Softimage Announces 3Delight Rendering Plug-in for SOFTIMAGE|XSI Software

Newest Rendering Plug-in Offers Seamless Integration in SOFTIMAGE|XSI Rendering Environment

MONTREAL, February 14, 2008 - Softimage Co., a subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVID), today announced availability of the fully integrated production renderer, 3Delight (DNA Research), for SOFTIMAGE®|XSI® professional 3D modeling, animation, character creation and rendering software. The 3Delight plug-in brings the quality and speed of the 3Delight render engine, as well as the power and flexibility of RenderMan® rendering standards and practices as established by Pixar® to the SOFTIMAGE|XSI user base.

Softimage introduced an open application programming interface (API) for its rendering environment in SOFTIMAGE|XSI 6 in 2007, and immediately caught the attention of third-party rendering partners who provide powerful rendering solutions. 3D artists are now benefitting from expanded rendering choices with direct plug-in integration with the user friendly interface in the new SOFTIMAGE|XSI render environment.

"The workflow between 3Delight and SOFTIMAGE|XSI is nearly identical to the workflow I had already become accustomed to," said Todd Akita, technical director at PSYOP New York. "This meant that I could immediately gain access to all of the benefits of using the 3Delight renderer with a minimal learning curve. 3Delight's support for the shading nodes that XSI artists have become familiar with is also quite impressive. It's amazing to be able to mix and match mental ray and 3Delight render passes literally with the flip of a switch."

“We are delighted that the 3Delight renderer has been deeply integrated into SOFTIMAGE|XSI using our open render API,” said Bill Roberts, director of product management at Softimage, Co. “3D artists can now extend their SOFTIMAGE|XSI rendering options with this RenderMan-compliant, production proven technology—all without any compromises in workflow.”

Highlights of 3Delight for XSI

• Complete Render Tree Support - Complete integration means the capacity to work with SOFTIMAGE|XSI shaders, without additional setup. Shading networks are automatically converted to RenderMan shaders that are suitable for 3Delight. Third party RenderMan shaders can also be assigned to geometry if necessary
• Complete Geometry support - All SOFTIMAGE|XSI geometric primitives are supported. Includes hair and subdivision surfaces. 3Delight renders all surfaces smoothly, no tesselation settings are required.
• Fast 3D Motion Blur and Depth of Field - The speed of 3Delight's motion blur is as fast as post-process 2D motion blur while being more accurate. Depth of field is equally fast.
• Fast Displacements - 3Delight will render displacements at almost no additional rendering time. Displacement maps imported from 3D paint packages such as ZBrush and Mudbox will render efficiently and accurately.
• Subsurface Scattering - Easy to set up sub-surface scattering enables artists to render the subtleties of light scattering inside translucent objects.
• RIB export and import - Many RIB writing and reading functions are available for advanced pipelines. This includes binary and compressed RIB export, delayed RIB archives, scene caching and RIB boxing.
• High-end quality, speed and robustness - Built on top of a production proven and weather-beaten render engine, 3Delight For SOFTIMAGE|XSI will bring years of film rendering experience to your studio.

Pricing and Availability

3Delight for SOFTIMAGE|XSI software is available now in the following configurations:

• 3Delight For SOFTIMAGE|XSI - Studio USMSRP $1,450
  
  Includes full feature complete package. Each license runs a maximum of 4 threads.

• 3Delight SOFTIMAGE|XSI -  Artist USMSRP $495
  
  Includes all the important features from Studio minus RIB export and third Party RenderMan shader support.

Each license runs a maximum of 4 threads.

Versions for Windows 64-bit and Linux 32 and 64-bit are expected to be available in spring 2008.

Customers can purchase the 3Delight plug-in as a download at:  www.3delight.com/renderman_download.htm.

For more information about 3Delight visit:  www.3delight.com

For more information about SOFTIMAGE|XSI and to download a FREE 30-day trial of SOFTIMAGE|XSI Essentials, visit: http://www.softimage.com/downloads/.

About Softimage Co.
Softimage Co., a subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc. provides intuitive, production proven tools that free 3D artists to create the world’s most compelling characters in the film, broadcast, post-production and games industries. Its flagship product, SOFTIMAGE|XSI is the most complete and intuitive character animation solution available. Easily integrated into any CG production pipeline, XSI software enables 3D artists to create the most lifelike character performances.  SOFTIMAGE|FACE ROBOT is the first commercial toolset that accelerates facial animation that empowers 3D artists to create, refine and repurpose high-quality, lifelike facial animation in less time than traditional solutions. For more information about Softimage, please visit www.softimage.com.

About Avid Technology, Inc.
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. For more information about the company’s Oscar, Grammy® and Emmy® award-winning products and services, visit www.avid.com.

© 2008 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, system requirements, and availability are subject to change without notice. Promotions and discounts are subject to availability and change without notice. All prices are USMSRP for the U.S. and Canada only and are subject to change without notice. Contact your local Avid office or reseller for prices outside the U.S. and Canada. Avid, Digidesign, Film Composer, M-Audio, Pinnacle Systems, Pro Tools, Sibelius, Sundance Digital, Softimage, Face Robot, and XSI are trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. 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.