In its 18th year at SIGGRAPH, Softimage Co., announced details of its events & activities for the upcoming SIGGRAPH 2007 conference in San Diego, CA (Aug. 5-9). Softimage will extend its presence at the show starting with the inaugural Customer Production Challenge, and FJORG!, the SIGGRAPH-sponsored iron-animator production competition. Softimage is also honored to host industry visionary Syd Mead at its annual user event, with a special introduction by SIGGRAPH 2007 conference chair, Joe Marks, from Walt Disney Feature Animation. To inspire and train the next generation of 3D artists, Softimage will present an education copy of SOFTIMAGE|XSI 3D modeling, rendering and animation software with a six-hour training DVD from Digital-Tutors to all of the SIGGRAPH student volunteers -- a $100,000 dollar value donation to the SIGGRAPH student program.

"Softimage is having an extraordinary year with inspiring validation from artists and technical directors who chose to use XSI software in their visual effects pipelines -- from the Academy Award-winning HAPPY FEET, the box-office hit film 300 and the critically acclaimed Japanamation anime feature TEKKON KINKREET, to this year's SIGGRAPH 'Best of Show' animated short ARK," said Marc Stevens, vp and general manager for Softimage. "We are excited to take part in such a wide array of activities on and off the SIGGRAPH show floor with technology tools and training that will equip and inspire digital artists as they Face Tomorrow (this year's SIGGRAPH theme)," added Stevens.

Softimage Activities at SIGGRAPH 2007

* Sunday, Aug. 5

Softimage Production Challenge: Attack of the Jellybeans

Four industry renowned XSI artists, including Todd Akita (PSYOP), David Andrews (The Orphanage), Bradley Gabe (Stan Winston) and Greg Punchatz (Janimation), will take one day to model, rig, animate and light a character, bringing it from original concept drawing to final render. Hosted by Alex Lindsay (Pixel Corps), the goal of the Production Challenge is to demonstrate the superior non-linear workflow of XSI software. All SIGGRAPH attendees are invited to watch and learn from these industry leaders in action.

* Monday, Aug. 6

FJORG! (Monday - Tuesday, Aug. 6-7)

3D animation artists will have the opportunity to use SOFTIMAGE|XSI software and a fully-rigged 3D character created by Christoph Schinko to compete in the first international FJORG! iron-animator challenge at SIGGRAPH.

Guerilla Studio

Softimage returns to the Guerilla Studio this year offering conference attendees the opportunity to get hands-on experience and training for the latest version of SOFTIMGE|XSI 6.02, the professional 3D modeling, rendering, character creation and animation software. For the first time ever in public, Softimage will offer hands-on training for its innovative new SOFTIMAGE|Face Robot, life-like facial animation system. Softimage's Jeff Wilson, will lead the Face Robot training, sharing his expertise on creating complex facial animations, from facial modeling, MoCap, editing and fine tuning facial rigs. XSI training will be lead by Nikki Bridgman, Softimage's European Training Manager. Classes are limited.

* Tuesday, Aug. 7

Softimage User Event

Softimage will host its annual User Event from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the Spreckels Theatre. SIGGRAPH 2007 chair, Joe Marks, of Walt Disney Feature Animation, will introduce industry luminary and world renowned "visual futurist" Syd Mead (TRON, BLADE RUNNER, STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE, ALIENS) to present the keynote address based on material from his new documentary VISUAL FUTURIST: THE ART & LIFE OF SYD MEAD. Following a Softimage introduction by Marc Stevens, vp/gm for Softimage, 300 vfx supervisor Chris Watts -- along with Daniel Leduc (vfx supervisor & producer) and Joseph Kasparian (textures & lighting lead) from Hybride, will present "A World of Antiquity -- Making the Stylized Environs of Ancient Sparta." This lively presentation will share how concept, creation and techniques using XSI software helped forge the look and feel of 300. One lucky attendee at this year's Softimage User Event will win a new Dell M90 Laptop, a full license of SOFTIMAGE|XSI Essentials software, and a Softimage branded backpack -- a $6,000 value.