SOFTIMAGE BUILD ON LINUX PLATFORM

SOFTIMAGE, a subsidiary of Avid Technology, have announced that they will offer their SOFTIMAGE|3D animation software system for Linux.
With Linux one of the main platforms of choice for many users in the digital production industry, the announcement continues Softimage’s tradition of supporting next-generation production platforms by embracing visionary and popular technologies.
Currently undergoing beta testing with several leading production houses, the SOFTIMAGE|3D system for the Linux platform is expected to be available on various certified Linux configurations in late March 2001.
Softimage also plan to introduce a Linux version of their SOFTIMAGE|XSI next-generation 3-D content creation tool later this year. The software introduces new creative paradigms for professional 3-D content creation, including unique next-generation modeling, non-linear animation and interactive rendering tools.
SOFTIMAGE|XSI 1.5, the latest version of the product, is currently available for Microsoft Windows NT, Windows 2000 and SGI IRIX platforms.
Michael David Smith, Product Manager at Softimage, said: “The addition of Linux to the platforms already supported by Softimage products represent powerful, cost-effective new options for professional graphic artists. Linux is proving to be a robust production-ready platform and we’re proud to be amongst the first companies to contribute to its success by bringing SOFTIMAGE|3D to Linux.”
Used extensively in film, broadcast, and interactive media production, SOFTIMAGE|3D software is widely favoured by many in the high-end professional 3-D character animation sector. The SOFTIMAGE|3D system delivers end-to-end production solution for modeling, animation and rendering on Linux, complementing the long-standing availability of the ‘mental ray’ software.
Already introduced on Linux several years ago, the optional mental ray raytracer renderer delivers state-of-the-art features such as global illumination, final gathering and caustics.
Softimage and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) featured SOFTIMAGE|3D at the AMD Stand at Linux World. (GB)