SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 19, 2002--Discreet, a division of Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK), today announced that Ntropic, a San Francisco-based post-production and visual effects boutique, has purchased the new versions of inferno(R) 5, Discreet's industry-leading visual effects and compositing system, and fire(R) 5, the industry's premier finishing system running on an SGI(R) Onyx(R) 3200 supercomputer. Ntropic -- which is best known for their work on the California Tourism campaign "We're Californians..." commercial for Mering & Associates, and the MTV Video Music Award-nominated Quarashi video "Stick 'em Up" directed by Len Wiseman -- considers the purchase critical to their success in competing with larger post facilities for pending, high-profile film and HD projects now and in the new year.

"When we looked at competitive products, they simply didn't have the toolsets we needed to accomplish the work," said Nate Robinson, Ntropic's co-founder and senior inferno artist. "For example, the new version of inferno has advanced workflow with proxy processing that enables us to move data on High Definition and 2k projects at least 30 percent faster than we could in the past. Now, we can experiment in proxy mode and switch to full resolution for final render, and have significantly more time to work on the creative portion. Additionally, with the new resolution-independent framework, we can be far more productive by not having to jump between 601, HD, and 2K versions."

inferno, Discreet's Academy Award(R)-winning visual effects system(1), delivers the ultimate real-time performance for high quality video, HDTV, DTV, 2K digital cinema and feature film. From national television commercials and music videos to blockbuster movies, the inferno system provides digital artists with the client-driven design capabilities, online interactivity, and acclaimed compositing tools. Top facilities and broadcast networks employ the creative capabilities of inferno to create some of the industry's most compelling visual effects with the immediate feedback necessary for true online experimentation. The new version, inferno 5, provides an unparalleled open and modern framework with improved workflow and advanced feature sets including mixed resolution support, extended editing capabilities and background rendering on Linux.

About Ntropic

Co-founded in early 1997 by Nate Robinson, Ntropic boasts two of the only High Definition suites in the San Francisco area, providing post services from creative off-line and high-end visual effects to finishing. Specializing in broadcast commercials, film and music videos, Ntropic's recent projects have included: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers video game commercial for EA Games & OWN&P; concert/ performance graphics and videos to support trance DJ Paul Oakenfolds' world tour, directed by Arni & Kinsky of Mars Media/HSI; a series of Sega commercials for Leagas Delaney SF including NBA2K3 "What it feels like" directed by Hype Williams, and NFL2K3 "Scream" directed by Speck & Gordon; and two spots for Dairy Cheese "Pinata" and "Closing up shop" directed by Rocky Morton, MJZ for DDB Needham Chicago, Greg Popp executive producer. For more information, please visit www.ntropic.com.

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. (1) In 1999, Discreet's inferno and flame visual effects systems were

each recognized with an Academy Award -- Scientific and

Engineering Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and

Sciences.

Note to Editors: Discreet is a division of Autodesk, Inc. Autodesk, Discreet, inferno, and fire are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc./ Autodesk Canada Inc. in the USA and/or other countries. Academy Award is the registered trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

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