Autodesk Launches New Versions of Visual Effects and Finishing Systems

Includes New Creative Tools, Expanded Format Support and Workflow Enhancements

LAS VEGAS, April 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) today announced the 2009 releases of the Autodesk Inferno, Autodesk Flame and Autodesk Flint software for visual effects systems, and the Autodesk Smoke software finishing system. The company also announced Extension 1 for Autodesk Toxik 2008 software for digital compositing. The releases will be showcased at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) 2008 conference in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 14-17, 2008 at the Autodesk booth SL1420.

Autodesk's visual effects and finishing systems have been used to create numerous blockbuster films, including all three Oscar-nominated movies for Best Visual Effects - The Golden Compass, Transformers and Pirates of the Caribbean 3. Autodesk solutions have also been used to create Emmy-award winning television programs such as Prison Break, Grey's Anatomy, Pushing Daisies, and many of this year's Super Bowl commercials such as Coca-Cola's It's Mine, Budweiser's Clydesdale Team and Federal Express' Carrier Pigeons.

"Viewers are demanding increasing visual sophistication," said Stig Gruman, Digital Entertainment Group vice president, Autodesk Media & Entertainment. "In order to meet this demand, our customers rely on Autodesk solutions to differentiate themselves by delivering high-value content and extreme productivity. With our 2009 releases, we are introducing additional creative capabilities and new visual effects workflows, as well as expanded compressed media support at price points that make our solutions more accessible to mid-range post-production facilities and broadcasters."

New Feature Highlights in Inferno 2009, Flame 2009 and Flint 2009

The 2009 releases of Autodesk's visual effects systems provide digital artists with the reliable, flexible and interactive toolsets required to stay ahead of the competition. New features and enhancements include:

-- New creative tools such as high-quality blur and glow tools,
enhancements to the 3D tracking toolset for faster match moving, and
auto-stabilization capabilities
-- Expanded format support, including the ability to input Panasonic P2
MXF files and common professional Quicktime codecs
-- Timeline enhancements including support for the Smoke SoftFX in a
multi-layer timeline
-- Enhancements to the OpenEXR workflow, allowing artists to perform
compositing operations using high dynamic range files from
applications such as Autodesk Maya 3D animation software and Autodesk
Toxik software
-- New productivity and troubleshooting tools, such as WiretapCentral,
which allows users to browse the Autodesk systems' clip libraries and
encode media using a network-connected web browser

New Feature Highlights in Smoke 2009

Autodesk Smoke 2009 delivers an industry-leading creative toolset, versatile conform capabilities and production-proven performance. New features and enhancements in Smoke 2009 include:

-- A new tree-based compositing workflow, called Batch FX, which is
designed to provide increased visual effects capabilities by marrying
the Smoke system's editorial timeline with the powerful 3D compositing
environment*
-- Expanded format support, including the ability to input Panasonic P2
MXF files and common professional Quicktime codecs
-- Productivity and troubleshooting tools, such as WiretapCentral
(described above)

New Feature Highlights in Toxik 2008 Extension 1

Autodesk Toxik 2008 Extension 1 software delivers user-requested visual effects functionality. This extension release includes:

-- A Warp Image tool, which delivers advanced, nonlinear warping of an
image with precise user-control over transformations
-- Pixel Expression Language (PXL), a new programming language that
allows compositors to quickly create and customize many of the most
commonly applied effects, such as warping, blur, transitions, and more
-- Support for video previewing, which streamlines the compositing
workflow by enabling artists to make informed color decisions

For a complete list of new features and enhancements in the 2009 versions of Inferno, Flame, Flint and Smoke, as well as Autodesk Toxik 2008 Extension 1, visit http://www.autodesk.com/me.

Product Availability and Pricing

Autodesk anticipates that the 2009 releases of Inferno, Flame, Flint and Smoke will be available in April 2008. Autodesk Toxik Subscription will be available in Spring 2008 and Autodesk Toxik 2008 Extension 1 will be available to members of Autodesk Subscription for Toxik with a valid subscription contract.

Autodesk's "Explore Your Options" campaign at NAB introduces its 2009 releases to professionals who are not familiar with Autodesk solutions, and are interested in exploring affordable, innovative toolsets. From April 1 to July 21, 2008, promotional pricing starts at 64,000 USD** for a turnkey Smoke HD system, including storage. Promotional pricing is also available for Smoke 2K, Flame and Flint HD systems.

* Only available in Smoke 2K.
** International pricing may vary.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit http://www.autodesk.com/.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Flame, Flint, Inferno, Maya, Smoke, Toxik and WiretapCentral are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc./Autodesk Canada Co., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

(C) 2008 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

http://www.autodesk.com/inferno
Contacts: Nicolina Servello, 514.954.2838 / Karen Raz, 310.450.1482
Email: nicolina.servello@autodesk.com / karen@razpr.com

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Source: Autodesk, Inc.

CONTACT: Nicolina Servello of Autodesk, Inc., +1-514-954-2838,
nicolina.servello@autodesk.com; Karen Raz, +1-310-450-1482, karen@razpr.com,
for Autodesk, Inc.

Web site: http://www.autodesk.com/
http://www.nabshow.com/

2008-04-13 21:32:24 0334268 PRNEWSWIRE