Hello Imagineer,

I am confused.

I have a node locked licence for Mocha v1.0

I then upgraded to Mocha v2 and also bought Shape. So now I have a node locked licence for Mocha v2.

I then purchased AE CS5 which comes with a version of Mocha (Mocha AE v2?).

Is Mocha v2 superior to Mocha v2 AE?

Is Mocha v2.5 AE superior to Mocha V2?

thanks
Ian

Mocha AE is specifically for outputting data to After Effects with Mocha you have a bunch of other options for outputting to different apps. I guess this will depend on what you're doing and if you need mocha in other apps or not.

--
Michele Yamazaki, VP Marketing & Web Development Czarina
Toolfarm.com

Michelle ;-) thanks

As you might have guessed I am looking for the best (for me) update route? Currently I would not expect to output to anything other than AE.

However if there is no additional functionality then I may stick to upgrading the AE version even though I have Mocha (not Pro) v2. Money is too tight to mention - lol

regards
Ian

I have just re-checked the Mocha v2 Ae version that comes with AE CS5. It is version 2.2. As I also own a licence to v2 for AE before CS5 was launched I am slightly aggrieved (given the limited functional change) that I am required to stump up further cash for a .3 update?

I can see an argument that those with the (free?) v2 for AE that came with CS5 being required to pay for the update but those that paid for V2 outside of CS5 should get a free update to v2.5. I would expect to pay for an update to a v3(as a full version change) but even Imagineer have been careful not to call this v3 with 64 bit 'tweaks' and changes to 'icons' I can see why.

Perhaps Imagineer might wish to comment?

regards
Ian

I don't think it's necessary to upgrade unless you really need some of the new features. You can always skip this upgrade and hit the next one.

If this helps: "Imagineer Systems mocha AE Upgrade: $149.00 for Adobe CS4 & CS5 customers with limited promotion upgrade price of $99."

Also, if your a FCP user: "As part of its efforts to streamline and simplify its product offerings, Imagineer Systems also today unveiled mocha AE. mocha AE, a stand alone tracking and roto tool now updated to support both After Effects and Final Cut users, helps After Effects and Final Cut users by bringing advanced planar tracking and matte creation tools in a simple, easy to learn interface. Accurate roto masks can quickly be created with variable per-point edge feathering in record time. Included mocha shape plug-ins allow users to import roto shapes directly to an After Effects layer or Final Cut timeline. mocha AE generates corner pin, scale and transform tracking data as keyframes for the most accurate screen inserts and match moves.

mocha for Final Cut will no longer be sold as a stand-alone product as all of its functionality are now included in mocha AE."

That right there would be worth the price of the upgrade if you're a FCP user.

--
Michele Yamazaki, VP Marketing & Web Development Czarina
Toolfarm.com

Also, I added this mocha/mocha Pro/mocha AE comparison chart to our store just now to make it easier to see the differences.

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Michele Yamazaki, VP Marketing & Web Development Czarina
Toolfarm.com

Michelle.

Thanks. I agree those who use FCP can benefit greatly here but I think my point is that it is usual for 'within versions' i.e. 'point' upgrades to be free to customers and purchasers of software. Occasionally very large or dramatic point changes might be charged and rightly so (for a great example of this please note Red Giants policy of only charging only $29 for upgrading to CS5 compatibility).

Of course I do not HAVE to upgrade but it is the principle.

regards
Grumpy

Hi Ian,

There is an upgrade FAQ and plenty of information of our new web site:

From the FAQ found here:

Q. Why do I have to pay for upgrade?
A. At Imagineer we do our best to provide high quality products and support. Point releases that include bug fixes and known issues are almost always delivered free of charge. For upgrade releases that introduce value added new features, we do charge to support the ongoing development and improvement of our product line.

Sorry that you are frustrated, but you don't have to upgrade if you don't want to. At Imagineer, We feel quite strongly, that $99 special for FCP support, free mocha shape plug-ins, new interface and Open EXR support is beyond a standard point release. The upgrade to mocha AE is version 2.5, the upgrade to the full mocha is mocha v2.5 not sure where you see a v2.3?

I do appreciate your frustration, but with this new release, new web site and new product role-out, we have really tried hard to listen to our users and create a simplified and affordable batch of products. I speak to compositors every day that tell me how much time mocha saves them for tracking and roto jobs. Often mocha saves over 1 or more hours of time per job...

If you only work in After Effects, then quite possibly what ships with CS5 is working well for you and there is no need to upgrade. However, with the current Adobe-Imagineer agreement, updated versions of mocha AE only go out 1-2 times a year. I try to let customers know that buying the newest product from Imagineer (or toolfarm) will insure you are on a point release cycle. So beyond features, what goes out in mocha AE 2.5 has lots of fixes that are not in the CS5 release from last year.

Lastly, the full version of mocha v2.5 is also an excellent value at $499 upgrade from any Imagineer product. Now includes: free shape plug-ins, improved Nuke support, Open EXR support, Stabilize module and more.

If you have more specific gripes or concerns with the upgrade pricing and policy, feel free to contact me direct as Toolfarm obviously does not set the pricing or features - though they do a great job helping us sell them!

All the best,
Ross

Ross Shain
Chief Marketing Officer
Imagineer Systems Ltd.

www.imagineersystems.com
Email: rosss AT imagineersystems.com

Ross,
Firstly, thanks for a detailed reply.

I did not make myself clear. Mocha for AE as currently installed with my CS5 is version 2.2. A move from 2.2 => 2.5 is a 0.3 point upgrade.

I now see that from the Imagineer website that Mocha v2 owners (full Mocha not Mocha ae and not Mocha PRO) get an upgrade to v2.5 for free (good for them).

As a PC user who paid for BOTH Mocha v2 and Shape for AE CS4 only to find it free in CS5 I was not well pleased but those are the breaks. So I have two copied of Mocha v2 for AE node locked to the same PC.

Obviously as a PC user I have no need for any interface to FCP (a MAC product?). In fact I actually know absolutely no one personally who owns a MAC! That might be a shock to those in the commercial gfx world? This as an professional IT person myself in a site with 700 IT staff. Yes we have very few creatives.

However I still say good for the FCP users they will want to grab this update.

Now I do know how much time and effort Imagineer staffers have put into this product having just completed my second session of helping beta test the PRO version and very good it is. I must point out I do not own Mocha Pro which was on a rolling 12 day (I think ) licence.

However it must be realised that non-commercial hobbyists (like me) cannot write off the cost of these plugins to any customer nor do we need it as much (daedlines and tasks?). None-the-less I do feel slightly aggrieved that v2.2 => v2.5 is not free given the small improvement. I would rather (personally) upgrade (readers take note) to the superior V2.5 of Mocha which has the stabilisation built-in however £499 dollars is a ginormous amount for me.

regards
Ian