Autodesk Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Skymatter Limited, developer of Mudbox 3D modeling software. This acquisition is expected to augment Autodesk's offering for the film, television, and game market segments, as well as provide additional opportunities for other design disciplines. Autodesk anticipates the transaction to close in the next two months. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Skymatter, a privately held New Zealand-based company, offers Mudbox 3D brush-based modeling software that enables users to sculpt organic shapes in 3D space with brush-like tools. For traditional sculptors and digital artists, Mudbox provides a toolset for creative modeling, prototyping, and detailing. 3D assets created in Mudbox are often later imported into Autodesk 3ds Max and Autodesk Maya software for texturing, rigging, animation, and final rendering.
Mudbox is used by visual effects and game-development companies, such as Weta Digital, Blur Studio, Cinesite, Epic Games, Pandemic Studios, and The Orphanage. The software has shaped photorealistic creatures for King Kong, as well as upcoming films The Golden Compass, Fred Claus, and Inkheart.
Skymatter founders Andrew Camenisch, Dave Cardwell, and Tibor Madjar will join Autodesk's Media & Entertainment business. These computer graphics veterans have production experience from Weta Digital and Electronic Arts, as well as design experience from Ford, GM, and Mercedes Benz.
Autodesk Inc.; www.autodesk.com/mudbox