Avid Acquires 3D Software Company Motion Factory

files/pictures/picture-35.jpgAvid Technology, Inc. has announced the acquisition of Fremont, California-based Motion Factory, Inc., an applications company specializing in interactive 3D software for character-driven games and the Web. Along with the deal, Avid named Motion Factory’s former president and CEO, David Pritchard, as the new general manager of Softimage Co., Avid’s graphics and effects arm. "Bringing The Motion Factory’s innovative technology together with our top-of-the-line 3D products will really set the pace for the future of the interactive 3D industry," said David Krall, president and CEO of Avid. "Integrating these two technologies will significantly streamline 3D content development, and allow animators and developers much greater freedom in creating content for everything from standalone gaming consoles to Web-based interactive experiences." Pritchard said, "Over the past three years, The Motion Factory has established itself as the leading supplier of cutting edge real-time animation and behavior technology for the games and Web development community. We are thrilled by the prospect of joining with Softimage, the acknowledged leader in modeling and animation for the entertainment industry. Uniting Motion Factory technology with the Softimage/XSI product will make Softimage the clearly preferred choice for both linear and interactive developers -- including those developing for consoles and the Internet -- and for entertainment, educational and commercial applications." Prior to coming to Motion Factory in 1998, Pritchard was VP of Europe and worldwide sales for Macromedia, Inc., the creator of the Flash Web-based animation software.