MONTREAL, July 8, 1997 — Softimage Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corp., today released an updated list of hardware products that have been certified as compatible with Softimage® 3D on the Microsoft® Windows NT® operating system. Certified products include graphics accelerators manufactured by the industry’s leading independent hardware vendors (IHVs), including AccelGraphics, Digital Equipment Corp., Dynamic Pictures Inc., Intergraph Corp., Melco and NeTpower Inc. All hardware is certified for the latest release of Softimage 3D, version 3.7.
A “Softimage Certified Logo” will be added this summer as a symbol of compatibility and quality that certified vendors can display on their packaging and promotional materials. Now, end users will be able to quickly decipher which hardware products are the best suited for their Softimage software.
Customers and Vendors Support New Program
Certification assures a vendor that Softimage is completely confident that a hardware/software package has the minimum functionality and performance required for properly running a Softimage product.
“It’s important that our PowerStorm series have the performance needed to bring out the best results in a powerful high-end 3-D graphics package like Softimage 3D,” said Lynn Jensen, director of graphics and multimedia at Digital Equipment Corp. “We are very pleased with the depth the Softimage certification test offers. Having the certification logo on our package provides our customers with added reassurance that our graphics solutions will provide optimal performance with Softimage 3D.”
“Dynamic Pictures is pleased that Softimage’s careful and comprehensive certification program puts our product to the test for both performance and compatibility,” said Dinesh Sharma, vice president of marketing for Dynamic Pictures. “We strategically designed the Oxygen 3D graphics architecture to bring out the best in the industry’s most powerful and feature-rich 3-D software solutions. We are excited that the Softimage certification process has proven that we have accomplished our mission.”
Certified Systems and Boards*
Softimage has certified the following graphics accelerators for Softimage 3D on
Windows NT:
The Softimage Web site at (http://www.softimage.com/) continually provides a current list of all certified products. This list also provides links to vendor Web pages, allowing customers easy access to more detailed information on certified products.
Program History
The Softimage certification program was established last year to assure Softimage customers of reliability and compatibility across the entire Softimage product line. Although the program has focused on the company’s flagship product, Softimage 3D, it is being expanded to include “DIGITAL STUDIO,” the code name for Softimage’s new integrated media production environment.
Softimage Information
Founded in 1986, Softimage develops software for media-rich applications including video, film, interactive games and CD-ROM applications. Products include Softimage 3D (high-end animation), Softimage Eddie (compositing) and Toonz (2-D cel animation). Additional information about Softimage and Microsoft can be found via the Internet at (http://www.softimage.com/) and http://www.microsoft.com/ , respectively.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Softimage is a registered trademark of Softimage Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corp.
Microsoft and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
* The certified graphics accelerators are certified for any Windows NT-based certified system. Certification results do not apply to all combinations of operating system versions and Softimage 3D versions. Please consult the Softimage Web page for detailed results.
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