Autodesk Introduces Discreet Inferno Visual Effects System on Linux Operating System

Autodesk Introduces Discreet Inferno Visual Effects System on Linux Operating System

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Apr. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) today launched its Academy Award-winning* Discreet Inferno visual effects system running on the Linux operating system. The Discreet Inferno system enables the world's top digital artists in broadcast facilities, post-production houses and film studios to deliver extraordinary moving imagery. This system contains a robust creative toolset for high-speed compositing, advanced graphics and interactive design. It has shaped blockbuster feature films and television programming -- such as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, as well as numerous Super Bowl commercials and premium television channel branding.

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"Autodesk's Discreet Inferno system on a blazingly fast dual-core Linux workstation allows our artists more time and opportunity to do what they love best -- be creative," commented Wilaiwan Leelachart, Managing Director, Fame Post. "Moreover, the system has strong brand recognition and incomparable performance, delivering top results that help us attract and retain the prestigious clients that drive our business. We've adopted the Discreet Inferno system because we need to deliver complex, high-end visual effects work without compromising quality or wasting time."

"Autodesk's Discreet Inferno visual effects system provides the ultimate interactive experience," said Martin Vann, vice president of Autodesk's Media & Entertainment Division. "With the Discreet Inferno system's rich toolset on a high-powered, multi-core Linux workstation, users will benefit from even faster processing speeds and greater interactivity. For customers who create demanding visual effects with multiple layers and heavy data sets, the Discreet Inferno system on the Linux workstation can offer up to five times the performance (per CPU) of previous SGI platforms such as the Onyx 2." **

In November 2005, Autodesk launched a Linux-based configuration of the Discreet Inferno 6.5 system exclusively for the Japanese market. As a result of global customer interest and immediate success in Japan, Autodesk is extending a similar offering worldwide. The Linux-based Discreet Inferno system will be available worldwide on an IBM dual-core AMD workstation. The Discreet Inferno system is already available on the IRIX operating system.

Teruo Shirakawa, Director of Video Process Group, Video Imaging Division, IMAGICA WEST Corp. in Japan, explained, "We chose Autodesk's Discreet Inferno system running the Linux operating system because it delivers project efficiency and high-quality results. The system helps us keep our clients satisfied and excited about the projects we present and deliver to them."

The Discreet Inferno system is renowned for its interactivity, allowing digital artists to explore visual concepts with their clients in real time. Shirakawa continued, "We use Autodesk's Discreet Inferno system running Linux primarily for our client sessions. Each time we use the system, we're pleasantly surprised at its real-time response rate and high rendering speed, in addition to its stability and reliability. The efficiency of our workflow has dramatically improved; it has removed all barriers as we consider moving our complete facility to Linux."

Availability

The Discreet Inferno system running on Linux-based workstations will be offered in addition to the currently shipping version of Discreet Inferno on the SGI Onyx 350 Visualization System. The Discreet Inferno visual effects system running on dual-core IBM, AMD Linux-based workstations will begin shipping worldwide in late April 2006. For additional information on Autodesk Discreet systems, please visit: www.autodesk.com/me. For information on configurations and pricing, please contact Autodesk's Media & Entertainment Division at 800-869-3504.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is wholly focused on ensuring that great ideas are turned into reality. With seven million users, Autodesk is the world's leading software and services company for the manufacturing, building, infrastructure, wireless data services and media and entertainment fields. Autodesk's solutions help customers create, manage and share their data and digital assets more effectively. As a result, customers turn ideas into competitive advantage by becoming more productive, streamlining project efficiency and maximizing profits.

Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California. For additional information about Autodesk, please visit www.autodesk.com.

* In 1998, Autodesk's Discreet Inferno and Discreet Flame systems designers won the Scientific and Engineering Academy Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

** Performance will vary based on setup and is not guaranteed.

NOTE: Autodesk, Discreet and Inferno are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. Academy Award is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 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.

We may make statements regarding planned or future development efforts for our existing or new products and services. These statements are not intended to be a promise or guarantee of future delivery of products, services or features but merely reflect our current plans, which may change. Purchasing decisions should not be made based upon reliance on these statements.

The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist or change after the date on which they were made.

CONTACT: Christine Stoner of Autodesk, Inc., +1-416-874-8841, or christine.stoner@autodesk.com.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050415/SFF034LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Autodesk, Inc.

CONTACT: Christine Stoner of Autodesk, Inc., +1-416-874-8841, or
christine.stoner@autodesk.com

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

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