Acquisition Complements Autodesk's 3D Animation Portfolio
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc.
(Nasdaq: ADSK) today announced that it has completed the acquisition of
substantially all of the assets of Softimage - a developer of 3D technology
for the film, television and games markets - for approximately $35 million. On
October 23, 2008, Autodesk announced it had signed a definitive agreement to
acquire Softimage from Avid Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVID).
"We welcome Softimage customers, strategic partners and employees to
Autodesk," said Marc Petit, senior vice president, Autodesk Media &
Entertainment. "This acquisition brings advanced 3D tools to our entertainment
portfolio; tools that are known and loved by the 3D entertainment community.
With production pipelines becoming entirely digital, and the convergence
between games, film and television content, this acquisition is expected to
complement and accelerate Autodesk's work in building real-time, interactive
3D authoring tools."
Petit added: "I'd like to reiterate that we plan to maintain and grow the
Softimage product line, while doing the same with our existing 3D animation,
modeling and rendering software products. Marc Stevens, former general manager
of Softimage, has joined my management team. I look forward to working with
him and the talented Softimage product and business teams to evolve the
Softimage products' capabilities."
Softimage Product, Brand and Online Store
Autodesk intends to sell standalone versions of both the SOFTIMAGE|XSI and
SOFTIMAGE|Face Robot 3D software products, and intends to continue developing
these products. The SOFTIMAGE|Cat character animation system is a plug-in for
Autodesk 3ds Max software and is expected to be integrated into the Autodesk
3ds Max product line. The SOFTIMAGE|Crosswalk interoperability solution is
intended to be integrated with Autodesk's own interoperability technology.
Autodesk plans to continue to use the Softimage trademark, and the
Softimage brand will become part of the Autodesk brand identity. While there
are no immediate changes to the names of Softimage products, Autodesk intends
to make changes to product branding with the next software releases.
The Softimage online store is temporarily offline, in order for Autodesk
to integrate it with Autodesk's online store. Within a few weeks, Autodesk
expects to make Softimage products available online for customers based in the
United States. Over time, Autodesk intends to add Softimage products to its
e-stores for all regions where other Autodesk products are sold online.
For further information please visit www.autodesk.com/softimage.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties, including statements regarding product offerings,
integration plans and the performance of Autodesk's business. Factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially include the following:
difficulties encountered in integrating Softimage's business; whether certain
market segments grow as anticipated; the competitive environment in the
software industry and competitive responses to the acquisition; and whether
the companies can successfully develop new products or modify existing
products and the degree to which these gain market acceptance.
Further information on potential factors that could affect the financial
results of Autodesk are included in the company's annual report on Form 10-K
for the year ended January 31, 2008, and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July
31, 2008, which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
About Softimage
Softimage (previously a part of Avid Technology, Inc.) develops
leading-edge 3D technology used in customer-centric solutions that enable
professionals in the games, film and television industry to realize their
creative vision. Award-winning feature films, television productions and
top-selling video games are made using Softimage software. Its flagship
product, SOFTIMAGE|XSI, is an extensible 3D animation software solution built
on the most modern architecture in the industry and is used by leading media
and entertainment companies such as Digital Domain, Ubisoft, SEGA Corporation,
CAPCOM, Animal Logic, and The Mill. Other solutions from Softimage include:
SOFTIMAGE|FACE ROBOT, lifelike facial animation software; and SOFTIMAGE|CAT, a
complete character animation plug-in. For additional information about
Softimage, visit www.softimage.com and for additional information about the
acquisition by Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com/softimage.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the
manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets.
Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the
broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to help
customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies
rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world
performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance
quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk,
visit www.autodesk.com.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, Cat, Crosswalk, Face Robot, Softimage, XSI and 3ds Max
are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its
subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other
brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders.
Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at
any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical
errors that may appear in this document.
(C) 2008 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Autodesk Corporate: Colleen Rubart, 415-547-2368,
colleen.rubart@autodesk.com
Autodesk Media & Entertainment:
Brittany Bonhomme, 514-954-7419, brittany.bonhomme@autodesk.com
Roohi Saeed, 514-961-7296, roohi.saeed@autodesk.com
Karen Raz, 310-450-1482, karen@razpr.com
INVESTOR CONTACT
Autodesk: David Gennarelli, 415-507-6033, david.gennarelli@autodesk.com
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050415/SFF034LOGO)
SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050415/SFF034LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Web Site: http://www.autodesk.com
http://www.softimage.com
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