Aviary is an ambitious suite of web based image editing apps created to enable collaboration among artists of all genres and to provide artists a direct distribution channel to the marketplace. If you're already discounting online flash applications as a plausible alternative to desktop apps like Adobe Illustrator, Gimp, Photoshop, etc., Aviary agrees with you to a certain extent.
What Aviary is offering, make that "soon to offer" is a score of online tools that integrate with one another in one package. The idea is to provide online collaboration capabilities to artists, especially hobbyists and budding artists. The tools are especially useful for quick collaboration, mock ups, and initial team feedback, in ways where file sharing from desktop apps just aren't. And that's Aviary's niche.
Aviary's tools aren't your typical crop, resize, take out red eye kind of tools. Think 3D modeler, vector editor, Flex based pattern generator, color swatch generator, video and sound editors, desktop publishing, and the list goes on and on.
Currently, the only tool available for use right now is Phoenix, a layer based image editor, with others soon to follow. We checked out Phoenix and thought it was pretty impressive. It has extensive features for indepth editing which should work for the casual user and pro alike. Some of Aviary's tools will have an AIR version so you can use them offline and then sync when you get online.
Aviary offers a social web 2.0 aspect where you can comment on other's works, make your revisions to their work, follow them as fans, and have favorites.
Something cool is Nest, a Flash based 3D art gallery, where you can showcase your art and then "wander" around to your friend's galleries - creating a virtual museum, where you're the curator. You can post your gallery on your website to share with others.
Aviary is in closed beta, but the first 100 Download Squad readers will get to try it out. Just click on Aviary at the top of the post. And be sure to leave us your impressions afterwards.
Requirements
Aviary runs on any PC, Mac, or Linux system that has Adobe Flash 9 installed and an internet connection.
Aviary was developed by Worth1000 and is headquartered in Long Island, New York, employing a staff of 12.
[via UNEASYsilence]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-14-2008 @ 4:52PM
Kent said...
Hmmm - "Aviary is in closed beta, but the first 100 Download Squad readers will get to try it out. Just click on Aviary at the top of the post." Maybe you meant to make that a special link? Nothing special about just sending people to the homepage...
Reply
2-27-2008 @ 10:42PM
Avi Muchnick said...
The link was right Kent. Aviary tracks referrers and will know the first 100 people coming from the downloadsquad link.
2-14-2008 @ 5:13PM
Kent said...
Ahh, thanks - cool.
Reply
2-14-2008 @ 8:32PM
matt said...
i would like an invite s'il vous plait!
Reply
2-14-2008 @ 9:58PM
Dolores Parker said...
Matt,
Be sure to click on the Aviary link in the post and sign up. Aviary is tracking the referrers and will know the first 100 people coming from Download Squad.
Thanks and let us know your initial thoughts on Aviary.
2-14-2008 @ 9:14PM
Todd said...
I'd love an invite too.
Thanks
Reply
2-14-2008 @ 9:37PM
InfiniteSword said...
I Want a invitation! I already knew about this and i'm axious to try it!
Reply
2-15-2008 @ 1:04AM
syao-chan said...
The service had me at hello when I saw the first page. Breathtaking blue skies! 0.0
The premise is promising (pardon the alliteration), and I'm looking forward to seeing the people behind it deliver all their promised tools.
What I especially loved though was how all the 'birds' concept flowed on all the products. Very, very nice :)
P.S.
Will wait eagerly for the invite in my mailbox *wink*
Reply
3-06-2008 @ 11:54AM
Bagga said...
Please! I want a invitation!
I heard about it and I really wanna try it
Reply
3-09-2008 @ 12:27PM
Jack T said...
looks cool, please send me an invite , i wana try it out!!
Reply