HOLLYWOOD, Feb 11, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Discreet Technology Used in Top Three Nominees for Best Visual Effects: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers -- Spider-Man -- and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Discreet, a division of Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK), is pleased to announce that all nominated films for the Academy Award(R) for Achievement in Visual Effects used Discreet's industry-leading inferno and flame visual effects compositing systems. The Oscar(R) nominated films The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Spider-Man, and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones -- represent the tremendous creative skill of today's digital artists, and the advanced capabilities of the visual effects technology that they employ. For the last eight years, Discreet technology has been a part of more than 95 percent of the nominated films for best visual effects, including last year's winner, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

"Enabling visual effects artists to realize their most ambitious vision is our primary objective," said Paul Lypaczewski, general manager of Discreet and executive vice president of Autodesk. "Once again, the work submitted for the consideration of the Academy makes us proud to be involved with these incredible individuals and teams. Discreet applauds the artistic and technical skill of all the post production facilities that have been honored with the Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects."

The films and post-production facilities nominated for achievement for best visual effects are:

--  The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers -- WETA Digital, Oktobor
    and Sony Pictures Imageworks
        Including CGI generated characters, battle scenes and
        landscapes throughout the epic film, the Two Towers follows
        the continuous quest of Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship.
--  Spider-Man -- Sony Pictures Imageworks
        Based on the comic book super hero, Spider-Man provides a
        visually stunning glimpse into the world of Peter Parker as he
        swings from building to building in the Big Apple, attempting
        to save the world from the Green Goblin, Spider-Man's
        arch-enemy.
--  Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones -- Industrial Light &
    Magic
        With approximately 70 minutes of animation done in the film,
        Star Wars: Episode II, is a visual effects masterpiece, with
        digitally animated battle scenes and 3D characters that will
        be remembered for generations.

Discreet also congratulates Tomek Baginski of Platige Image (Poland) -- nominated for "The Cathedral" in the category of Best Animated Short Film. The first-time Oscar nominee used Discreet 3ds max and character studio software to make his animated short. This is the second year a 3D animation artist using Discreet 3ds max software has been nominated for Best Animated Short Film (2001 -- "Fifty Percent Grey" Ruairi Robinson and Seamus Byrne).

The 75th Annual Academy Awards(R) for outstanding film achievements of 2002 will air on ABC network television, Sunday, March 23, 2003 at 5:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (8:30 p.m. EDT).

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.

Note to Editors: Discreet is a division of Autodesk, Inc. Discreet. inferno, flame, 3ds max and character studio are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. /Autodesk Canada Inc. in the USA and/or other countries. ACADEMY AWARD(S)(R), OSCAR(S)(R), OSCAR NIGHT(R) and OSCAR(R) statuette design mark are the registered trademarks and service marks, and the OSCAR(R) statuette the copyrighted property, of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

CONTACT:          Discreet Public Relations
                  Kevin G Clark, 415/547-2457
                  kevin.g.clark@autodesk.com
                  or
                  Access Communications
                  Erica Eusebio, 415/844-6212
                  eeusebio@accesspr.com

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