Have you ever wanted to get an animation and rendering software package but have been turned away by the extremely high price? For a limited time you can get pmG’s messiahStudio5 Basic Edition for $10 (originally $499) or Pro Edition for $40 (originally $1195) if enough people take part in order to meet the goal. Once this goal is met, the prices return to normal, so you’d better hurry…they’re about 75% of the way there at press time.

Emmy Award-winning Toon Boom Animation Inc. has announced the launch of Toon Boom Studio 4.5 and its Toon Boom Studio Importer to Flash (TBSi). This latest version widens the animation possibilities by enabling users to create photo animation and live-action cartooning. Additional new features include a better integration with Photoshop files, extended ease of use, the ability to print, more export options to iTunes and YouTube as well as the import of Flip Boom and Animation-ish projects. TBSi lets users import Toon Boom Studio projects directly into Adobe Flash CS2 and CS3, resulting in a streamlined workflow for adding interactivity to their projects.

Product features after the break.