Softimage to Make SOFTIMAGE|XSI v.2.0 Available for Free

Softimage, a subsidiary of Avid Technology, has announced it willmake its top-of-the-line SOFTIMAGE|XSI v.2.0 Advanced 3D animationsystem available free for noncommercial use. The "SOFTIMAGE|XSIExperience" two-CD pack will come complete with the searchable,SOFTIMAGE|XSI v.2.0 Online Documentation Library, and a comprehensivevideo-based training module. This non-commercial offering gives 3-Danimation professionals - as well as anyone interested in learning ormastering the art - unlimited, free access to the flagship Softimagenonlinear animation [NLA] system and tools to learn it from the groundup.

Users can work with leading-edge modeling capabilities includingNURBS, polygonal modeling and Subdivision Surfaces, plus theSOFTIMAGE|XSI nonlinear animation editing and mixing functionsincluding IK/FK blending and the unique animation mixer. Users can alsotest-drive the fully-integrated 2-D/3-D compositing environment; uniqueReal-Time Shader technology, dynamics simulation including thebrand-new hair/fur simulation subsystem; and industry-leadingSOFTIMAGE|XSI interactive rendering technology, based on mental rayv.3.0 software.

In addition to offering the highest-end version of SOFTIMAGE|XSI,Softimage further distinguishes its offering by making it the onlyfree-access software in the industry to utilize the same file format asits production version. This compatibility means that users may loadand learn from real production scenes and are not limited by a specialfile format.

The SOFTIMAGE|XSI Experience also includes a comprehensive TrainingKit, a value of over $600 USMSRP, to assist users in quickly learningthe vast capabilities of the SOFTIMAGE|XSI system, as well as enablingfast online access to in-depth feature documentation. Additionally,over 70 in-depth functionality demos walk users through each step ofthe SOFTIMAGE|XSI v.2.0 system - providing instruction on everythingfrom learning the user interface, and mastering the new integratedcompositing capabilities, to connecting SOFTIMAGE|XSI software to otherapplications in a 3-D pipeline.

"There's enormous opportunity for artists and animators in multipleindustries to expand their craft and its reach, with the technologyavailable today," said Softimage Managing Director, Michael Stojda."Typically, however, many artists and aspiring artists never get achance to see what's possible - because of time, perceived difficultyor accessibility to the latest and best technology. The SOFTIMAGE|XSIExperience is designed to change that by giving them easy andconvenient access to the industry's most advanced nonlinear animationsystem, as well as training, free of cost and free of risk."

The SOFTIMAGE|XSI Experience CD is available for immediate orderfrom www.softimage.com/experience. As it is intended for non-commercialuse only, output has been restricted with the use of a watermark onrendered images and projects cannot be saved. CDs are available at nocost and are designed for use with the Microsoft Windows XP, Windows2000 and Windows NT platforms. In addition, to facilitate usage, noadditional licensing procedures are required other than those in thelicense agreement included on the CD at the time of installation.