Discreet Ships 3ds max 6 Professional 3D Animation Software

San Francisco, Calif.-Discreet, a division of Autodesk, Inc.(NASDAQ: ADSK), announced it has begun shipping 3ds max 6 software, thelatest version of its award-winning professional 3D modeling, animationand rendering package. This major release delivers significantadvancements to existing core features as well as new functionalitydeveloped in close cooperation with key customers such as SEGACorporation Japan to enhance workflow for 3D artists and designers inthe film, television, games development and design visualizationmarkets.

"This new version of 3ds max 6 focuses on a blend of customer-drivenrefinements, new features, and application stability-reinforcing itslegacy as the 3D solution with the breadth and productivity to deliverthe job from start to finish," said Paul Lypaczewski, general managerof Discreet and executive vice president, Autodesk, Inc.

New features in 3ds max 6 software include an advanced schematicview for complex scene management; integrated mental ray 3.2 renderer;a new event-driven particle system; reactor 2 stuntman dynamics;unmatched design workflow with Autodesk solutions through .DWGimport/export with ObjectARX support; vertex painting; enhancedmodeling and skinning tools; HDRI support; performance optimizationsdesigned in conjunction with Intel Corporation; and extensive focus onenriching the reliability of existing features. The release alsoincorporates a new CD-ROM complete with software from strategicpartners such as Criterion Software RenderWare Visualizer, BionaticsEASYnat, Okino Computer Graphics PolyTrans OpenFlight, and ArchVision.

"We've relied on Discreet 3ds max software to produce 3D visualeffects on projects like Warner Brothers' A Cinderella Story-and theup-coming Tom Cruise film, The Last Samurai, and the new Scooby-Doo 2:Monsters Unleashed motion picture due in 2004," said Benoit Girard,President and Founder of Digital Dimension, Los Angeles. "We wererapidly impressed with the stability of the Alpha/BETA versions of 3dsmax 6. We used it to produce many of our visual effects projects overthe past eight months. With the added mental ray renderer, physics andnew schematic view in 3ds max 6-the productivity gains will definitelyhelp us continue to deliver first class results to our clients," addedGirard.

3ds max 6 is available for US $3,495. Localized internationalversions are expected to be available winter 2003. For more sales andproduct information, contact a Discreet Authorized Reseller atwww.discreet.com/resellers. Customers under the Discreet Subscriptionwill receive the version upgrade automatically. For more Subscriptioninformation, visit www.discreet.com/subscriptionfor details.

About 3ds max

Discreet 3ds max software has the largest installed base in the 3Dindustry and is the preferred 3D software in the core productionenvironment for UBI Soft, Rockstar Games, Electronic Arts, HOK, EllerbeBecket, Blur Studios, Frantic Films, Digital Dimensions-along withother leading design and entertainment firms.

From the latest radical Burton snowboard designs and the first 3Ddesign visualization software used by the Frank Lloyd Wright TaliesinWest School of Architecture-to the enthralling visual effects scenesfound in "The Last Samurai" and interactive twists and turns found inthe best-selling game "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" or the globallyanticipated "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" for MicrosoftXbox-3ds max continues its widespread popularity and leadership as thepreferred 3D production solution of top artists and designersworldwide.

About Discreet

Discreet empowers media professionals to realize the visualexperience and transform their vision into reality. Discreet'saward-winning solutions are designed for digital media creation,management and delivery-across all disciplines from film and televisionvisual effects, color grading and editing to animation, gamedevelopment, and design visualization. Discreet is based in Montreal,Quebec and is a division of Autodesk, Inc, the world's leading designand digital media creation, management, and distribution company. www.discreet.com.