MicroSoft/Softimage
19 messages in this thread
As a 3DStudio and SoftImage user I am interested in AutoDesk's
reaction and users reactions to Microsoft's purchase of SoftImage
yesterday. What will it mean in the longterm for Intel processor
based animation products. Has anyone heard of any plans for Microsoft
to price the product at a more competitive level across platforms?
I can't speak for Autodesk, but I'll give you a synopsis of my
reaction.
1. Microsoft stated years ago that they plan to own all aspects of
the authoring market for the home consumer "set top" interactive TV
business which is going to emerge over the next 5-7 years. This
includes all their current offerings, plus video editing, 2D
animation, 3D animation, paint, titling, and image processing.
2. MS set up an advanced technology group (they call it the ATC)
years ago with that mission… to only work on products that are
going to be released in the 1996-> timeframe. This is the "set top"
timeframe. They also started licensing HUGE amounts of "content" at
this time.
3. MS hired Martin Hash in 1992 to develop the 3D animation part of
the ATC's charter. But in 1993 MS let him go (sources say that this
is because they saw no future with him). Do you think that their
problems with Hash would make them forget about the 3D market? No
way! Not Microsoft!
4. So, in mid-1993 MS starts looking around for another company to
make a beach-head with in the 3D arena… Now, what other company
also does spline-based character animation? (ie, character animation
is the key here, since it's very accessible to a wide consumer
audience who doesn't really care about architectural visualization or
flying logos). The closest company to this spec is SI. (Forget the
fact that they paid $120 million for a company that had only $20 in
sales last year… Hey! It's Microsoft! That's petty cash for
Chairman Bill!)
To sum up, what you'll see is that over the next couple of years,
there won't be much of a change in the way either MS or SI do
business. In that time, they'll be working on products that fit into
MS's "set top" strategy. And in early 1996, you'll wake up one
morning to see the entire industry start changing… REAL FAST.
There ya go,
– G
PS: We're changing right along with it… That's a personal
guarantee from me.
Right on Gary…and we are hanging on to your coattails all the way.
The one thing that MS fails to realize is that they can own or buy
techie companies (i.e. Fox, etc), but utimately the end product has
got to be produced by dedicated and good third parties to be
successful. The one flaw in MS personality is a morbid lack of
patience. They make up for this in money.
You guys keep improving 3DS, and maintain quality of product, you will
continue to prosper.
The users are the key to any development package. I have never been
involved with a segment of the computer industry with more focus on
quality and inovation as this.
Interesting thoughts, Gary. I suspected the settop market as MS's
reason for doing something so otherwise out of character. Then
again, taking advanced, forward thinking developments and miring them
down in miasmic beaurocracy and maketing strategies is not at all out
of character for MS <g>. Hopefully SI will continue to help push the
envelope of animation/visualization packages.
I think it's important to emphasize the content-generation aspect of this.
This merger (better word: swallowing) doesn't necessarily mean that Microsoft
will someday produce a 3D program. They want their own 3D software for
generating content for these set-top boxes. They want "talking chimps in the
GUI."
I do find it more interesting to speculate about what kind of 3D program
Microsoft might release. It's not inconceivable that they'd want to enter the
CAD and/or 3D markets someday. With several structured drawing packages adding
3D components, and several presentation packages getting closer and closer to
true 3D rendering of their charts and animations, we're not far from wanting to
exchange data between 3D Studio and Excel and Harvard Graphics.
Content generation is an important part of their strategy, and I expect that
future versions of their operating systems to include more and more 3D api's
and features.
– G
You mean features that the top players will need to ignore and re-write in
order to get the speed they want? 🙂
In the latest issue of Computer Reseller News, there's an article that talks
about how Microsoft wants to get into the market for point-of-purchase
computers, in places like McDonalds. They think those terminals should be
running Windows. I kid you not.
How do you spell megalomani… ?
– G
Uhm, 'b i l l g @ m i c r o s o f t . c o m'? 🙂 Actually, there's an
interesting "Five days in the life of Bill Gates" article in Forbes ASAP this
month. And I assume you've read "Overdrive"?
Overdrive was very enlightening.
Haven't seen the Forbes article.
– G
>PS: We're changing right along with it… That's a personal guarantee from
me.<
Soft who???(G)
>>3. MS hired Martin Hash in 1992 to develop the 3D animation part of
the ATC's charter. But in 1993 MS let him go (sources say that this
is because they saw no future with him). Do you think that their
problems with Hash would make them forget about the 3D market? No
way! Not Microsoft!<<
Just to give a counterperspective, I read that Hash left because he
didn't really fit in. He commented in 3DA about not really fitting
in to the corporate life. From the silly intro that he does on the
playmation demo tapes, I can see that. But, don't get me wrong, I'm
not trying to defend his image, etc. I read this in 3D Artist's #13
He's even quoted there. Who knows? All that really matters, I
guess, is that he's gone, and Bill wants to have a 3D program. Hmm..
Microsoft 3D Studio.. nope! that doesn't sound right. <g> Excuse
me, while I go wash out my mouth with soap. <g>
JNJ
According to my sources at MS, that's not what happened.
– G
hmm, ok. SoftImage is a fairly good program..<g> Bill will just have
to develop Windows for the SGI.. How about a Magic Windows? Windows
Magic, hmm.. sounds like a household good. <g>
Never believe anything anyone says in public when a deal goes sour.
🙂 Or maybe Microsoft wasn't pleased with Hash's technology: maybe
it wasn't as novel as he pitched it to be, maybe they didn't like his
rendering code, maybe there was a copyright violation… no one knows
but the ATC group and Hash, I'm sure.
yes, you're right, but you know what? I don't really care. (about
MS, and Hash) I'm getting 3DS, and that makes me happy. 🙂 The ATC
should've tried for Yost.. hmm, or maybe they did.. <g> Mabe Hash
will now take the time and polish up what he's got. Mabe that's good
for A:M.
Enter reply. (/EXIT when done)
PMJI, but all of this discussion of MS & SI reminds me of something I read on
an OS/2 thread somewhere:
(The following said in a monotone borg voice)
We are Microsoft.
OS/2 is irrelevant.
Unix is irrelevant.
Openness is futile.
Prepare to be assimilated.
Of course, you could replace the OS/2 and Unix with whatever you want (ie 3DS
and maybe Playmation). The humor would still be the same. — James —
By the time the MS guys have something in their hands, you will have
90% of the market in yours 🙂
Jim,
This merger does NOT mean you are going to see a dirt cheap version of
SoftImage 3D Creative Environment running on PC's. Check out the SoftImage
Digital Studio running on SGI platforms at NAB, this will give you an idea of
BG's vision for what he wants to do on MultiMedia PC's using SoftImage
technology in the future. I'd guess we are talking NT on a power PC chip.
Bruce