Hands-On Review: CrazyTalk 3.0

##AUTHORSPLIT##<--->

Reallusion Inc., (408) 350-1693, www.reallusion.com

Reallusion's CrazyTalk 3.0 ($49.95) is one of the most innovative and entertaining photo-editing programs to date. It allows students to animate photos of their classmates, friends, animals or even historical figures.

CrazyTalk uses simple tools to turn any photograph of a person or animal into a living, talking being. The easy-to-use interface gives even young users the freedom to get started quickly. Once a photograph has been "morphed" into the system, the possibilities are endless. Several computer-generated voices are available for modification, or the user can record his or her own voice into the program. From there, users can type anything into the text box and the CrazyTalk image will recite the text word for word. Facial expressions and 16 different emotions can also be programmed into the speech with the click of a button.

In addition, a sampling of historical figures' photos comes with the program, so teachers can easily integrate this program into history lessons by having students animate photos or paintings. You can also purchase add-on ImagePacks for $14.95 each in areas such as literature, math and science, and paintings and artwork. Each ImagePack comes with 30 pre-fitted models ready to animate. Another advantage of the program is its ability to allow users to create CrazyTalk cards and instant messages. The company also offers a CrazyTalk Web Edition ($79.95), which lets you add interactive "virtual hosts" to your Web pages.

- Shay McKinley

Featured

  • cloud icon with a padlock overlay set against a digital background featuring binary code and network nodes

    Cloud Security Auditing Tool Uses AI to Validate Providers' Security Assessments

    The Cloud Security Alliance has unveiled a new artificial intelligence-powered system that automates the validation of cloud service providers' (CSPs) security assessments, aiming to improve transparency and trust across the cloud computing landscape.

  • robot brain with various technology and business icons

    Google Cloud Study: Early Agentic AI Adopters See Better ROI

    Google Cloud has released its second annual ROI of AI study, finding that 52% of enterprise organizations now deploy AI agents in production environments. The comprehensive survey of 3,466 senior leaders across 24 countries highlights the emergence of a distinct group of "agentic AI early adopters" who are achieving measurably higher returns on their AI investments.

  • laptop with a neural network image, surrounded by books, notebooks, a magnifying glass, a pencil cup, and a desk lamp

    D2L Updates Lumi with Personalized Study Supports

    Learning platform D2L has introduced new artificial intelligence features for D2L Lumi that help provide more personalized study supports for students.

  • cloud with binary code and technology imagery

    Hybrid and AI Expansion Outpacing Cloud Security

    A survey from the Cloud Security Alliance and Tenable finds that rapid adoption of hybrid, multi-cloud and AI systems is outpacing the security measures meant to protect them, leaving organizations exposed to preventable breaches and identity-related risks.