During SIGGRAPH 2009, Autodesk Inc. debuted Suites for Digital Entertainment Creation. The product Suites provide artists, production facilities, and educators access to more creative tools at a cost savings when compared to purchasing each product license separately. Used together, the products in the Suites help artists increase creative capability and optimize productivity, says a company representative. The Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suites and Autodesk Real-Time Animation Suites are designed for commercial use, whereas the Autodesk Education Suite for Entertainment Creation is for postsecondary educators, and Autodesk Animation Academy is for secondary schools.
The flagship Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suites offer customers a choice of either Autodesk Maya or Autodesk 3ds Max software, together with both Autodesk Mudbox and Autodesk MotionBuilder software. Mudbox helps artists to sculpt detailed models quickly and intuitively. MotionBuilder provides artists with a real-time animation engine for interactive creative feedback and efficient handling of large amounts of animation data. The Suites also take advantage of Autodesk FBX data exchange technology.
The Autodesk Real-Time Animation Suites are designed for animation-intensive productions, and offer a choice of either Maya or 3ds Max software, in addition to MotionBuilder software. MotionBuilder provides animators with a real-time 3D engine and animation toolset to quickly and efficiently create, manipulate, and process large amounts of animation data.
The Autodesk Education Suite for Entertainment Creation is designed to help educators prepare students for professional careers in the increasingly competitive 3D job market. The Suite includes access to flexible learning resources and the same software used by top creative professionals: Maya, 3ds Max, MotionBuilder, Mudbox, Autodesk Softimage, and Autodesk SketchBook Pro software. The Suite is available for both institution and student purchase.
Autodesk Animation Academy is designed to inspire secondary school students to explore careers in the arts, entertainment, and visualization fields. The Suite offers software and curriculum resources that enable students to learn 3D technology while exploring new ways to visualize ideas, says a representative. It includes Maya, 3ds Max, MotionBuilder, Mudbox, and SketchBook Pro software, as well as a Curriculum Resources DVD and access to online community resources. Animation Academy is available exclusively for secondary or high schools providing instruction for teenagers aged 11 through 17.
All four Digital Entertainment Creation Suites are expected to ship in English for the Windows operating system during fall 2009. The Autodesk suggested retail price (SRP) for the Entertainment Creation Suite is $4995. The Autodesk SRP for the Real-Time Animation Suite is $4795.
Autodesk Subscription can be purchased for the Entertainment Creation Suite at the Autodesk SRP of $845, and for the Real-Time Animation Suite at the Autodesk SRP of $825. Autodesk Subscription with Gold Support can be purchased for the Entertainment Creation Suite at the Autodesk SRP of $1245, and for the Real-Time Animation Suite at the Autodesk SRP of $1210. Autodesk Subscription services are also available for the Education Suites.