Avid Announces New Release of SOFTIMAGE3D 3.8SP2; -- New Version Incorporates Mental Ray 2.1 Rendering Software --.MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 6, 1999-- Avid(R) Technology Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on :AVID) today announced the forthcoming service pack release of its SOFTIMAGE(R)3D product, an industry-leading modeling, animation and rendering system. The new release includes mental ray v.2.1 rendering software and offers improved image quality and significantly faster previewing and rendering. The new version is targeted for availability in August 1999. This latest version of SOFTIMAGE3D is the first software package to include all of the advantages of mental ray v.2.1, the world's leading commercial renderer. Some of the more powerful features included: -- Global Illumination Global illumination algorithms used in 3D computer graphics are commonly used to add realistic lighting to 3D scenes. Such algorithms take into account not only the light which comes directly from a light source (direct illumination produces natural-looking reflected light, enabling the creation of more realistic images with fewer light sources and easier setup. -- Caustic Effects recreate the reflected or refracted re·fract tr.v. re·fract·ed, re·fract·ing, re·fracts 1. To deflect (light, for example) from a straight path by refraction. 2. light as projected through water or crystal. -- Shadow Mapping Shadow mapping or projective shadowing is a process by which shadows are added to 3D computer graphics. This concept was introduced by Lance Williams in 1978, in a paper entitled "Casting curved shadows on curved surfaces". offers high-speed shadow generation without the need for ray tracing A rendering method that simulates light reflections, refractions and shadows. It follows a light path from a specific source and computes each pixel in the image to simulate the effect of the light. It is a very process-intensive operation. See reflection mapping and radiosity. . -- Polygon Displacement Mapping Displacement mapping is an alternative computer graphics technique in contrast to bump mapping, normal mapping, and parallax mapping, using a (procedural-) texture- or height map to cause an effect where the actual geometric position of points over the textured surface are enables the use of displacement maps on polygonal geometry, which in turn allows the creation of complex looking objects with simple texture maps. -- Rendering Performance has been vastly improved through the implementation of features like automatic, incremental object re-tessellation, which updates an object only when it is changed; grid acceleration, an innovative algorithm for accelerated rendering; and selective feature disabling which enhances preview performance. SOFTIMAGE3D 3.8SP2 promises to serve as an ideal bridge to the company's next generation of 3D product due at the end of 1999, code-named "Sumatra." The Sumatra Renderer is based entirely on mental ray 2.1 and builds upon its power with full-resolution interactive performance. Through the inclusion of mental ray 2.1, this service pack of SOFTIMAGE3D gives early access to the future of Sumatra. Softimage is also pleased to announce a distribution agreement with REALVIZ, makers of MatchMover. Using MatchMover, animators can easily mix live-action footage and SOFTIMAGE3D animation into seamless, perfectly matched image sequences. A pay-per-use license of MatchMover for Windows NT (Windows New Technology) A 32-bit operating system from Microsoft for Intel x86 CPUs. NT is the core technology in Windows 2000 and Windows XP (see Windows). Available in separate client and server versions, it includes built-in networking and preemptive multitasking. will accompany all new purchases, upgrades, and maintenance packages of SOFTIMAGE3D. The SOFTIMAGE3D 3.8 SP2 service pack is free to all customers under a valid maintenance contract as of August 1, 1999. SOFTIMAGE3D is an industry-leader for 3D character animation Character animation is a specialized process of the animation process, concerning the animation of one or more characters featured in an animated work. It is usually as one aspect of a larger production, and often to complement voice acting. and special effects special effects, in motion pictures, cinematographic techniques that create illusions in the audience's minds as well as the illusions created using these techniques. in the film, commercial and game development markets. With continuing innovations in organic modeling techniques, character animation and high-quality rendering, SOFTIMAGE3D defines and drives the tools found in many other animation packages. About Avid Technology "Avid" redirects here. For the "Advancement Via Individual Determination" educational program, see AVID. Avid Technology, Inc NASDAQ: AVID is an American company specializing in video and audio production technology; specifically, digital non-linear media editing (NLE) , Inc. Avid Technology, Inc., which acquired Softimage Co. in 1998, is an international, industry-leading provider of digital audio and video tools for information and entertainment applications. The company's products are used by a variety of customers worldwide including film, television and interactive content producers, TV news broadcasters, corporate communicators and consumers. For more information, visit Avid's Web site at www.avid.com or the Softimage site at www.softimage.com (c) 1999 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product specifications subject to change without notice. Avid and Softimage are registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc., or its subsidiaries or divisions. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. |
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