Softimage
Softimage, also known as Softimage|3D or XSI (X-Softimage), was a 3D computer graphics application developed by Softimage Co., which was later acquired by Microsoft and then by Autodesk. Here is an in-depth look at its history, features, and impact:
History
- Foundation: Softimage was originally founded in 1986 by Daniel Langlois in Montreal, Canada. It quickly became a pioneer in the field of 3D animation software.
- Early Success: The software gained prominence in the early 1990s with its use in the film Jurassic Park for creating realistic digital dinosaurs.
- Acquisitions:
- In 1994, Microsoft acquired Softimage to expand its multimedia offerings, renaming it to Softimage|3D.
- In 1998, Avid Technology bought Softimage from Microsoft, leading to the development of Softimage|DS for digital film editing and post-production.
- Finally, in 2008, Autodesk purchased Softimage, integrating it into their suite of digital media creation tools.
- Discontinuation: Autodesk announced the end of development for Softimage in 2014, with the last version released being Softimage 2015. Support was officially discontinued in 2017.
Features
- Modeling: Softimage offered advanced polygonal, NURBS, and subdivision surface modeling tools.
- Animation: Known for its powerful animation tools, including keyframe animation, procedural animation, and character rigging.
- Rendering: Initially, it used its own renderer, but integration with external renderers like mental ray was also supported.
- Scripting: The software supported scripting through Python and its own scripting language, JScript, which allowed for extensive customization and automation.
- Visual Effects: Softimage was renowned for its capabilities in visual effects, especially particle systems and dynamics.
Impact and Legacy
- Film and Television: Softimage was used in many blockbuster films and TV shows, contributing to the evolution of visual effects in cinema.
- Game Development: Its adoption in the gaming industry for creating assets and animations helped define the look of many video games.
- Community and Plugins: A vibrant community of users and developers created numerous plugins, extending the software's capabilities significantly.
- Transition to Other Software: After its discontinuation, many users transitioned to other Autodesk products like Maya or 3ds Max, taking with them the knowledge and techniques developed in Softimage.
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