SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Feb 16, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- From start to finish, software from Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), played a pivotal role in helping James Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment pioneer new methods of virtual moviemaking, for Cameron's history-making motion picture "Avatar."

"When James Cameron conceived the idea for 'Avatar' 15 years ago, the technology wasn't available to make it," said Nolan Murtha, digital effects supervisor at Lightstorm Entertainment. "Over the past few years, with the help of Autodesk software, we were able to bring his vision to life. On set, we essentially created a live video game of each scene; we could see what the movie was going to look like and make adjustments right away, rather than waiting until post-production. This was in large part due to the powerful real-time interactive capabilities of MotionBuilder."

The filmmakers re-created the live-action shooting experience by using Autodesk MotionBuilder performance capture software on set. Performances by live actors were applied onto digital characters and viewed in real time. The digital characters were seen within virtual environments, which were prebuilt with MotionBuilder and Autodesk Maya visual effects, animation and rendering software. In addition, Autodesk Mudbox digital sculpting software was used for asset creation, and then Maya was again used for final scene creation and finishing.

Autodesk CEO Carl Bass said, "Congratulations to James Cameron, Lightstorm Entertainment and all the visionaries who have made 'Avatar' one of the most successful movies in history. They literally changed the way movies are made by using digital technology in a way that was impossible just a few years ago. We are honored that Autodesk software was used to help deliver a truly immersive experience, advancing virtual moviemaking and taking storytelling to new heights."

Murtha added, "What we were able to do with the Autodesk software is to make technology an enabler and we were able to do a movie that we could not otherwise do."

About "Avatar"

"Avatar" has been nominated for nine Academy Awards including: Best Motion Picture of the Year, Achievement in Directing, Achievement in Cinematography and Achievement in Visual Effects. The movie takes viewers to a spectacular world where a reluctant hero fights to save the alien world he has learned to call home. "Avatar" delivers a fully immersive cinematic experience of a new kind, where the revolutionary technology invented to make the film disappears into the emotion of the character and the sweep of the story. The scope and scale of the world of "Avatar" posed particular production challenges, notably 10-foot aliens interacting with humans face-to-face in a dense virtual 3D environment. The filmmakers solved these challenges with increased processing power and by applying and adapting Maya and MotionBuilder throughout production. The latest developments in performance and motion capture enabled the team to interact in real time with computer generated characters, prebuild complex digital environments and virtual cameras, and set a new standard for virtual moviemaking.

Watch a video presentation by "Avatar" producer Jon Landau including behind-the-scenes interviews with James Cameron, the actors and visual effects supervisors on AREA, the Autodesk Digital Entertainment and Visualization online community.

The primary Autodesk software tools used on "Avatar" are available as part of the flagship Autodesk Maya Entertainment Creation Suite 2010, which offers Maya 2010 software together with both Mudbox 2010 and MotionBuilder 2010 software. Maya 3D modeling, animation, rendering and visual effects software offers artists an end-to-end creative workflow. Mudboxhelps artists sculpt highly detailed models more quickly and intuitively. MotionBuilder provides artists with a real-time animation engine for more interactive creative feedback and efficient handling of large amounts of animation data. The complementary toolsets enable artists to better handle tough production challenges and achieve higher-quality results, more efficiently and cost-effectively. For more information, visit http://www.autodesk.com/pr-entertainmentcreationsuites. The Autodesk suggested retail price for the Entertainment Creation Suite is US$4,995*.

* International pricing may vary

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc., is a world leader in 2D and 3D design, engineering and entertainment software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software to help customers experience their ideas digitally before they are built. Fortune 100 companies -- as well as the last 14 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects -- use Autodesk software tools to design, visualize and simulate their ideas to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation for competitive advantage. For additional information about Autodesk, visit http://www.autodesk.com/pr-autodesk.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Maya, MotionBuilder and Mudbox are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc.,and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Academy Award is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 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.

© 2010 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

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SOURCE: Autodesk, Inc.

Autodesk, Inc.
Rama Dunayevich, 415-547-2472
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Roohi Saeed, 514-954-7296
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