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I have been playing with a trial version of crystal 3d impact. 
This is not the pro version. Is the pro version pretty good or 
should I be looking at different 3d programs for 3d text and logo's 
altogether? Any insight will be appreciated. Also any hints for 
keying out the background. I've tried white, black, green etc yet 
I still either lose some of the model or end up with artifacts 
around the edges.

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Output to targas with an alpha channel. The keying will be perfect.



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Instead of "Make Movie", select Render Animation. Save as a file 
sequence, anim001.tga, anim002.tga, anim003.tga...animNNN.tga.

When selecting the file type, select 32 bit .TGA; this will save 
the alpha channel automatically. Render over a black background.

I don't recommend 3D Impact Pro for serious work, but it's OK for 
quick logos. It adds additional beveling options, materials, and 
motion paths, and adds the ability to add lights to the scene 
(an essential, in my opinion.)