News | April 10, 2001

Discreet Announces 3ds max Exporter for Macromedia Director 8.5 Shockwave Studio—Advancing 3D Content on the Web

Source: Discreet
Award-winning animation and modeling software package brings 3D to most pervasive Web platforms

Discreet, a division of Autodesk, Inc., announced today from the Macromedia User Conference (UCON) in New York, another key component of its 3D Web initiative—support for 3ds max ™ will ship with Macromedia ® Director ® 8.5 Shockwave ® Studio. With this integrated exporter, artists will be able to transfer 3D content directly from 3ds max into the Director 8.5 authoring environment for deployment in the Shockwave format. 3ds max is a complete 3D modeling and animation system that is ideal for Web content creation with extended support for both Shockwave and Macromedia Flash ™ media formats.

3ds max ™ 4, the latest version of 3ds max, the world's best-selling 3D animation platform, is the 3D content creation tool of choice for Web professionals and offers its users tight integration with Director 8.5. The 3ds max Shockwave exporter includes support for rich character animation from character studio ® , dynamic physics from reactor ™ and MultiRes—the same multi-resolution mesh technology from Intel used in Shockwave 3D that gives Web artists the ability to preview streaming and level of detail results directly within 3ds max.

"With the Shockwave Player already in use by more than 200 million Web users, we are in a unique position to improve online entertainment, e-merchandising and learning experiences by adding 3D," said Peter Ryce, senior director of product marketing, Macromedia. "With the platform in place, we needed to integrate Macromedia Director 8.5 with 3D tools that deliver the highest quality experience for developers and artists; the Discreet 3ds max tool fit the bill perfectly with its open technology platform and existing base of content creators."

"Interactive 3D animation provides developers and Web viewers expanded opportunities to experience 3D on the Web—delivered in a scalable format, at minimum bandwidth," said Phillip Miller, senior director of software products at Discreet. "With authoring and playback solutions jointly developed by Macromedia and Intel, and a strong bridge to Discreet's leading 3D content creation tools, artists can now deliver the rich Web experiences that result in increased online sales, site stickiness and customer satisfaction."

Macromedia User Conference
Discreet is demonstrating 3ds max 4 at the Macromedia User Conference (UCON 2001), Partner Pavilion Booth #2005, at the New York Hilton, Tuesday, April 10 – Thursday, April 12. In addition, Discreet is showcasing new tools that enhance 3D Web design.

Discreet, 10 Duke Street, Montreal, PQ H3C 2L7. Tel: 514-393-1616; Fax: 514-393-0110.