![]() ![]() "They all have their deficencies as far as technology goes. "We're actively looking at all candidates," says Hearsum. But this appears to have done little in the way of reassuring users, with the Glassworks team, wondering what software, and, more importantly, software supplier is best for their future. Obviously aware of the disruption that the decision will cause, Autodesk has offered no-cost options to migrate to 3ds Max or Maya for all Softimage subscription customers. Pragmatism may lead us to compromise, however, but I wouldn't want to put a name on it yet." There is no obvious leading 3D candidate from a technological point of view, we already had the best tool for the job. ![]() We'd like a longer period than two years to transition. "I can't tell you exactly how it will affect us yet," he explains. "These are very complex programs, which take years of true dedication to master."įor Hearsum and the team at Glassworks, the future is also uncertain. "Changing 3D software is not like changing from, say, a word processor to another," he tells us. "One spends 20 years, in my case, working with this tool every day, trying to be the most productive you can be, delivering work to deadlines, to then suddenly be told you can no longer use it is frustrating. So, the real question is, to what extent is this really going to affect Softimage users? Has their stream of income just been cut off? Or will the migration to a different product be a simple one? For Rui Santos, the decision will affect him deeply. Its no coincidence that all the finalists in the recent British Animation Awards (TV commercials) did their work in Softimage." Full effects "It's better for the work that we do and the sector we are in. "One of the reasons we have been able to do that, apart from the deep talent of our crew is, I believe, because of the software that we chose," Hearsum comments in his letter. This optimism lead a small but successful Glassworks to apply Softimage as it's primary production tool - a decision that Hearsum believes has aided them in competing with some of London's biggest animation and VFX vendors for the last 20 years. This was truly an elegant, efficient and an innovative piece of software. So while suspicious we were also optimistic." How could they just bin it? They still have promotional videos on their website outlining the ongoing future of Softimage at the 2014 version. "What kept those thoughts at bay was the knowledge that this was truly an elegant, efficient and, with ICE, an innovative piece of software. "It seemed a bizarre and somewhat monopolistic move and the feeling, some called it paranoid, that they bought it to kill it was always lurking in the back of your mind. "The suspicion in the SI community, since Autodesk bought Softimage, was always that they had some underhand intentions rather than having our needs at the centre of their plans," he tells us. And letters like Alastair's and replies like mine are the mondern day equivalent of the peasants marching upon the castle with flames aloft." Uneasy feelingsĪlthough the news has been a shock to many, Hearsum admitted feelings of unease about the software's future when Autodesk first aquired Softimage from Avid back in 2008. It's like deciding to let us all know that Catholicism will end in 2016 and you should look to turn towards Islam, Budhism or any of our other religions and there will be a fee. "To many users, their chosen software is like a religion to them. Among the comments to his words was this from Australian-based Softimage user Scotty Wilcox: "It is without doubt that this decision and announcement has brought on a flood of unrest from the user base. ![]() Community supportįor the Softimage community, however, this has offered little comfort, which is evident in Hearsum's letter and the people reading it. In response to the annoucement, senior industry marketing manager for Autodesk Maurice Patel also posted this update to the Softimage transition plan on Autodesk's online community site AREA. The official Autodesk announcement offers this by way of explanation: "Although this decision is a difficult one, we do believe that by focusing our development efforts, we can better serve the needs of the media and entertainment industry and provide customers with better products, faster." We contacted Autodesk in regards to this matter, and are currently awaiting a response. ![]()
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