Side Effects Software is breaking down barriers by eliminating the industry standard watermark from its new HD Houdini Apprentice package, a $99 version designed for artists and enthusiasts who want to develop personal CG projects and portfolios.
"Learning and trial versions of 3D Animation software have always come with lots of limits such as annoying watermarks that blemish the artist's work," said Kim Davidson, president and co-founder Side Effects Software. "With Houdini Apprentice HD we have taken away the watermark and put our focus on giving artists, enthusiasts and students the perfect tool for developing personal art and animation on a shoestring budget."
Houdini Apprentice HD will render still images at any resolution and animations at a maximum resolution of 1920x1080. The new Houdini Apprentice HD uses the same non-commercial file format as Houdini Apprentice and artists can share files between the two versions.
Schools and training facilities will also benefit from this program as students working with either the free Houdini Apprentice or Houdini Apprentice HD will be able to bring their work into the computer lab and render watermark-free at HD resolutions.
"By supporting Individual artists in addition to students, Side Effects is recognizing CG as first and foremost a visual art form which shines more brightly when not encumbered by a corporate rubber stamp." said Sandip Patel, COO of Digital-Tutors. "Making CG more accessible for artists has always been one of our key goals and we are pleased to announce that Digital-Tutors is working on some exciting Houdini training and educational initiatives."
Both versions of Houdini Apprentice include all of Houdini Master's features except for the ability to render to third-party renderers. Each copy of Houdini Apprentice comes with one Mantra render token.
The Houdini Apprentice HD "Starving Artist" Edition is now available for purchase online through the Houdini Store at www.sidefx.com/apprentice.
Established in 1987, Side Effects Software (www.sidefx.com) is a world leader in the development of advanced 3D animation and vfx software for use in film. Side Effects Software leads the field of procedural animation with its unique, award-winning, Houdini technology. Houdini is used by numerous digital content creation leaders, including: C.O.R.E., Digital Domain, Walt Disney Animation Studios, DNA Prods., Framestore-CFC, The Orphanage, Rhythm & Hues, and Sony Pictures Imageworks.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
