Shake 4.1 for only fifty additional dollars. See the software’s homepage for more details.


A screenshot of Shake 4 at work on King Kong