Softimage 3D Windows: The Rise and Fall of a Legendary Animation Software

In 1994, Microsoft acquired Softimage, a pioneering company in the field of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-generated imagery (CGI). This marked a significant milestone in the history of animation software, as Softimage became one of the first high-end programs to port from the SGI (IRIX) platform to Windows NT. The Softimage Creative Environment, later renamed Softimage|3D, revolutionized the industry with its groundbreaking features such as Inverse Kinematics and other animation breakthroughs.

Softimage|3D was a popular animation system used in many feature films, including those produced by major studios like Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks. The software's rendering system boasted complete support for customized render passes, making it one of the most powerful tools available at the time. Additionally, Softimage|3D included an integrated compositing system, allowing artists to seamlessly combine multiple elements into a single image.

In 2015, Avid announced that the upcoming release of Softimage would be its last, marking the end of an era in the animation software industry. Despite this setback, Softimage's legacy lives on through XSI (Softimage|XSI), a high-end 3D animation and rendering software developed by the company.

XSI is designed to provide artists with unparalleled creative control, featuring a non-linear animation system that allows for seamless blending and transitioning between different riggings, constraints, expressions, and externally referenced models. The software's modeling capabilities are also highly advanced, with strong support for polygons, subdivision surfaces, and NURBS (non-uniform rational B-spline) functionality.

Although Softimage lost significant market share to Maya during the years it was developing XSI, the company has recently regained some ground as XSI has shaped up as a formidable competitor. With its impressive feature set and user-friendly interface, XSI is poised to become a major player in the high-end 3D animation software market.

In conclusion, Softimage|3D Windows played a significant role in shaping the animation industry, with its innovative features and powerful rendering capabilities making it a staple for many filmmakers. Although its development has come to an end, the legacy of Softimage lives on through XSI, a testament to the company's commitment to pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation.

Softimage 3d windows