Softimage

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Softimage, Co. (pronounced soft-iMAHJ) is a subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc. located in Montréal, Québec, Canada that produces 3D animation, 2D cel animation, compositing, and special effects software. Their flagship product, Softimage, is used in the creation of computer animation for modern films, commercials, and video games.

History

Softimage was founded in 1986 by National Film Board of Canada filmmaker Daniel Langlois. Their original 3D modeling and animation package was called the Softimage Creative Environment, later renamed to Softimage|3D. Softimage|3D was a fast, simple-to-use animation package, the first commercial package to feature Inverse Kinematics for character animation. However, the modeling and rendering capabilities were somewhat limited. Large studios using Softimage|3D often created models in other programs, such as Alias Studio, and use another program for rendering, such as Mental Ray or Photorealistic Renderman. Through a deal with Mental Images, Softimage began shipping with Mental Ray as an optional renderer in 1994.

To create a more advanced, opened architecture, improve Mental Ray integration, and compete with Maya from Wavefront, Softimage developed a next-generation package called Softimage|XSI to replace Softimage 3D.

The company was later bought by Microsoft in 1994, and subsequently bought by Avid Technology, Inc. in 1998.

External links

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