Autodesk to acquire Skymatter
ConvergenceAsia staff
10/08/2007

Design software company Autodesk has signed a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all the assets of Skymatter, the New Zealand-based developer of Mudbox 3D modeling software.

The acquisition will augment Autodesk's offering for the film, television and game market segments, while providing additional growth opportunities for other design disciplines.

Entertainment and design markets are demanding more integrated technology workflows, as well as increased realism and sophistication, said Marc Petit, senior vice president, Autodesk Media & Entertainment.

In order to create advanced digital characters and models, 3D artists are relying on Skymatter's Mudbox software, along with Autodesk's 3D solutions, he said.

Mudbox allows users to sculpt organic shapes in 3D space with brushlike tools, and often 3D assets created in Mudbox are imported into Autodesk 3ds Max and Autodesk Maya software for texturing, rigging, animation and final rendering.

By acquiring Skymatter, said Petit, Autodesk will be able to offer a more complete solution for film, television and game pipelines, as well as new workflows for other design disciplines, such as automotive and industrial design.

Mudbox is used by leading visual effects and game development companies, including Weta Digital, Blur Studio, Cinesite, Epic Games, Pandemic Studios and The Orphanage. The software has shaped photorealistic creatures for the blockbuster film King Kong, as well as upcoming films The Golden Compass, Fred Claus and Inkheart.

Skymatter founders Andrew Camenisch, Dave Cardwell and Tibor Madjar will join Autodesk's Media & Entertainment business. Autodesk anticipates that the transaction will close in the next two months.

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