Softimage Announces Availability of Toonz Version 4.4; - The New Version of Toonz Extends Platform Support to Linux and Includes a New Particles Plug-In for Atmospheric Effects -.

Business/Technology Editors

MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 25, 2000

Softimage Co., a subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVID), today announced that Toonz version 4.4 software is expected to ship at the end of July 2000. Developed by Digital Video S.r.l. of Italy and distributed by Softimage, the Toonz product is 2-D cel animation software used by animators worldwide to create cartoons that retain the quality of hand drawings while increasing productivity.

Toonz version 4.4 software expands the capabilities of 2-D cel animation. The current version 4.3 is supported by Irix and Microsoft Windows NT platforms. Now, with the arrival of the 4.4 version, platform support of Toonz software is extended to the Linux and Windows 2000(R) operating systems. The expansion of the Toonz product to these new platforms increases the accessibility of the industry's leading 2-D cel animation software to a broader base of animators.

New Scintillae Particles and FX Plug-In

Creating believable atmospheric effects is an ongoing challenge for 2-D cel animators because of the time involved in hand drawing effects such as rain, snow, sparkles and smoke. Version 4.4 offers a new plug-in for the Toonz software called Scintillae. This new particles engine incorporates features that will accelerate usability and efficiency for animators. Animators familiar with Toonz software will find the Scintillae plug-in easy to use because once installed, it's easily found on the Xsheet module of Toonz software as a new main FX folder.

"Although animators will continue to hand-draw close-up effects shots that require detail and accuracy, the Scintillae particles engine gives you the capability of generating realistic layers of atmospheric effects, such as fog or snow, quickly and easily. It can shave hours, if not days off a production," said Maurice Patel, product manager of Toonz.

"Toonz also works extremely well with the SOFTIMAGE|DS and SOFTIMAGE|3D systems," adds Patel. "It allows users to totally integrate 2D cel animation with 3D animation and editing."

Scott Vanzo, Director of Computer Graphics at Rough Draft Studio, whose projects include Mike Judge's Beavis and Butthead and The Maxx, beta tested the Scintillae Plug-in. "Our use of Scintillae often precludes the need to utilize third-party software in order to achieve more sophisticated effects," acknowledged Vanzo. "This simplifies our rendering pipeline: we can now produce more effects, like lens flares, rotational blurs and procedural distortions without multiple render passes and file conversions. With Scintillae's glow we finally have a single effect that accurately simulates the appearance of an optical black lighting exposure, all with a minimum of fuss."

Other new features of interest to 2-D cel animators include 3:2 pull-down, support for Twain scanners and new DDR functionality. The 3:2 pull-down feature allows animators to move quickly from video frame rates to film frame rates. The ease of switching between video and film saves time and cost during cartoon creation. Support for Twain compliant scanners enables animators to use a wider range of image scanners than ever before. The DDR feature allows users to render directly to a video device, which streamlines the production process.

"We have demanding users - digital animators, feature film houses and production houses for commercials, video and interactive media. Toonz version 4.4 software was developed with their needs in mind," said Claudio Mattei, managing director of Digital Video. "Toonz can be used to create high-end quality cartoons on a wider range of workstations, therefore making this new version much easier to integrate in any production environment."

Pricing and Availability

The complete Toonz version 4.4 is expected to ship at the end of July 2000. Toonz version 4.4 for Irix, Linux and Windows NT and Windows 2000 platforms is available for USMSRP $11,995. A video resolution version of the studio license is also available for USMSRP $8,495. Users of Toonz version 4.3, under a maintenance contract, will receive a free upgrade to Toonz version 4.4. Scintillae version 1.0 will be available for USMSRP $2,490. For pricing on add-on packages, maintenance contracts and training, please contact the nearest Avid or Softimage reseller.

About Digital Video S.r.l.

Founded in 1992, Digital Video S.r.l. is based in Rome (Italy) and has as its only mission, the development of Toonz, the world leader computer application in the cel animation market. Additional information about Digital Video can be found via the Internet at http://www.divideo.it.

About Avid Technology, Inc.

Avid Technology, Inc., of which Softimage Co. is a subsidiary, is an international, industry-leading provider of digital audio and video tools for information and entertainment applications. Avid'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 the Softimage site at www.softimage.com or the Avid site at www.avid.com.

(c)2000 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product specifications are subject to change without notice. All prices are USMSRP for U.S. and Canada only and are subject to change without notice. Contact your local Avid or Softimage office or reseller for prices outside the U.S. and Canada. Avid and Softimage are registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. Toonz is developed in Italy by SBP S.p.a. Itaca S.r.l. and Digital Video S.r.l. and is distributed by Softimage Co.