| |
Softimage 3D Software Gives Blur Studio a Gentlemen’s Advantage
Oscar nominated studio incorporated SOFTIMAGE|XSI into its 3D production pipeline to create animated short “Gentlemen’s Duel”
Tewksbury, Mass — December 11, 2006 — Softimage Co., a subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc., today announced that Blur Studio, a Los Angeles-based animation and visual effects production studio, switched its animation and rigging pipelines to SOFTIMAGE®|XSI® software for the development of
“A Gentlemen’s Duel,” the latest animated short from the Oscar® nominated studio. Blur chose SOFTIMAGE|XSI software based on its seamless interoperability within a mixed pipeline, extensive animation tools and overall stability— of the platform required during production.
Blur Studio created its fifth original short animated film, “A Gentlemen’s Duel,” to once again stretch its wings in the world of storytelling before the firm enters the feature film arena. The short depicts a seemingly innocent tea party that takes a turn for the dramatic when two aristocrats (an Englishman and a Frenchman) suddenly find themselves competing for the affections of the same fair lady. A Gentlemen’s Duel is the first project that Blur chose to incorporate XSI software into its mixed pipeline environment. Layout, rigging and animation was completed with SOFTIMAGE|XSI software. Modeling and scene assembly were performed in another 3D software package. All XSI software models and assets were exported using the dotXSI format from Softimage.
“A Gentleman's Duel was the perfect project to start our transition to SOFTIMAGE|XSI software,” said Tim Miller, President and founder of Oscar-nominated BLUR Studio. “The fact that XSI software works so well with other packages allows us to really take advantage of the strengths of XSI without having to re-build our entire pipeline. Everything within the package fits together so well, new features work with existing ones, and the amount of data that XSI can handle is incredible.”
Each fully rigged character model was comprised of over 1800 elements, which required a software platform that could handle huge, complex scenes. The gigapolygon core – the basis of the XSI software architecture – allowed Blur’s artists to manipulate the characters interactively within the software, saving time without sacrificing performance.
“This production is a testament to Blur’s dedication to the art of 3D,” said Michael Isner, product manager for Softimage. “The production philosophy behind their original shorts is unparalleled in the industry, where the studio allows both artists and programmers the complete freedom to go out there and explore what they are capable of.”
About Blur Studio, Inc.
Blur Studio is an Oscar nominated, state-of-the-art visual effects, animation and design studio based in Venice, CA. The company brings stories and characters to live in projects spanning a wide range of media – short films, large format films, commercials, concept art, feature effects, music videos, game cinematics and broadcast design. Most notable clients including ABC, Disney, Universal Pictures, NBC, CBS, Microsoft, Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Activision, Nickelodeon, THQ among others. For more information, visit www.blur.com
About Softimage Co.
Softimage Co., a subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc., delivers innovative, character creation and effects tools to animators and digital artists in the film, broadcast, post-production and games industries. Its product line includes SOFTIMAGE|XSI, the industry's only non-destructive character production software, and SOFTIMAGE|FACE ROBOT, the first production toolset that multiplies animation productivity while giving artists precise control. For more information about Softimage, please visit www.softimage.com.
About Avid Technology, Inc.
Avid Technology, Inc. is the world leader in digital nonlinear media creation, management, and distribution solutions, enabling film, video, audio, animation, games, and broadcast professionals to work more efficiently, productively, and creatively. For more information about the company’s Oscar®, Grammy®, and Emmy® award-winning products and services, please visit: www.avid.com.
© 2006 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, system requirements, and availability are subject to change without notice. Avid, Face Robot, Film Composer, Pro Tools, SOFTIMAGE and XSI are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc., or its subsidaries in the United States and/or other countries. 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. Digidesign, Avid’s audio division, received an Oscar statuette representing the 2003 Scientific and Technical Award for the design, development, and implementation of its Pro Tools® digital audio workstation. Oscar is a trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Emmy is a registered trademark of ATAS/NATAS. Grammy is a trademark of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
|
|
|
|
|
