Softimage
Softimage, also known as Softimage|XSI, was a 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software package originally developed by Softimage Co., Ltd. Here's an in-depth look at its history, features, and context:
History
- Softimage was founded in 1986 by Daniel Langlois, a Canadian entrepreneur, in Montreal, Canada.
- The first version of the software, known as Creative Environment, was released in 1988. It was designed for use on Silicon Graphics workstations.
- In 1994, Softimage released Softimage|3D, which gained popularity in the film and television industry for its advanced features in character animation.
- Microsoft acquired Softimage in 1994, and the software was rebranded as Softimage|DS for digital studio applications.
- In 1998, Softimage|XSI was introduced, focusing on providing a comprehensive solution for 3D modeling, animation, and visual effects.
- Microsoft sold Softimage to Avid Technology in 2008. Under Avid, Softimage continued to evolve, but its development was discontinued in 2014.
- Autodesk, which had acquired Maya, another 3D software, offered maintenance support for Softimage until April 2018.
Features
- Modeling: Softimage provided advanced polygon and NURBS modeling tools, including subdivision surfaces, which were particularly useful for organic modeling.
- Animation: Known for its character animation capabilities, it included tools like Facial Animation and Crowd Simulation. Its animation system was highly flexible with features like keyframing, path animation, and procedural animation.
- Rendering: While Softimage had its own renderer, it was also compatible with external renderers like mental ray and Arnold Renderer.
- Integration: It supported integration with other software through scripting languages like Python and C++, allowing for extensive customization and pipeline integration.
- User Interface: The interface was designed to be user-friendly with a focus on workflow efficiency, featuring a customizable layout and a node-based compositing system.
Context
Softimage played a pivotal role in several landmark films and television series, including:
- "Titanic" (1997) - Used for digital water effects and character animation.
- "The Matrix" trilogy - Notably for bullet time effects and digital doubles.
- "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" - For creature animation and digital environments.
Its discontinuation was met with disappointment from its user base, as it was known for its intuitive animation tools, especially in the realm of character animation where it was often preferred over competitors due to its specialized features.
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