New Release Empowers Creativity and Drives Productivity in 3D Pipelines
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Aug. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc.
(Nasdaq: ADSK), today announced Autodesk 3ds Max 8 software, the latest
version of its award winning 3D modeling, animation and rendering solution.
Designed to provide the most comprehensive and advanced 3D design tools and
pipeline workflow, 3ds Max is one of the industry's most popular solutions for
games production, film and video production and design visualization.
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"There are four specific areas of focus we are invested in for 3ds Max 8
that will address the present and future demands of increasingly complex 3D
production environments," said Martin Vann, vice president of worldwide sales,
marketing and support, Autodesk, Inc. "Those areas are Character Development,
Advanced Modeling & Texturing, More Comprehensive Development Framework and
Complex Data and Asset Management (dealing with scalability, collaboration and
scene complexity)," added Vann.
"After we signed on to create the STAR WARS: Empire at War game for Lucas
Arts, there was no question of which 3D software package to build this game
title on. 3ds Max provides us with the best production-proven toolset for our
game development goals," said Gary Cox, Art Director at Petroglyph. "We
consistently hit our milestones with 3ds Max. After several months of testing
3ds Max 8, we anticipate even more productivity gains with the wealth of
enhanced creative tools and workflow efficiencies."
3ds Max 8 will offer 3D artists advanced Character Development features
into its fully integrated character animation toolset with advanced rigging
tools, motion mixing and motion retargeting (non-linear animation). Modeling &
Texturing advancements include new UV pelt mapping that greatly decreases the
time and labor required to accurately texture a 3D model, DirectX and .fx
support to create real time shaders inside the 3ds Max viewport.
Game development studios, visual effects/post-production facilities, and
design visualization professionals require 3D tools that can scale to manage
rapidly expanding data sets and bandwidth/interaction requirements. 3ds Max 8
will answer these needs with a Comprehensive Development Framework that
delivers improved software developer kit (SDK) tools and documentation, XML
support that efficiently exchanges scene and animation data, an interactive
MAXScript debugger, and support for the Autodesk DWF Viewer, the free,
downloadable application that offers review and approval collaboration for 3D
data.
3D animation projects today are becoming increasingly complex-especially
with artists working in multiple locations and geographies. 3ds Max 8 will
deliver Complex Data and Asset Management advancements with continued
connectivity to third-party, industry-standard asset management systems; and
by integrating Autodesk Vault, a full-featured data management and asset
tracking solution.
Features released exclusively to Autodesk Subscription clients over the
past year-including Cloth, Hair and Fur, mental ray 3.4 and eight satellite
render nodes-along with an extensive collection of visualization features
compatible with Autodesk VIZ 2006, including enhanced File Link, Autodesk
Inventor import, radiosity and adaptive subdivision-will automatically be
included in 3ds Max 8. Autodesk Subscription continues to deliver incredible
value to its members.
For a complete list of new 3ds Max 8 features, please visit:
http://www.autodesk.com/3dsmax/.
"On previous projects, like Mr. & Mrs. Smith, 3ds Max has given us the
tools we need to deliver the level of work that the directors and studios
expect from us," said Jason Crosby, CG Supervision, Digital Dimension. With
features like the new MAXScript Debugger and improved integration with mental
ray 3.4, version 8 is going to make our jobs easier."
"3ds Max 8 will further extend our leadership in delivering leading
creative tools that address the complexities of CG pipelines," said Marc
Petit, VP Autodesk Media & Entertainment. "During the past year, Autodesk has
stepped up its investment in 3D animation product development as well as
support for its customers and partners. We are proud that this investment is
being met with enthusiastic response from our 3ds Max 8 Beta testers."
3ds Max 8 will be demonstrated in the Autodesk booth, # 1700, at SIGGRAPH,
taking place August 1-4 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Pricing and Availability
Autodesk 3ds Max 8 in English is expected to be available in the fall of
2005. Localized versions of 3ds Max 8, in selected languages, are expected to
be available in the future. The Autodesk suggested retail price for Autodesk
3ds Max 8 software is US $3,495. The Autodesk suggested retail price to
upgrade from 3ds Max 7 to 3ds Max 8 is US $795.
3ds Max Subscription
The Autodesk suggested retail price for 3ds Max Subscription is US $440
per year and is available for purchase simultaneously with the product
purchase or upgrade. Subscription customers qualify for access to the latest
software updates, valuable product extensions to and E-learning materials.
For more information about purchasing and reseller pricing for 3ds Max and 3ds
Max Subscription, contact an Autodesk Authorized Reseller or visit
http://www.Autodesk.com/subscription/.
**PRESS: Screen shots and images of 3ds Max 8 are available at the
Autodesk Media & Entertainment IMAGE LIBRARY at:
http://www.autodesk.com/3dsmax-imagelibrary
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) is wholly focused on ensuring that great
ideas are turned into reality. With six million users, Autodesk is the world's
leading software and services company for the building, manufacturing,
infrastructure, media and entertainment and wireless data services fields.
Autodesk's solutions help customers create, manage and share their data and
digital assets more effectively. As a result, customers turn ideas into
competitive advantage by becoming more productive, streamlining project
efficiency and maximizing profits.
Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California. For
additional information about Autodesk, please visit http://www.autodesk.com.
Autodesk, Autodesk Inventor, DWF and 3ds Max are registered trademarks or
trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. mental ray is
a registered trademark of mental images GmbH & Co. KG licensed for use by
Autodesk, Inc. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to
their respective holders.
During the course of this communication, we may make forward-looking
statements regarding future events and the future performance of the Company.
These forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions, risks and
uncertainties, which are discussed in documents we file from time to time with
the SEC and specifically in our Annual Report and 10-K filed for the year
ended January 31, 2005. These documents contain and identify important factors
that may cause the actual results to differ from those contained in our
forward-looking statements.
Additionally, we may make statements regarding planned or future
development efforts for our existing or new products and services. These
statements are not intended to be a promise or guarantee of future delivery of
products, services or features but merely reflect our current plans, which may
change. Purchasing decisions should not be made based upon reliance on these
statements.
The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking
statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist or change
after the date on which they were made.
Contact: Kevin G. Clark, (415) 547-2457
Mobile at SIGGRAPH (415) 548-3336
Email: kevin.g.clark@autodesk.com
SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.autodesk.com
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CONTACT:
Kevin G. Clark, +1-415-547-2457, Mobile at
SIGGRAPH, +1-415-548-3336, Email: kevin.g.clark@autodesk.com
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