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MillimeterAutodesk Introduces Linux-based Version of Autodesk Toxik Visual Effects Software
Dec 8, 2005 3:31 PM
At the Digital Media Festival in Sydney, Australia, Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK) launched Autodesk Toxik visual effects software running on the Linux operating system. Toxik software enables teams of digital artists to collaboratively realize feature film visual effects ideas and is already available on the Windows operating system. With the introduction of Toxik software running on Linux, film studios and postproduction facilities have more options for the back-end infrastructure and administration of their digital film pipelines.
"The number of digital artists collaborating on a film can range from less than 10 to more than 100. Autodesk Toxik software facilitates collaboration within these workgroups," says Bill Roberts, director of product management for Autodesk's Media & Entertainment Division. "Linux is now a prevalent operating system for feature film pipelines. It simplifies the management of large, computerized workgroups and meets the storage and networking requirements for massive, high-quality images."
The Linux operating system has gained popularity amongst film studios and postproduction facilities in Australia, Europe, and North America. Australia's largest postproduction company, The Omnilab Group, beta tested Toxik software running on Linux through an installation at The Lab Sydney.
Ian Johnson, general manager of The Omnilab Group's The Lab Sydney, says, " I can see Toxik becoming a major force in the film industry; the Linux-based version reinforces this because it provides a robust, open architecture that expands our future options. We're moving our render farm to Linux, so Toxik software running Linux would easily fit in. The software is built with the complexity of film file formats in mind and its collaborative workflow design is revolutionary." A render farm is a computer cluster used to speed the delivery of computer-generated imagery, typically for film and television visual effects, in its finished form.
Availability and Pricing
Autodesk anticipates that the Toxik software running on Linux will be available this winter. Toxik software running on the Windows operating system is currently available. North American suggested pricing for each Toxik creative seat with supporting collaboration infrastructure is $9,000 USD. For further information, visit www.discreet.com/products or contact Autodesk's Media & Entertainment Division at (800) 869-3504.
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