Softimage Unveils SOFTIMAGE|NET Community Site

Beta Content, Contacts and Collaborative Portal Designed to Grow SOFTIMAGE|XSI User Community

MONTRÉAL, February 18, 2008 – Softimage Co., a subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc., (Nasdaq: AVID) today revealed SOFTIMAGE|NET, its new community site, which will be maintained and operated by Softimage for 3D artists and enthusiasts who are currently using or learning SOFTIMAGE|XSI professional 3D modeling, animation, character creation and rendering software. The primary objective of SOFTIMAGE|NET is to engage and connect the worldwide community of XSI artists, technical directors and students with an interactive forum and framework that helps them succeed in their 3D education path or professional career.

The SOFTIMAGE|NET site is premiering as a public ‘beta’ release in order to grow organically and solicit constructive feedback from the existing XSI user community. Suggestions and opinions from the community will help Softimage develop and cultivate logical and useful formats, forums and content. Softimage plans to continually develop and fine tune SOFTIMAGE|NET even after the ‘beta’ cycle has finished.

Features and Forums offered on SOFTIMAGE|NET include:

• Key Areas:
  • Forums for all aspects of SOFTIMAGE|XSI software
  • User galleries for 3D artwork and animations
  • Content exchange for XSI scripts, add-ons, plug-ins and presets
  • Job forum and XSI talent bank—helping XSI artists and employers find each other
    
    
• Topic-based Message Forums will feature:
  • Help forums—XSI users can obtain help or give help to other users
  • Network with other professionals and XSI users globally
  • Connections with Softimage staff and developers directly
  • Showcase of XSI artwork for comments and critiques
  • Training access for beginners to advanced techniques
  • Job forum—users can post jobs or seek work
  • Centralized area with free add-ons, presets and scripts

“The SOFTIMAGE|NET site was created for the growing community of 3D artists to provide a centralized connecting point,” said Marc Stevens, general manager of Softimage and vice president of Avid Technology. “All members registered to SOFTIMAGE|NET will get access to special beginner-through-advanced training materials, along with a connection to professional studios that are searching for SOFTIMAGE|XSI 3D artists. Gallery pages on SOFTIMAGE|NET will provide an outlet where artists can post finished and unfinished or concept 3D artwork to engage the global network of XSI artists and enthusiasts for feedback, technical suggestions and encouragement.”

The SOFTIMAGE|NET community will be moderated by selected members of the global XSI community, as well as product managers, developers, engineers, designers and technical staff from Softimage. Ultimately, the community of members at SOFTIMAGE|NET will be responsible for self-moderation, with guidance, support and resources from Softimage internal staff.

Joining SOFTIMAGE|NET

The SOFTIMAGE|NET community is free for anyone to join—from seasoned 3D professionals to beginners who wish to explore 3D and learn about SOFTIMAGE|XSI software. To register, go to: http://community.softimage.com.

About Softimage Co.
Softimage Co., a subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc. provides intuitive, production proven tools that free 3D artists to create the world’s most compelling characters in the film, broadcast, post-production and games industries. Its flagship product, SOFTIMAGE|XSI is the most complete and intuitive character animation solution available. Easily integrated into any CG production pipeline, XSI software enables 3D artists to create the most lifelike character performances. SOFTIMAGE|FACE ROBOT is the first commercial toolset that accelerates facial animation that empowers 3D artists to create, refine and repurpose high-quality, lifelike facial animation in less time than traditional solutions. For more information about Softimage, please visit www.softimage.com.

About Avid Technology, Inc.
Avid is a worldwide leader in tools for film, video, audio, 3D animation, gaming and broadcast professionals – as well as for home audio and video enthusiasts. Avid professional and consumer brands include Avid, Digidesign, M-Audio, Pinnacle Systems, Sibelius, Softimage and Sundance Digital. The vast majority of primetime television shows, feature films, commercials and chart-topping music hits are made using one or more Avid products. Whether used by seasoned professionals or beginning students, Avid’s products and services enable customers to work more efficiently, productively and creatively. Avid received an Oscar® statuette representing the 1998 Scientific and Technical Award for the concept, design, and engineering of the Avid® Film Composer® system for motion picture editing. For more information about the Company’s Oscar, Grammy® and Emmy® award-winning products and services, visit www.avid.com.

© 2008 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, system requirements, and availability are subject to change without notice. Avid, Digidesign, Film Composer, M-Audio, Pinnacle Systems, Sibelius, Sundance Digital, Softimage, Alienbrain, Face Robot, CAT, and XSI are trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Oscar is a trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Emmy is a registered trademark of ATAS/NATAS. Grammy is a trademark of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.