Microsoft Corp’s SoftImage Inc has opened up the market for its three-dimensional modeling and animation software, Microsoft SoftImage 3D, by launching a version for Windows NT (CI No 2,831). The software, which traditionally ran on Silicon Graphics Inc workstations under the Irix Unix operating system, will now run on any personal computer supporting NT. Montreal-based SoftImage founder Daniel Langolois said the NT system has all the functionality of the Unix-based system, but enables users to choose much lower cost hardware as an option. He insisted that his aim was not to knock Silicon Graphics, but simply to open up choice for the users, and to enable more animators to use SoftImage’s three-dimensional animation software. Similarly, he insists that the company will continue to support and enhance the software for both NT and Silicon Graphics systems. The company’s software has been used in the creation of effects in such films as Jurassic Park, The Mask, Jumanji and Casper. It is also used for advertising commercials and interactive games such as Virtual Fighter and Daytona. Beta user Psygnosis Ltd, a three-dimensional games company, and Jurassic Park makers Industrial Light & Magic Inc said the NT version is almost identical from a user point of view, and for some jobs such as batch rendering, the NT version actually runs quicker. They also claim that the cheaper hardware available for NT means that they can afford to train new animators and increase staff at a much lower cost than before. SoftImage has started a certified hardware manufacturer program, which so far includes Digital Equipment Corp, Integraph Computer Systems Corp and NeTpower Corp, but the firm said it will be talking to more than 20 hardware suppliers. The software requires Windows NT 3.51 with Service Pack 2, a minimum of 64Mb of memory, 1Gb hard disk and a supported OpenGL graphics accelerator board. SoftImage 3D for Windows NT is available now for around #6,500 from value-added resellers. SoftImage is offering a special bundled price starting from #15,000 including hardware, monitor and the SoftImage 3D software for NT until February 29.
