Avid Technology Inc. announced that its Softimage subsidiary and Epic Games have collaborated to co-develop the UnrealActor X Exporter for the XSI toolkit a solution for those interested in creating interactive titles with SOFTIMAGE|XSI animation software and Epics Unreal Engine technology. The Unreal Actor X Exporter for the XSI toolkit enables game developers to use technologies from both companies together in a game development pipeline. Gamers and enthusiasts known as modders who routinely change the way videogames are played can also use the toolkit with the SOFTIMAGE|XSI Mod Tool to create their own characters, props and environments for titles powered by the Unreal Engine 2.
Were pleased to add a new layer of compatibility between the Unreal Engine and SOFTIMAGE|XSI, said Mark Rein, vp, Epic Games. Now that Epics technology complements SOFTIMAGE|XSI software, customers of both companies can use these two industry-leading technologies together for a simple, integrated and flexible solution for next generation game development.
Gareth Morgan, senior product manager for Softimage, added, As consumer expectations increase, todays game developers must deliver original content that is compelling, interactive and enduring. Using production-proven middleware solutions like Epics Unreal Engine as the foundation for their games allows professional developers and designers to focus more on the art and storytelling for their titles. The same holds true for enthusiasts, which is why we are pleased that the SOFTIMAGE|XSI Mod Tool is also available to Unreals mod community. By working together, Softimage and Epic are democratizing the game development process and making best-of-breed professional-level products available to all game developers.
The Unreal Actor X Exporter for the XSI toolkit will allow users to export any type of model or character created with SOFTIMAGE|XSI software directly into the upcoming Unreal Engine 3. Gamers and enthusiasts who generate their own material with the SOFTIMAGE|XSI Mod Tool can also use the toolkit from Softimage and Epic to incorporate their content into titles based on the Epic Unreal Engine 2, such as the award-winning UNREAL TOURNAMENT 2004. Based on the commercial version of Softimages leading animation software, the free SOFTIMAGE|XSI Mod Tool includes multiple toolsets for texturing and animating characters, as well as designing and previewing real-time effects.
Softimage Co., a subsidiary of Avid Technology Inc., is an industry leader in 3D animation, 2D cel animation, compositing and special effects software, designed to address the demands of the film and commercial/broadcast and games/interactive industries. For more information, visit www.softimage.com. For more information about Avid, visit www.avid.com.
Epic Games Inc., based in Raleigh, North Carolina and established in 1991, is a developer of computer and videogames. The company is best known as the creator of hit PC 3D action games UNREAL and UNREAL TOURNAMENT, both award-winning blockbuster hits having each sold more than one million copies. Epic is also responsible for the Unreal Engine, which is the underlying technology for a wide range of games. Additional information can be obtained at www.epicgames.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
