Enhancements to the Software Help Artists Work More Efficiently
launched Autodesk Softimage 7.5 software for visual effects and game
production. With this release, Autodesk has renamed the SOFTIMAGE|XSI
software – acquired from Avid Technology, Inc. – Autodesk Softimage. The
7.5 version offers timesaving new features, such as UV unfolding
technology, a multithreaded Syflex cloth simulator and an integrated mental
ray 3.7+ renderer. Artists have used Softimage to create numerous movies,
commercials and video games, including the Oscar-winning film "Happy Feet,"
Coca Cola's "Heist" Super Bowl ad, and the "Fable II" video game.
entertainment creation and Softimage is an important addition to our
portfolio" said Marc Petit, Autodesk Media & Entertainment senior vice
president. "It has been three months since we acquired substantially all of
the assets of Softimage and its integration into Autodesk is going
extremely well. The team has kept Softimage 7.5 on plan and it has shipped
without delay. We remain committed to delivering solid future releases of
the software."
UV Unfolding Technology: Softimage now features UV unfolding technology
that enables artists to unwrap polygon models with just a few clicks. This
technology works well on complex organic models, which would be difficult
to unwrap manually. Softimage 7.5 also provides UV editing tools that help
artists quickly create and edit UV maps.
mental ray 3.7+: Version 3.7+ of the mental ray renderer is now integrated
into Softimage 7.5. Highlights include improvements to binary space
partitioning for faster render times, multiple final gathering refinement
passes and new motion-based displacement. These enhancements help users
create high-fidelity images faster than ever before.
Multithreaded Syflex Cloth Simulator: The production-proven cloth simulator
in Softimage is now multithreaded, enabling artists to use the cores on
their machine to iterate faster.
Scene Compatibility with Version 7.0: Scenes saved in Softimage 7.5 will
load into Softimage 7.0.
For more information about Autodesk Softimage 7.5, visit
http://www.autodesk.com/softimage.
Pricing and Availability
Version 7.5 of Autodesk Softimage (formerly SOFTIMAGE|XSI Essentials) and
Autodesk Softimage Advanced (formerly SOFTIMAGE|XSI Advanced) are now
available. The Autodesk suggested retail price for Softimage 7.5 (Windows)
is US$2,995* and $4,695* for Softimage Advanced 7.5 (Windows)*.
SOFTIMAGE|XSI 7.0 customers with active Softimage maintenance contracts
will be migrated to Autodesk Softimage 7.5 with Autodesk Subscription.
Autodesk Subscription is available for purchase with the product license
purchase or upgrade. The Autodesk suggested retail price for Autodesk
Subscription is $795* per year for Softimage and $1,235* per year for
Softimage Advanced*.
Migration Promotion
Until April 15, 2009, existing SOFTIMAGE|XSI Essentials and Advanced
customers, not on Softimage maintenance, can receive up to 50 percent
discount and no back-subscription fees when migrating to Autodesk Softimage
7.5 with Autodesk Subscription.** This offer is available only through
Autodesk Value Added Resellers. Locate a reseller at
www.autodesk.com/reseller.
* International pricing may vary.
** Conditions apply. International pricing may vary. Autodesk reserves the
right to cancel, suspend or modify part of this promotion at any time
without notice, for any reason, in its sole discretion.
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