Free seminars on optimizing a SOFTIMAGE|XSI visual effects and character pipeline, how-to model with ZBrush and XSI, and in-depth facial animation tutorials

Tewksbury, Mass. – November 7, 2005 – Softimage Co., a subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc. today announced the ‘TD Love’ Training Tour, the first in a new series of technical seminars - free for a limited time - designed by and for CG professionals on how to use SOFTIMAGE® technology for improving character creation and visual effects production processes. During the events, experts from CG Soup, Pixologic and the Softimage Special Projects teams will be on-hand to demonstrate how using SOFTIMAGE|XSI® v.5.0, ZBrush 2 and SOFTIMAGE|FACE ROBOTTM software gives studios an advantage for producing high-quality 3D art in a realistic timeframe. Targeted at technical directors and experienced 3D artists, the seminars will highlight how these technologies are deployed and implemented for digital content creation in film, games and broadcast & post productions.

“With a strong new release, and more promising new technology on its way, Softimage has done an incredible job in producing the most powerful tools in the industry for CG characters and visual effects. With the growing XSI user base out there, the next logical step is to engage the technical directors and senior artists who want to use Softimage technology within their facilities,” said Alex Lindsay, chief architect and founder of Pixel Corps, an on-line training guild for digital media. “By offering professional training on how to use several different packages together – including the industry’s leading sculpting tool ZBrush 2 – these seminars are a goldmine for anyone looking to advance their knowledge of 3D – no matter what package they are currently using.”

Structured in two separate modules, each event begins with a four-hour advanced TD seminar designed and presented by CG Soup on the use of SOFTIMAGE|XSI software, covering topics including XSI best practices, advanced character rigging and simulation set-up. After a short break, an evening session will begin for all levels of 3D professionals, focusing on modeling in a ZBrush and XSI environment and facial animation design based on XSI and SOFTIMAGE|FACE ROBOT. Artists from leading post houses (Janimation, Passion Pictures) will also be demonstrating how they use ZBrush and XSI together in their pipelines.

Sponsored by Dell, Intel and Microsoft, the events will feature products running on high-performance Dell Precision™ workstations featuring Intel® Xeon® processors and dual-core Intel® Pentium® processors, with Microsoft Windows XP Professional and Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.

More information and registration details will be posted on www.softimage.com/TDLove

Scheduled cities include:

New York, December 1 – featuring Greg Punchatz, Janimation
Vancouver, December 6 - featuring Greg Punchatz, Janimation
Los Angeles, December 8 – featuring Greg Punchatz, Janimation
London, January 10, 2006 - featuring Alan Jones, Passion Pictures
Paris, January 12, 2006 - featuring Alan Jones, Passion Pictures
Toronto, January 17, 2006 – Guest TBC
Montreal, January 19, 2006 - Guest TBC

About CG Soup
CG Soup offers small and growing studios the services of experts with industry-leading XSI knowledge: Bradley Gabe (ILM, Quietman), Kim Aldis (Aldis Animation) and Maggie Kathwaroon (Softimage). CG Soup’s deep experience with XSI helps customers avoid ramp-up delays and deal with critical issues even before they happen, helping users focus on creativity. Whether a studio has 5 or 500 employees, CG Soup has a solution that fits all needs and budgets. Support offerings range from CuppaSoup remote support billed hourly, to BowlaSoup 3-day introductory sessions, to in-depth Soup du Jour custom solutions and consulting services. For more information, visit www.cg-soup.com.

About ZBrush
ZBrush is an integrated modeling, texturing and illustration environment. It is used in production as a modeling and designing tool for film, games and illustration. ZBrush has an extensive set of real-time sculpting, texturing, and deformation tools. Its instant feedback and real-time response makes it the most natural feeling digital sculpting tool available today. As a stand-alone application, ZBrush offers tremendous flexibility and appeals to a wide audience. To learn more visit www.ZBrush.com and www.ZBrushCentral.com.

About SOFTIMAGE|XSI
SOFTIMAGE|XSI is a complete 3-D modeling and animation solution for the film, broadcast, post-production and interactive entertainment industries. SOFTIMAGE|XSI software is the creative engine behind the Avid Computer Graphics toolset, and an integral player in Avid's Make, Manage and Move Media™ strategy. It is the industry's first 3-D nonlinear production environment providing artists the freedom to make professional computer graphics, 3-D animation, and visual effects – from major motion pictures to CG features and commercials, to video games. Softimage is proud to count amongst its customers: Troublemaker Studios, CaféFX, Giant Killer Robots, R!OT, The Mill, Stan Winston Studios, Pixel Liberation Front, La Maison, Hybride, Janimation, Quiet Man, PSYOP, Cinepix and Nerd Corps. For more information about SOFTIMAGE|XSI visit www.softimage.com.

About Avid Technology, Inc.
Avid Technology, Inc. is the world leader in digital nonlinear media creation, management, and distribution solutions, enabling film, video, audio, animation, games, and broadcast professionals to work more efficiently, productively, and creatively. For more information about the company’s Oscar®, Grammy®, and Emmy® award-winning products and services, please visit: www.avid.com.

© 2005 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, system requirements, and availability are subject to change without notice. Avid, Digidesign, Face Robot, Film Composer, Pro Tools and SOFTIMAGE, Make, Manage and Move Media and XSI are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Avid received an Oscar statuette representing the 1998 Scientific and Technical Award for the concept, design, and engineering of the Avid® Film Composer® system for motion picture editing. Digidesign, Avid’s audio division, received an Oscar statuette representing the 2003 Scientific and Technical Award for the design, development, and implementation of its Pro Tools® digital audio workstation. Oscar is a trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Emmy is a registered trademark of ATAS/NATAS. Grammy is a trademark of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.



Jennifer Goldfinch
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