Initially known by its code name, "Intromaker," Clipmaker 1 was Panzoid’s first true venture into online animation and intro creation. Released in January 2014, this tool was a revolutionary web-based platform for creating simple intros and short animations. With a UI borrowed from Backgrounder 2, Clipmaker 1 allowed users to experiment with keyframes, text animations, and basic 3D effects. Despite the lack of a music playback or waveform synchronization feature—making precise timing a challenge—users still found creative ways to produce engaging content.
For its time, Clipmaker 1 was groundbreaking. It allowed anyone with an internet connection to generate a personalized video intro, something that was quite cutting-edge back then. The limitations of Clipmaker 1, like its clunky keyframe handling and the absence of audio syncing tools, ultimately fueled demand for a more feature-rich successor. Nevertheless, it provided the foundational experience that Panzoid's growing community needed, setting the stage for the significantly enhanced Clipmaker 2.
