SAN RAFAEL, Calif., April 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. , today launched Autodesk Toxik 2007, the latest version of its collaborative digital compositing software for feature film production. The software's robust creative toolset helps film studios and post-production facilities deliver vivid, high-resolution imagery with ease. Autodesk Toxik 2007 will be showcased at the National Association of Broadcasters tradeshow in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 24-27 at Autodesk Booth #SL3719.

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Autodesk Toxik was first introduced one year ago. Autodesk Toxik 2007 offers a range of new capabilities, including a Paint system that allows interactive painting of high-resolution, high-dynamic-range imagery (HDRI). HDRI is growing in popularity because it contains extensive color and lighting information, ranging from direct sunlight to the deepest shadows. This gives digital artists more creative options than traditional digital imagery.

Mark Cass, business development director at Escape Studios, observed: "It's only a matter of time before the computer graphics community realizes what Autodesk has achieved with Toxik. Drawing on its compositing heritage and looking very much to the future, Autodesk has created a product that is truly 'next-generation' rather than one that just claims to be. With a solid creative toolset, including the new Paint feature in Toxik 2007, Autodesk is clearly positioning itself to offer the computer graphics industry an effective and superior suite of tools."

The new Paint feature in Autodesk Toxik 2007 simplifies many of the common tasks faced by digital artists, such as the removal of unwanted objects -- like wires and rigs -- from a scene, retouching and digital matte painting. The Paint feature also increases accuracy and productivity by allowing artists to view downstream composites in context.

Other new features in Autodesk Toxik 2007 include increased interoperability with other Autodesk creative systems, optimized support for AMD processors in addition to Intel, and improvements to the Toxik animation system. Autodesk Toxik 2007 also contains the Master Keyer extension tools, shipped to Autodesk Toxik subscription holders in March 2006. These tools simplify complex keying tasks, improve keying and tracking precision, and allow artists to refine mattes and masks faster and with greater control. The software also automates several administrative and data management tasks. More information about key new features in Autodesk Toxik 2007 can be found at http://www.autodesk.com/toxik.

Pricing and Availability

Autodesk anticipates that Autodesk Toxik 2007 will begin shipping worldwide in summer 2006 with support for both Linux and Microsoft Windows operating systems. North American suggested retail pricing for one Toxik creative seat with one year of subscription is $9,000 USD. For further information visit http://www.autodesk.com/products or contact Autodesk's Media & Entertainment Division at 800-869-3504.

About Autodesk Toxik

The first version of Autodesk Toxik was launched in March 2005. Autodesk Toxik digital compositing software is used to create feature film visual effects. Toxik software is ideal for multi-artist film studio and post- production pipelines. Designed with a creative user in mind, Toxik image processing capabilities are built around its Ultra-High Resolution Interaction and High Dynamic Range Imagery core, allowing users to work interactively and intuitively with virtually any visual media, regardless of bit-depth or image size. Toxik software also offers integrated asset tracking, collaboration and versioning capabilities that fully automate the complex task of tracking shot and element iterations while providing a complete history of how any shot in a project progressed from inception to final output. For more information, visit http://www.autodesk.com/toxik.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is wholly focused on ensuring that great ideas are turned into reality. With seven million users, Autodesk is the world's leading software and services company for the building, manufacturing, infrastructure, media and entertainment and wireless data services fields. Autodesk's solutions help customers create, manage and share their data and digital assets more effectively. As a result, customers turn ideas into competitive advantage by becoming more productive, streamlining project efficiency and maximizing profits.

Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California. For additional information about Autodesk, please visit http://www.autodesk.com/.

NOTE: Autodesk and Toxik are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Occasionally, Autodesk makes statements regarding planned or future development efforts for our existing or new products and services. These statements are not intended to be a promise or guarantee of future delivery of products, services, or features but merely reflect our current plans, which may change. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect any change in circumstances, after the statements are made.

Contact: Brittany Bonhomme, 514-954-7419

Email: brittany.bonhomme@autodesk.com

CONTACT: Brittany Bonhomme of Autodesk, Inc., +1-514-954-7419, or
brittany.bonhomme@autodesk.com

Web site: http://www.autodesk.com/