Autodesk Launches New Versions of Visual Effects and Finishing Systems

Includes New Creative Tools, Expanded Format Support and Workflow Enhancements

LAS VEGAS, April 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc.
(Nasdaq: ADSK) today announced the 2009 releases of the Autodesk Inferno,
Autodesk Flame and Autodesk Flint software for visual effects systems, and
the Autodesk Smoke software finishing system. The company also announced
Extension 1 for Autodesk Toxik 2008 software for digital compositing. The
releases will be showcased at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
2008 conference in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 14-17, 2008 at the Autodesk
booth SL1420.
Autodesk's visual effects and finishing systems have been used to create
numerous blockbuster films, including all three Oscar-nominated movies for
Best Visual Effects - The Golden Compass, Transformers and Pirates of the
Caribbean 3. Autodesk solutions have also been used to create Emmy-award
winning television programs such as Prison Break, Grey's Anatomy, Pushing
Daisies, and many of this year's Super Bowl commercials such as Coca-Cola's
It's Mine, Budweiser's Clydesdale Team and Federal Express' Carrier Pigeons.
"Viewers are demanding increasing visual sophistication," said Stig
Gruman, Digital Entertainment Group vice president, Autodesk Media &
Entertainment. "In order to meet this demand, our customers rely on Autodesk
solutions to differentiate themselves by delivering high-value content and
extreme productivity. With our 2009 releases, we are introducing additional
creative capabilities and new visual effects workflows, as well as expanded
compressed media support at price points that make our solutions more
accessible to mid-range post-production facilities and broadcasters."
New Feature Highlights in Inferno 2009, Flame 2009 and Flint 2009
The 2009 releases of Autodesk's visual effects systems provide digital
artists with the reliable, flexible and interactive toolsets required to stay
ahead of the competition. New features and enhancements include:
-- New creative tools such as high-quality blur and glow tools,
enhancements to the 3D tracking toolset for faster match moving, and
auto-stabilization capabilities
-- Expanded format support, including the ability to input Panasonic P2
MXF files and common professional Quicktime codecs
-- Timeline enhancements including support for the Smoke SoftFX in a
multi-layer timeline
-- Enhancements to the OpenEXR workflow, allowing artists to perform
compositing operations using high dynamic range files from
applications such as Autodesk Maya 3D animation software and Autodesk
Toxik software
-- New productivity and troubleshooting tools, such as WiretapCentral,
which allows users to browse the Autodesk systems' clip libraries and
encode media using a network-connected web browser

New Feature Highlights in Smoke 2009
Autodesk Smoke 2009 delivers an industry-leading creative toolset,
versatile conform capabilities and production-proven performance. New features
and enhancements in Smoke 2009 include:
-- A new tree-based compositing workflow, called Batch FX, which is
designed to provide increased visual effects capabilities by marrying
the Smoke system's editorial timeline with the powerful 3D compositing
environment*
-- Expanded format support, including the ability to input Panasonic P2
MXF files and common professional Quicktime codecs
-- Productivity and troubleshooting tools, such as WiretapCentral
(described above)

New Feature Highlights in Toxik 2008 Extension 1
Autodesk Toxik 2008 Extension 1 software delivers user-requested visual
effects functionality. This extension release includes:
-- A Warp Image tool, which delivers advanced, nonlinear warping of an
image with precise user-control over transformations
-- Pixel Expression Language (PXL), a new programming language that
allows compositors to quickly create and customize many of the most
commonly applied effects, such as warping, blur, transitions, and more
-- Support for video previewing, which streamlines the compositing
workflow by enabling artists to make informed color decisions

For a complete list of new features and enhancements in the 2009 versions
of Inferno, Flame, Flint and Smoke, as well as Autodesk Toxik 2008 Extension
1, visit http://www.autodesk.com/me.
Product Availability and Pricing
Autodesk anticipates that the 2009 releases of Inferno, Flame, Flint and
Smoke will be available in April 2008. Autodesk Toxik Subscription will be
available in Spring 2008 and Autodesk Toxik 2008 Extension 1 will be available
to members of Autodesk Subscription for Toxik with a valid subscription
contract.
Autodesk's "Explore Your Options" campaign at NAB introduces its 2009
releases to professionals who are not familiar with Autodesk solutions, and
are interested in exploring affordable, innovative toolsets. From April 1 to
July 21, 2008, promotional pricing starts at 64,000 USD** for a turnkey Smoke
HD system, including storage. Promotional pricing is also available for Smoke
2K, Flame and Flint HD systems.
* Only available in Smoke 2K.
** International pricing may vary.

About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the
manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets.
Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the
broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to help
customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies
rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world
performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance
quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk,
visit http://www.autodesk.com.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, Flame, Flint, Inferno, Maya, Smoke, Toxik and
WiretapCentral are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk,
Inc./Autodesk Canada Co., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand
names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders.
Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at
any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical
errors that may appear in this document.
(C) 2008 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

http://www.autodesk.com/inferno
http://www.autodesk.com/flame
http://www.autodesk.com/flint
http://www.autodesk.com/smoke
http://www.autodesk.com/toxik
http://www.nabshow.com/

Contacts: Nicolina Servello, 514.954.2838 / Karen Raz, 310.450.1482
Email: nicolina.servello@autodesk.com / karen@razpr.com

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050415/SFF034LOGO)

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.

Nicolina Servello of Autodesk, Inc., +1-514-954-2838,
nicolina.servello@autodesk.com; Karen Raz, +1-310-450-1482, karen@razpr.com,
for Autodesk, Inc.