Avid Technology Inc. will be demonstrating a technology preview of a native 64-bit version of SOFTIMAGE|XSI 3-D animation software during WinHEC, Microsofts annual Windows Hardware Engineering Conference, from April 25-27, in Seattle, Washington.
The technology preview will provide attendees with a first-hand look at a prototype of SOFTIMAGE|XSI software that is designed to take advantage of 64-bit computing architectures in order to streamline time-consuming 3D animation tasks such as modeling, texturing and rendering. The 64-bit architecture of SOFTIMAGE|XSI software will leverage the increased performance capabilities found in a range of technologies, including Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Dell Precision Workstations with 64-bit Intel Xeon processors supporting up to 16GB of memory, and the new Dell Precision 380 with the Intel Pentium Processor Extreme Edition, Intels first dual-core processor-based platform, which also features Intel EM64T, supporting up to 8GB of high speed memory.
At SOFTIMAGE, our customers create incredible CG visuals for feature films, commercials and videogames and they are consistently delivering greater realism and more sophisticated 3D content, said Marc Stevens, director of product marketing and research & development for Softimage. Advancements in 64-bit hardware, like dual core processors, enable artists to work at greater speeds and to produce incredible results in less time. Were pleased to be a part of WinHEC this year in collaboration with Dell and Intel, and for the opportunity to show how 64-bit applications are poised to dramatically change the creative process for CG artists who create some of the most complex and compelling visual imagery in todays media.
André Bustanoby, visual effects supervisor at Stan Winston Digital, the Los Angeles-based visual effects shop, added, At Stan Winston Digital, we are dedicated to delivering the highest level of character animation and visual effects for our projects, often with huge 3D scenes that can slow software applications as we push system memory to its maximum capacity. With 64-bit technology, we expect that our team of artists will be able to increase the complexity of their 3-D work without sacrificing time to deliver greater visual experiences to viewers than ever before." Artists at Stan Winston Digital have used SOFTIMAGE|XSI to create CG imagery for such films as SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW, GARFIELD and CAT IN THE HAT.
The technology preview of the 64-bit version of SOFTIMAGE|XSI will demonstrate increases in performance over 32-bit memory systems. Some of these benefits include greater interactivity and faster rendering of massively complex 3D scenes, and less rendering required for creating special effects with longer sequences that require layering of 3D, film and video content.
Avid Technology (www.avid.com), headquartered in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, is a world leader in digital nonlinear media creation, management, and distribution solutions, enabling film, video, audio, animation, games and broadcast professionals to work more efficiently, productively and creatively.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
