SIGGRAPH 2002

Booth #8062

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 22, 2002--Building on a decade of visual effects expertise, Discreet -- a division of Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK) -- today announced new product releases for inferno 5, flame 8 and flint 8 systems. Demonstrated at SIGGRAPH 2002, the software releases mark significant architectural, feature and workflow improvements that continue to expand and enhance the investments of visual effects artists, compositors and motion graphic designers in television and film. In addition, the company notes the continued global success of combustion 2 software, which has been celebrated by digital artists as the most powerful professional desktop 3D compositing, paint and animation software tool to hit the market in the past decade.

"With the new release of inferno 5 artists will be able to push the envelope even further. Things like mixed resolution and 3D integration using the new FBX format allow the user to be more creative without having to worry about technical limitations," said Nathan Robinson, visual effects artist, ntropic, San Francisco. "Discreet continues to deliver innovative toolsets in fire and inferno that allow my imagination to become reality.

The company is presenting new technology demonstrations of its Academy Award(R)-winning flame 8 visual effects system at SIGGRAPH 2002, a trade show that has played host to some key moments in Discreet's history. The latest Discreet systems include significant software architecture modifications designed to dramatically improve post-production workflow by offering digital artists increased freedom, flexibility and speed. New features include support for mixed resolutions enabling artists to combine various film, video, graphics and other multimedia formats within one project at any resolution or format; new timeline editing, enabling extended control over the design of a visual effect; new support for Kaydara's FBX file format, enabling import of more 3D data for better 2D/3D integration; and hundreds of specific user-requested features that underscore the richness of the toolsets.

"Having worked with both Discreet's flame and combustion systems on projects such as the new Pantene Pro-V worldwide campaign and a commercial series for Bud Light, I can attest to the power and ease-of-use in making even our most complex visions a reality," said Wally Rodriguez, Director of Visual Effects for Upstairs, Florida. "What makes this all the more exceptional is the seamless integration between products -- we can easily move set-ups between combustion and our flame systems without worry when under deadline pressure."

Released in January 2002, combustion 2 continues to gain worldwide market acceptance as the preferred desktop 3D compositing, paint and animation solution for Macintosh and Windows systems. Since its release, the software has received numerous awards including MacAddict's "Freakin' Awesome" award, AV Video Multimedia Producer's "Reader's Choice Award," and Animation Magazine's "Seal of Excellence."

In addition, combustion has been used as part of the compositing package for such high-profile films as Minority Report, XXX and Stuart Little 2. As the software's popularity grows, more and more users will reap creative and financial benefits from the seamless integration of combustion 2 with Discreet's 3ds max animation software, and fire 5 and smoke 5 nonlinear finishing/editing systems, as well as many desktop nonlinear editing solutions such as Apple Final Cut Pro and Avid systems.

Pricing and availability

flame 8 will be demonstrated in the Discreet booth at SIGGRAPH in San Antonio. For full pricing and configuration details on inferno 5, flame 8 and flint 8, please contact Discreet Sales at 800/869-3504 or 514/393-1616.

About Discreet

Discreet empowers moving media professionals to realize the visual experience, transforming their most evocative and ambitious visions into reality. Its range of award-winning systems and software is developed for digital media creation, management and delivery -- across all disciplines from visual effects and editing to animation, game development, web and interactive. Discreet is based in Montreal, Quebec and is a division of Autodesk, Inc., the world's leading design and digital media creation, management, and distribution company. Product and corporate information is located on the Internet at www.discreet.com.

Note to Editors: Discreet is a division of Autodesk, Inc. Autodesk, Discreet, 3ds max, combustion, inferno, flame, flint, fire and smoke are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc./ Autodesk Canada Inc. in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

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