Acquisition to Accelerate Autodesk's Games Strategy; Complements
Digital Entertainment and Visual Communications Offering; Lets Artists
Choose their Passion
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --Autodesk, Inc.
(Nasdaq: ADSK) and Avid Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVID), announced that
they have signed a definitive agreement for Autodesk to acquire
substantially all of the assets of Avid's Softimage business unit for
approximately $35 million.
Softimage was founded in 1986 by Daniel Langlois and is headquartered
in Montreal, Canada. Softimage develops 3D technology for the film,
television and games markets. Its flagship product is SOFTIMAGE|XSI, an
extensible 3D animation software solution used by leading media and
entertainment companies, including Digital Domain, Ubisoft, SEGA
Corporation, CAPCOM, Animal Logic and The Mill. Autodesk Media &
Entertainment provides animation, visual effects, editing/finishing and
color grading solutions for the 3D market, including entertainment and
design industries.
"Softimage has been developing state-of-the-art 3D technology for more
than 20 years, and its products are recognized as best-of-breed in the
entertainment industry," said Marc Petit, senior vice president, Autodesk
Media & Entertainment. "Upon the completion of this acquisition we will be
adding Softimage technology and products to our portfolio, and welcoming
one of the most talented teams in the industry to Autodesk Media &
Entertainment. Both will help us accelerate the work of our Games
Technology Group, as we build the next-generation of real-time, interactive
3D authoring tools for games, film and television."
Gary Greenfield, CEO and chairman of Avid Technology, added: "We are
excited about what this transaction means for customers of Softimage. The
Softimage 3D product line has performed well in the video games market, a
sector where Autodesk has a track record of success. Autodesk will provide
a great home for the business."
Softimage Product Integration
Upon completion of the acquisition, Autodesk intends to continue
developing and selling Softimage's core product line, while integrating
certain Softimage technology into future versions of Autodesk solutions and
products. Autodesk plans to acquire and continue developing the following
Softimage products:
-- SOFTIMAGE|XSI: Including XSI Essentials, XSI Advanced, XSI Academic, XSI
Mod Tool and the XSI software development kit. XSI is production-proven
3D animation software for games, film and television. It offers a
complete 3D modeling, animation, rendering and development environment
for visual effects and custom tools.
-- SOFTIMAGE|Face Robot: A complete software solution for easily rigging
and animating 3D faces. Face Robot enables studios to create life-like
facial animation at incredible speeds.
-- SOFTIMAGE|Cat: This advanced character animation system is a plug-in for
Autodesk 3ds Max software. It is intended to be integrated into the 3ds
Max product line.
-- SOFTIMAGE|Crosswalk: This interoperability solution is intended to be
integrated with Autodesk's own interoperability technology.
Petit commented: "As we have demonstrated since the acquisition of
Alias in 2006, we're committed to giving our customers choice when it comes
to their 3D tools. We plan to maintain and grow the Softimage product line,
and through Autodesk FBX provide better interoperability between Softimage
products, 3ds Max and Autodesk Maya. FBX also provides interoperability
between Softimage products and our specialized applications such as
Autodesk Mudbox, Autodesk MotionBuilder, Autodesk ImageModeler and Autodesk
Stitcher, as well as numerous third-party applications."
Petit concluded: "At Autodesk, we care deeply about 3D technology; we
know users invest a lot of time and energy into mastering their favorite 3D
product. To all 3D artists out there, I want to tell you that we understand
your passion for the creative tools you use daily, and that with Autodesk,
you can choose your passion."
For further information please visit http://www.autodesk.com/softimage.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding product offerings
and the performance of its business. Factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially include the following: difficulties
encountered in closing and integrating Softimage's business; whether
certain market segments grow as anticipated; the competitive environment in
the software industry and competitive responses to the acquisition; and
whether the companies can successfully develop new products or modify
existing products and the degree to which these gain market acceptance.
Further information on potential factors that could affect the
financial results of Autodesk are included in the company's annual report
on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2008, and Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended July 31, 2008, which are on file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
About Softimage
Softimage is a part of Avid Technology, Inc., and develops leading-edge
3D technology used in customer-centric solutions that enable professionals
in the games, film and television industry to realize their creative
vision. Award-winning feature films, television productions and top-selling
video games are made using Softimage software. Its flagship product,
SOFTIMAGE|XSI, is an extensible 3D animation software solution built on the
most modern architecture in the industry and is used by leading media and
entertainment companies such as Digital Domain, Ubisoft, SEGA Corporation,
CAPCOM, Animal Logic, and The Mill. Other solutions from Softimage include:
SOFTIMAGE|FACE ROBOT, lifelike facial animation software; SOFTIMAGE|CAT, a
complete character animation plug-in; and SOFTIMAGE Alienbrain, a digital
asset management solution for artists. http://www.softimage.com.
About Avid Technology
Avid is a worldwide leader in tools for film, video, audio, 3D
animation, gaming and broadcast professionals - as well as for home audio
and video enthusiasts. Avid professional and consumer brands include Avid,
Digidesign, M-Audio, Pinnacle Systems, Sibelius, Softimage and Sundance
Digital. The vast majority of primetime television shows, feature films,
commercials and chart-topping music hits are made using one or more Avid
products. Whether used by seasoned professionals or beginning students,
Avid's products and services enable customers to work more efficiently,
productively and creatively. Avid received an Oscar statuette representing
the 1998 Scientific and Technical Award for the concept, design, and
engineering of the Avid Film Composer system for motion picture editing.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the
manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment
markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has
developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping
solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real.
Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize,
simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to
save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional
information about Autodesk, visit http://www.autodesk.com.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, FBX, ImageModeler, Maya, MotionBuilder, Mudbox,
Stitcher and 3ds Max are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk,
Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other
countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to
their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product
offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not
responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this
document.
(C) 2008 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Autodesk Corporate: Colleen Rubart, 415-547-2368, colleen.rubart@autodesk.com
Autodesk Media & Entertainment:
Brittany Bonhomme, 514-954-7419, brittany.bonhomme@autodesk.com
Roohi Saeed, 514-961-7296, roohi.saeed@autodesk.com
Karen Raz, 310-450-1482, karen@razpr.com
INVESTOR CONTACT
Autodesk: David Gennarelli, 415-507-6033, david.gennarelli@autodesk.com
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050415/SFF034LOGO)
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SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.autodesk.com
http://www.softimage.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050415/SFF034LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
MEDIA, Corporate, Colleen Rubart,
+1-415-547-2368, colleen.rubart@autodesk.com, or Media &
Entertainment, Brittany Bonhomme, +1-514-954-7419,
brittany.bonhomme@autodesk.com, or Roohi Saeed, +1-514-961-7296,
roohi.saeed@autodesk.com, all of Autodesk; or Karen Raz,
+1-310-450-1482, karen@razpr.com, for Autodesk; or INVESTORS,
David Gennarelli of Autodesk, +1-415-507-6033,
david.gennarelli@autodesk.com
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