Autodesk Inc. is heading to the 2006 Game Developers Conference (GDC) with arguably the worlds leading portfolio of animation tools for next-generation game development. Autodesk will showcase the latest versions of its 3D animation software products at booth #526. GDC will take place from March 22-24 at the San Jose Convention Center.
At GDC, Autodesk will demonstrate a product line that offers games companies the ultimate in power, productivity, flexibility and choice for 3D artistry. Following Autodesk_s acquisition of Alias in January 2006, the Autodesk animation portfolio includes Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max and MotionBuilder software. Autodesk provides the most widely used 3D and character animation solutions used by game developers to realize their creative ideas. Autodesk is unveiling Autodesk MotionBuilder 7.5 character animation software at GDC.
At the Autodesk booth, world-class game developers are scheduled to demonstrate how Autodesk solutions helped bring their games to life:
* Electronic Arts art director Eduardo Agostini will present on the top-selling game title NEED FOR SPEED: MOST WANTED* Ubisofts senior animator Jonathan Abenhaim will present on PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE TWO THRONES AND SPLINTER CELL* Harmonix art director Ryan Lesser will present on GUITAR HERO* Infinity Wards lead animator Michael Boon will present on CALL OF DUTY 2* Midway Games director of Art Technology, Martin Murphy, will discuss next-generation game development
We look forward to presenting our newly expanded 3D animation portfolio at the Game Developers Conference, said Martin Vann, vp of Autodesks Media & Ent. division. Game developers rely on Autodesks software to build breakthrough games. Well continue to partner with the gaming community to provide innovative 3D animation tools.
Throughout GDC, Autodesk will also be offering a variety of educational courses for Autodesk 3ds Max, Maya and MotionBuilder software users. Topics include animation techniques for Autodesk 3ds Max 8 software, modeling in Autodesk Maya software and interchange via the Autodesk FBX file format. The courses will be taught by the following game industry luminaries and in-house experts:
* A2Ms David Lightblown, Ubisofts Jonathan Abenhaim, Epic Games Shaun Caudle and Naughty Dogs Judd Simontov
* Autodesks Curtis Garton, Gordon Bradley, Kevin Booth, Bernard Lefebvre, Vincent Brisebois and Neil Hazzard
Please consult the Autodesk GDC Session Schedule at usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=6547258 for full course schedule details.
For the first time, Autodesk is featuring a GDC Partner Booth showcasing technology from industry leading plug-in developers for both Autodesk 3ds Max and Autodesk Maya software. Exhibitors at the Autodesk Partner Booth #534 include: @Last Software, Audiokinetic, Big World, Bionatics, BlueRock, Cubicspace, Frantic Films, Garage Games, HI Corp., Illuminate Labs, Mankua, Natural Motion, NPower, OC3 Ent., Orbaz Technology, Pipeline FX, SensAble, SitniSati and Splutterfish.
Autodesk Inc. (www.autodesk.com) is the world's leading software and services company for the manufacturing, building, infrastructure, wireless data services and media and entertainment fields. Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
