Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID), announced that its Softimage, Co. subsidiary has released SOFTIMAGE®|XSI® 6, the latest version of its flagship 3D animation and character creation software. Available now for download, XSI 6 software offers new features and solutions that result in a fast and highly integrated way to work with complex 3D characters and motion capture data in a mixed-studio pipeline. Whether used for visual effects in film and broadcast programs or for designing next-generation PC and console games, XSI 6 software delivers many powerful capabilities to 3D artists this holiday season.

Along with major advances in animation and data management for complex 3D scenes, the rendering core within XSI 6 software has been enhanced for increased performance, scalability and extensibility. The software offers integration with the mental ray® 3.5 rendering application, and now includes expanded support for the integration of third-party renderers via a new open rendering API (Application Programming Interface).

In addition, XSI 6 software includes free DVD training from Digital-Tutors, an innovator in interactive video and online training. The five XSI software training chapters include: Introduction; Modeling & Texturing; Animation; Animation & Dynamics; Lighting and Rendering - a total of 43 lessons. The new DVD training underscores Softimage’s commitment to provide new and existing XSI software customers expanded learning tools.

Additional highlights of XSI 6 software include:

• Crosswalk - a dedicated toolset that offers extensive asset transfer to and from other 3D software, ideal for today’s mixed pipelines;
• MOTOR - a streamlined way to transfer and move animation and motion capture data between arbitrary XSI rigs and other 3D software character rigs;
• Delta Referencing - a new lightweight production-level referencing solution that streamlines the process of working with and making changes to 3D models and scene set-ups;
• Elastic Reality Warper and Morpher - built into the Illusion compositor in XSI 6 software, this intuitive solution allows artists to ‘distort’ and ‘morph’ images and sequences;

A full feature list for SOFTIMAGE| XSI 6 can be found at: www.softimage.com/xsi.

SOFTIMAGE|XSI 6 is available now for download in the following configurations:

• SOFTIMAGE|XSI 6 Foundation: $495 USMSRP from the Softimage web site (www.softimage.com/store) or from authorized Softimage resellers
• SOFTIMAGE|XSI 6 Essentials: $1,995 USMSRP from authorized Softimage resellers
• SOFTIMAGE|XSI 6 Advanced: $6,995 USMSRP from authorized Softimage resellers

All versions are available for download for upgrades from existing licenses or first time 3D customers at www.softimage.com/download.

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