SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 15, 2003--Pushing the innovation envelope in the animation industry, Discreet, a division of Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK) today announced the worldwide shipment of character studio 4, character animation software that offers game developers and effects artists new breakthroughs in creating complex, realistic animated characters. character studio 4 brings pioneering technology to character animation with advancements such as Dynamics-based Mixing, Constraint-based Mixdowns, and intuitive Quaternion Function Curves.

"As we enter a new year, animated characters - especially their sophisticated detail of motion and subtle realism - can help a game reach `best seller' or a film achieve `blockbuster' status," said Joe Klingler, Vice President of Software, Discreet. "character studio 4 alleviates character animation barriers with its unique constraint based motion mixer. Films, TV commercials and games designed with multiple, high-detailed characters created with character studio 4 will definitely create a `wow' effect."

At its release, character studio 4 is already the proud recipient of Computer Graphics World's 2002 Innovation Award as a product that represents true technological innovation having significantly removed technical, aesthetic, and process-intensive barriers for animators. Major enhancements in version 4 include Dynamics-based Mixing, the first animation system to provide propagation of dynamic balancing from the upper body to the lower body, critical for making body part mixes look natural and coherent.

The software also includes Constraint-based Mixdowns, the first animation system that allows animators to mix down non-linear sequences into a single clip while satisfying feet IK and knee joint motion constraints- this provides for the smooth blending of multiple files as well as the blending of motion capture with key-framed data.

"During tough economic times, it's great to see companies like Discreet continue to embrace innovation in creating products to better the animation community," said Phil LoPiccolo, editor-in-chief, Computer Graphics World. "character studio 4's animation analyzer, Quaternion Function Curves and non-linear animation mixer have set this product apart, earning the recognition from our staff as a product that is playing an important role in the creation of state-of-the-art 3D computer graphics."

Animators will also be able to take advantage of character studio 4 software's intuitive Quaternion Function Curves, giving them a more exact method of fluidly controlling character joint rotation without the usual caveats found in other animation systems.

Price and Availability

Used as a companion software extension to Discreet's modeling, animation and rendering solution 3ds max version 4 and version 5, character studio software has a suggested retail price (SRP) in North America of US $995. character studio 4 is available from local Discreet resellers and on the Discreet e-store: http://www.discreet.com/purchase. Visit Discreet at www.discreet.com or call 800-869-3504 or 514-393-1616 for more information.

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/interactive design, and design visualization. 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.

Discreet is a division of Autodesk, Inc. Discreet, 3ds max and character studio are either registered trademarks or 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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