Autodesk has launched Autodesk Softimage 7.5 software for visual effects and game production, renaming 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 videogame.
Key New Features in Autodesk Softimage 7.5:
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.
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.
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.
