MONTREAL, Oct. 16, 1997 — Softimage Inc., the leading provider of animation and video-editing tools for games, film and video content, today announced its plans to support Intel Corp.’s Merced processor, the first implementation of Intel’s 64-bit architecture (IA-64). Softimage’s next-generation 3-D platform, code-named “Sumatra,” is expected to gain a substantial performance boost on the Merced processor’s advanced architecture. These applications will be optimized for workstations running the 64-bit Microsoft® Windows NT® operating system and will be available when the Merced processor becomes available in 1999.
“We are very excited about the promise of IA-64 as it relates to our next-generation products,” said Marc Petit, director of 3-D product development for Softimage. “The gains in computing power will enable us to push the envelope in terms of interactivity and rendering performance. We are working closely with Intel to ensure that our applications take maximum advantage of IA-64 processor technology.”
The first 3-D product to be made available on the new architecture will be “Twister,” the code name for Softimage’s next-generation 3-D rendering and finishing system. Offering completely interactive rendering control, as well as powerful control of scene lighting and texturing tools, “Twister” is designed to fit seamlessly into the customer workflow already established by Softimage® 3D, the current-generation product.
“Users of Softimage’s 3-D products will clearly benefit from IA-64 processor performance,” said Anand Chandrasekher, general manager of the workstation products division at Intel. “We are delighted that Softimage is extending its commitment from IA-32 to IA-64 and look forward to their forthcoming ‘Sumatra’ product release on IA-64.”
Softimage will be certified to run on Merced processor-based workstations from a large number of industry-leading vendors that have committed to IA-64, including Compaq Computer Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co. and NeTpower Inc.
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 on the Internet at http://www.softimage.com/ and http://www.microsoft.com/ , respectively.
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