Digital Domain Completes Multi-Million Dollar Discreet Systems and Software Purchase.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NAB2003

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 2003

Academy Award-Winning Visual Effects Studio Chooses Discreet's

Latest Technology to Further Cement Position at the Bleeding-Edge of

Visual Effects Creativity

(NAB Booth # SL-1500)-- Discreet, a division of Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK), announced today that Los Angeles-based Digital Domain has completed a multi-million dollar Discreet installation, including a new inferno (R)5 suite, upgrades to its fleet of flame(R) and flint(R) visual effects systems and expansion of its combustion (R)2.1 desktop compositing capabilities-- guaranteeing its technological edge as a one of the world's top visual effects studios.

Spurred by a need for advanced technology to enable faster, higher-quality workflows without compromising on creative tools, Digital Domain selected Discreet's award-winning solutions with a view to advancing its production capabilities now and for the future.

Digital Domain's investment in Discreet technology included a new inferno 5 system based on the SGI(R) Onyx(R) 3200 supercomputer, nine flame 8 and 10 flint 8 system upgrades, and 10 new combustion 2.1 software licenses(1). In recent years, Digital Domain, after garnering a solid reputation as an Academy Award(R)-winning film studio, has diversified its business to include a wide range of television and commercial post-production work, leveraging its industry-recognized visual effects expertise across multiple markets. Discreet systems have the dual capability of working with high resolution film scans as well as with the full range of video and HDTV formats--a key requirement for Digital Domain's hybrid production needs.

"Our investment in Discreet's products has always proved to be extremely profitable - it helps keep our work at the forefront of visual effects," said Michael Taylor, vice-president of digital production and technology at Digital Domain. "Discreet continues to deliver innovation at a pace that matches our ever-faster advances in production techniques. its systems are definitely the compositing systems of choice for me and for projects here at Digital Domain, and keep us ahead of the competition."

"The latest release, v5/8, is outstanding--it allows our artists to work with even more layers of film in a fast and interactive manner, which is key to creativity and productivity," said Fred Raimondi, Visual Effects Supervisor at Digital Domain. "The integration of the whole product--the fact that there is an editor, a compositor, tracker, a powerful paint system, and optical effects--makes it a complete imaging solution. With Discreet's systems we can translate ideas into realities very quickly."

Recently, Digital Domain applied its extensive creative talent, together with Discreet solutions, to create two evocative commercials that debuted during Super Bowl XXXVII--a Gatorade spot featuring Michael Jordan playing basketball against a younger version of himself, and a Sony commercial featuring a retiree going to the moon. Both showcase how Discreet's advanced visual effects tools can create a lasting visual impact on an audience when placed in the hands of some the world's most talented digital artists.

From creating mesmerizing music video effects for renowned artists like The Rolling Stones and Celine Dion, to embellishing the latest blockbuster movies, Digital Domain has long relied on Discreet systems and software to help sweep aside technical boundaries and bring its creative visions to life. The Academy Award(R)-winning studio has also used Discreet systems for nearly a decade to create high-caliber visual effects scenes for blockbuster films such as True Lies, Titanic, What Dreams May Come, and the recent Lord of The Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, XXX and Star Trek: Nemesis.

"Discreet is way ahead of the pack in visual effects," added Taylor. "Look at the work, the quality of the work, the flexibility--flame is the center of every project. When it comes done to getting it finished, getting the work done and getting it in front of the client, then we'll turn to our flame and inferno systems every time."

"Digital Domain has long been a key partner for Discreet," said Martin Vann, vice-president of worldwide systems sales and marketing at Discreet. "They push our technology to its limits and, as a result have helped ensure that we to deliver the industry's most compelling creative solutions for high-resolution post-production - whether it's HDTV, 2K digital intermediates or 3K and above visual effects film scans."

Discreet will showcase its latest innovations at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) tradeshow and conference--(Discreet Booth #SL-1500) in Las Vegas, April 7th--10th 2003.

About Discreet

Discreet empowers media professionals to realize the visual experience and transform their most evocative and ambitious visions into reality. Discreet's award-winning solutions are designed for digital media creation, management and delivery--across all disciplines from film and television visual effects, color grading and editing to animation, game development, web/interactive, and design visualization. Discreet is based in Montreal, Quebec and is a division of Autodesk, Inc, the world's leading design and digital media creation, management, and distribution company. Product and corporate information: www.discreet.com.

Discreet is a division of Autodesk, Inc. Discreet, combustion, inferno, flame, and flint are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. /Autodesk Canada Inc. in the USA and/or other countries. ACADEMY AWARD(S)(R) and OSCAR(S)(R) design mark are the registered trademarks and service marks, and the OSCAR(R) statuette the copyrighted property, of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

(C)Copyright 2003, Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

(1)The sale comprised software, upgrades and hardware.