Autodesk today presented new releases of its visual-effects and finishing software. Inferno, Flame, Flint, and Smoke were announced in 2009 versions, while the company also presented the first extension for its Toxik 2008 digital-compositing software. The new versions are being shown from 14 to 17 April at the NAB 2008 Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, at Autodesk booth SL1420.
Autodesk’s effects and finishing systems have been used on blockbusters including The Golden Compass, Transformers, and Pirates of the Caribbean 3, all nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. Autodesk solutions were also used on Emmy-winning television programs including Prison Break, Grey’s Anatomy, and Pushing Daisies, and on several commercials for this year’s Super Bowl, including Coca-Cola’s It’s Mine, Budweiser’s Clydesdale Team, and Federal Express’s Carrier Pigeons.
“Audiences are demanding increasingly sophisticated visual effects,” said Stig Gruman, Vice President of the Digital Entertainment Group at Autodesk Media & Entertainment. “To address these requirements, our customers rely on Autodesk solutions. They can differentiate themselves by creating high-quality content at extremely high productivity rates. With our 2009 releases, we are introducing additional creative capabilities and new visual-effects workflows. We are also offering expanded support at prices that make our solutions more accessible to mid-sized postproduction studios and broadcasters.”
Highlights of New Features in Inferno 2009, Flame 2009, and Flint 2009
The 2009 releases of Autodesk’s visual-effects systems provide artists with flexible, interactive toolsets. New features and improvements include:
• New creative tools, including high-quality blur and glow tools, improvements to the 3D tracking toolset for faster matchmoving, and automatic stabilization
• Expanded format support, including Panasonic P2 MXF files and current professional QuickTime codecs
• Timeline improvements, including support for Smoke SoftFX in a multilayer timeline
• OpenEXR workflow improvements that let artists composite high-dynamic-range files from applications including Autodesk Maya 3D and Autodesk Toxik
• New productivity and troubleshooting tools including WiretapCentral, which lets users browse clip libraries on Autodesk systems and encode media through a network-connected web browser
Smoke 2009 Highlights
Autodesk Smoke 2009 combines a creative toolset, conforming functions, and production performance. New features and improvements include:
• Batch FX, a new tree-based compositing workflow designed to add visual-effects functions by combining the Smoke system’s editorial timeline with its 3D compositing environment
• Expanded format support, including Panasonic P2 MXF files and current professional QuickTime codecs
• Productivity and troubleshooting tools including WiretapCentral
Toxik 2008 Extension 1 Highlights
Autodesk Toxik 2008 Extension 1 adds user-requested visual-effects functions, including:
• A Warp Image tool providing advanced nonlinear image warping with precise user-controlled transitions
• Pixel Expression Language, or PXL, a new programming language that allows compositors to create and customize frequently used effects such as warps, blurs, and transitions
• Video-preview support that streamlines compositing by allowing artists to make informed color decisions
A complete list of features and improvements in the 2009 versions of Inferno, Flame, Flint, and Smoke and Autodesk Toxik 2008 Extension 1 is available at http://www.autodesk.com/me.
Product Availability and Pricing
The new 2009 versions of Inferno, Flame, Flint, and Smoke are expected to be available in April 2008. Autodesk Toxik Subscription will be available in spring 2008, and Autodesk Toxik 2008 Extension 1 will be provided to users with a valid Autodesk Toxik subscription.
Autodesk’s “Explore Your Options” NAB campaign also introduces the 2009 versions to visitors who are unfamiliar with the company’s solutions but want to learn about lower-cost toolsets.
