Softimage Co., a subsidiary of Avid Technology Inc., announced the latest versions of its 3D animation software packages, Softimage|XSI 6.5 and Face Robot 1.8. Softimage also announced plans to repackage its Essentials and Advanced versions of Softimage|XSI 6.5 software to better meet the specific needs of artists (Essentials) and studios (Advanced). The latest version of Softimage Face Robot will offer new features and enhancements focused on game development pipelines. Softimage expects to begin shipping Softimage|XSI 6.5 and Face Robot 1.8 software to be available this fall.
Softimage is adding more than 30 new tools and enhancements to its Softimage|XSI 6.5 Essentials and Advanced versions. The R&D team at Softimage developed these new features and enhancements to meet specific workflow needs of its customers from the game development, visual effects, and visualization industry.
Additions to Softimage|XSI 6.5 Essentials and Advanced include:
HDR (High Dynamic Range) rendermap support
SDK (Software Developer Kit) improvements
UV editing enhancements (UV, a 2D image representing a 3D model)
Audio support
Softimage|XSI 6.5 Essentials gains:
Hair and fur
Syflex cloth
More than 30 enhancements derived from key clients in film, television, and gaming
The Essentials price will increase from $1995 to $2995. Maintenance remains unchanged at $799. Upgrades remain unchanged at $999.
Added to Softimage|XSI 6.5 XSI are:
Five XSI Batch rendering licenses for six total licenses and support for 36 render nodes
More than 30 enhancements derived from key clients in film, television and gaming
The Advanced price will decrease from $6995 to $4995. The Maintenance price will decrease from $1799 to $1333.
Softimage has upgraded Face Robot 3D character facial animation software for use in games, film, and television. Version 1.8 of Face Robot offers new features that focus on game development pipeline efficiencies.
New to Face Robot 1.8:
Built on Softimage|XSI 6 core, taking advantage of such new features such as Crosswalk, MOTOR (motion transfer), Delta Referencing, and Animation Layers
New shape rig export system that exports entire head blend shapes for use in XSI and Maya
Improved game export pipeline with more accurate auto-enveloping
Enhanced training materials including:
Seven ready-to-use preset heads
A 23-part training video covering the Face Robot tuning process
Softimage Co.; http://www.softimage.com/events/sig07, http://www.softimage.com