Softimage 3D
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 Screenshot of Softimage|3D 3.9.2 |
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| Developer(s) | Softimage, Co. |
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| Stable release | 4.0 / August 2001 |
| Operating system | Windows, IRIX |
| Type | 3D computer graphics |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | www.softimage.com |
Softimage 3D was a high-end 3D graphics application developed by Softimage, Co., which was used predominantly in the film, gaming and advertising industries for the production of 3D animation. It has been superseded by Softimage XSI.
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[edit] History
Softimage|3D was originally released at Siggraph in 1988 as the Softimage Creative Environment.[1] Softimage was used by Industrial Light and Magic to animate the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, by Cyan to create the adventure game Riven.[2] In 1994, Microsoft acquired the Softimage Corporation [3]and renamed the package Softimage|3D, releasing a Windows NT port two years later.[4] In 1996, Microsoft began offering Softimage|3D Extreme 3.5, which included particle effects and the mental ray renderer.[5] 3D paint functionality was added a year later in version 3.7.[6]
Softimage|3D was gradually replaced by the company's next product, Softimage XSI starting in 2000.[7] The last version of Sofimage|3D was version 4.0, released in 2002 at its lowest price ever, 1,485$[8] See Softimage, Co. for detailed time line.
Productions that used Softimage|3D include the film "Starship Troopers"[9] and the video game Super Mario 64.[10]
It was Later bought out by Autodesk early 2009[11]
[edit] Features
The Softimage|3D features are divided between five modules: Model, Motion, Actor, Matter and Tools. [12]
[edit] References
- ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20021015000229/www.softimage.com/Corporate/Press/Facts/16years.htm
- ^ http://mrillustrated.com/faq.php
- ^ http://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/15/business/company-news-an-acquisition-by-microsoft.html
- ^ http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1996/jan96/3danimpr.mspx
- ^ "Microsoft Introduces Major Upgrade to Softimage 3D", Microsoft, May 16, 1996
- ^ "Softimage 3D Version 3.7 for Windows NT and IRIX Platforms Now Shipping", Microsoft, April 7, 1997
- ^ http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2000_May_30/ai_62417642
- ^ http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/multi-platform/news/softimage-slashes-3d-price/1145860.article
- ^ "SOFTIMAGE|3D Used in All Three Motion Pictures Nominated for Achievement in Visual Effects", Microsoft, Feb. 11, 1997
- ^ "Softimage Used by Game Developers to Create Award-Winning Games", Microsoft, April 28, 1997
- ^ "Softimage Autodesk "
- ^ "On Powerful Wings, Imagination Soars", Microsoft, 1996
[edit] External links
- Official Website for Softimage
- Softimage|3D Interactive Interface
- Softimage User's Site (and archive)
- Softimage|3D Tutorials
- 3D tutorials at Ed Harriss.com
- 3D tutorials at Jeremy Birn's web site
- BYTE Magazine: 3-D Animation Blossoms on NT
- A Critical History of Computer Graphics and Animation
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