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This information was released on Tuesday, August 3, 1993 at 12:18 pm PDT. For Immediate Release Contact: Garth Chouteau Autodesk Inc. (415) 491-8853 Sony Pictures Imageworks Selects Autodesk's 3D Studio(R) For New In-House Digital Production System Favors PC-based Software for In-House Script Previsualization, Titles and Credits Production SAUSALITO, Calif, August 3, 1993 — The Multimedia Division of Autodesk Inc. today announced that the company's 3D Studio animation software is the key component of a new digital production system developed by Sony Pictures Imageworks (SPI), a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company, for previsualization and production of motion picture titles and credits. SPI is currently using 3D Studio to previsualize sequences in upcoming films such as Columbia Pictures' Striking Distance, starring Bruce Willis, and TriStar Pictures' So I Married an Axe Murderer, starring Michael Meyers. SPI has selected the 3D Studio software to lead an evolutionary change in motion picture scene pre-visualization. "We spent a year evaluating all the best PC, Mac and SGI software," said Frank Foster, vice president of previsualization at Sony Pictures' Imageworks. "3D Studio came out on top because it's very fast, it's feature-rich, and the documentation is good. We just couldn't get this kind of real-time playback on other systems at anywhere near the price." Foster also notes that compatibility between Autodesk's AutoCAD(R) drafting and design software and 3D Studio facilitates the creation of set reproduction originally based on hand-drafted blueprints. Sets designed with AutoCAD are transferred as physically accurate CAD files and serve as a starting point for creating precise simulations of props, actors and sets to be used in script previsualizations. Traditionally, special effects planning and production have been the domain of a handful of expensive "F/X" houses staffed by experts who created simulations on very expensive computers. Development of SPI's on-site system marks the first major move in the motion picture industry to capitalize on personal computer technology and bring feature film planning and title production in- house. "This is a great opportunity to see 3D Studio get a real workout," said Bob Bennett, 3D Studio senior product manager for Autodesk's Multimedia Division. "Movie production is the ultimate test for multimedia and animation software technology — we're really pleased that the quality and features of 3D Studio are up to the high standards of the directors and producers who work with SPI." SPI uses the 3D Studio-based production system to create animated versions of film sequences, or "previsualizations," that allow directors to test new ideas and explore alternative action shots and camera angles quickly and easily. The on-site computer simulations range from setting up stunt work and testing alternative endings to previsualization of entire sequences, such as the axe point-of-view sequence from So I Married an Axe Murderer. The system allows directors to more accurately plan by viewing an animated version of their film in real-time well before a single frame is filmed. The production system is also used to create opening title and end credit sequences. For the TriStar film Wilder Napalm, starring Dennis Quaid and Debra Winger, a 3D Studio add-on effect, called IPAS "melt" and created by Yost Group Inc. was used to make the credits appear to drip down the screen. 3D Studio was also used to generate the opening and closing title sequences for Mr. Jones, starring Richard Gere and Lena Olin and directed by Mike Figgis. By creating titles digitally, SPI is achieving superior quality and greater control at a price comparable to traditional, non-digital methods. SPI anticipates an expanding role for the 3D Studio-based system, including longer and more complex animated title sequences for film, and application of the technology to television production. Autodesk 3D Studio is the leading 3D visualization and animation solution for the PC and has been embraced by video professionals in a wide range of market segments, from video post-production specialists to entertainment software developers. Autodesk's IPAS technology allows the user to extend 3D Studio with custom special effects. In addition to Autodesk's 3D Studio software and the IPAS effects, the SPI production system also includes Autodesk Animator Pro(TM), Autodesk's award-winning professional-quality 2D paint and animation software package. Sony Pictures Imageworks, a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) Company, based at SPE's world headquarters in Culver City, is an industry pioneer in state-of -the-art digital imaging for a wide range of motion picture applications. Sony Pictures global operations encompasses motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, theatrical exhibition, home video, operation of studio facilities and distribution of film entertainment worldwide. Autodesk Inc. develops, markets and supports a family of design automation software products, as well as professional scientific and multimedia software for personal computers and workstations. Headquartered in Sausalito, California, Autodesk is the world's leading supplier of desktop CAD software. Autodesk shares are traded on NASDAQ under the symbol ACAD. For more information, please call 415-332-2344 or type GO ADESK on CompuServe(R). – 30 – Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, 3D Studio and AutoCAD are registered trademarks, and Animator Pro is a trademark of Autodesk, Inc. CompuServe is a registered trademark of H&R Block. All other trade and product names mentioned are the service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.