Application creates interactive 3D landscapes

Outbound is a new application for Mac users that transforms the desktop background into a 3D landscape that users can soar over infinitely. The app generates backgrounds in real-time as the user moves the cursor, creating an animated painting-like effect with a small bird that follows the cursor's movement.

Landscape changes with time of day

Unlike a simple looping video, Outbound's landscapes are dynamic and change based on the time of day, with lighting effects such as shadows lengthening at sunset and house windows lighting up at night. This creates a more immersive and realistic experience compared to static or pre-recorded backgrounds.

Eight distinct environments available

The application offers eight different environments inspired by real-world locations, including Japanese rice fields in Niigata, the fields of Punjab in India, tulip fields in the Netherlands, the plains of Kansas, Normandy, the Serengeti, Lapland, and the Argentine pampas. Each environment has a distinct atmosphere, and users can adjust settings such as scrolling speed, the duration of time spent in each environment (ranging from 6 minutes to one hour), or choose to keep the same decor indefinitely.

Customization and performance features

Additional features include the ability to add borders that resemble the contours of a painting and support for multi-screen configurations, where the same landscape is extended across multiple displays. To optimize performance, Outbound automatically pauses when the screen is on standby or when Energy Saver mode is activated. It also allows users to suspend the animation when the desktop is hidden.

Pricing and availability

Outbound is available for purchase at 4.49 euros, tax-exempt, without subscription, and includes a license valid for three Macs. It requires an Apple Silicon machine running macOS 13 Ventura or newer. The application is translated into French and its source code is available on GitHub, though a license is still required for use. Windows and iPhone versions are also under development, and the developer allows users to sign up to be notified of their availability.