Pixar Animation Studios released version 13.0 of its Academy Award-winning RenderMan Pro Server software.
RenderMan Pro Server 13.0 performance and feature innovations include a 3X speed-up in ray tracing shading calculations; higher quality fur and particles for less computation; improved statistics for shader profiling; brick maps as geometry; approximate occlusion and color bleeding; and, for the first time, multi-threading allowing RenderMan to process even more sophisticated scenes by maximizing CPU and memory availability. In addition a revamped plug-in interface, and a whole range of general systems optimizations offer dramatic reductions in memory usage including 4X in Langrangian filtered texture performance.
RenderMan Pro Server 13.0 is completely customizable and can create any look or effect imaginable. Though its high performance REYES architecture, powerful RenderMan Shading Language, and cinematic camera effects, artists can create completely stylized rendered worlds or seamlessly integrate stunning synthetic effects with live-action footage in a manner that is completely convincing.
"RenderMan has the added benefit of constant development and refinement through use in our films," said Ed Catmull, president of Pixar and Disney Animation Studios. "Not only does RenderMan 13.0 embody the latest studio experience and rendering methodologies, but just as importantly, it delivers to deadline an astounding new level of visual sophistication and quality."
RenderMan Pro Server 13.0 is available for $3,500 per license. Upgrade pricing from RenderMan Pro Server 12.5 is $1,050, and RenderMan Pro Server 12.0 or earlier for $1,750. In addition, Pixar�s maintenance program benefits customers with access to ongoing support and upgrades for an annual fee.
Pixar Animation Studios (www.pixar.com), located in Emeryville, California, combines creative and technical artistry to create original stories in the medium of computer animation. Pixar has created six of the most successful and beloved animated films of all time: TOY STORY, A BUG'S LIFE, TOY STORY 2, MONSTERS, INC., FINDING NEMO and THE INCREDIBLES. Pixar has won 20 Academy Awards and its six films have grossed more than $3.2 billion at the worldwide box office to date. The studio's next two film releases are CARS (June 9) and RATATOUILLE (summer 2007).
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
