SOFTIMAGE|XSI v.5.0 Now Available; Latest Version of 3-D Digital Character and Visual Effects Software Delivers Advanced Character Tools and Easy Migration Paths for Maya UsersTEWKSBURY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 26, 2005--Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID) today announced the worldwide availability of SOFTIMAGE^®|XSI^® version 5.0, the latest edition of the company's flagship 3-D animation software. Unveiled at the SIGGRAPH tradeshow in August, XSI v.5.0 software includes a wide range of powerful new features - including non-destructive character tools and a comprehensive set of migration tools for Maya users - all of which enable artists to meet today's demanding production deadlines while future-proofing their existing pipelines.

Kai Bovaird, who is currently executive director at Cause & F(x) Pictures, a Honolulu-based VFX shop working on season two of the hit television show Lost, and whose film credits include The Matrix: Reloaded, The Day After Tomorrow and X-Men, commented, "SOFTIMAGE|XSI is the most comprehensive 3-D package available on the market, and as our business continues to grow, I am confident that using this software package will continue to save us both time and money. We often train experienced artists to use XSI in our pipeline, and once they use the software, we find they are instantly hooked and never want to go back to using a competitive tool. With such an easy learning curve and new tools for migrating from Maya, cross-training our animators will be easier than ever."

Gareth Morgan, senior product manager for Softimage Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc., added, "Although Softimage was founded almost twenty-years ago, its mission remains the same today: develop the best digital tools for artists - by artists. SOFTIMAGE|XSI version 5.0 is a testament to that mission. We continue to focus on what the industry has asked us to deliver: intuitive, dependable tools that solve today's tough 3-D production challenges."

In addition to a broad range of new features, SOFTIMAGE|XSI v.5.0 includes the GATOR attribute transfer system for re-purposing properties and animation between models; native 64-bit support for XSI and mental ray^® 3.4 software to create and render extremely complex scenes, and a new gigapolygon core that leverages multi-processor and multi-core platforms with a revolutionary memory management system.

Pricing & Availability

SOFTIMAGE|XSI v.5.0 is available in the following configurations:

• SOFTIMAGE|XSI v.5.0 Foundation for $495 (USMSRP) from the Softimage website at www.softimage.com/store.
• SOFTIMAGE|XSI v.5.0 Essentials for $1,995 (USMSRP) from authorized Softimage resellers.
• SOFTIMAGE|XSI v.5.0 Advanced for $6,995 (USMSRP) from authorized Softimage resellers.

About SOFTIMAGE|XSI

SOFTIMAGE|XSI is a complete 3-D modeling and animation solution for the film, broadcast, post-production and interactive entertainment industries. SOFTIMAGE|XSI software is the creative engine behind the Avid Computer Graphics toolset, and an integral player in Avid's Make, Manage and Move Media^™ strategy. It is the industry's first 3-D nonlinear production environment providing artists the freedom to make professional computer graphics, 3-D animation, and visual effects - from major motion pictures to CG features and commercials, to video games. Softimage is proud to count amongst its customers: Troublemaker Studios, CafeFX, Giant Killer Robots, R!OT, The Mill, Stan Winston Studios, Pixel Liberation Front, La Maison, Hybride, Janimation, Quiet Man, PSYOP, Cinepix and Nerd Corps. For more information about SOFTIMAGE|XSI visit www.softimage.com.

About Avid Technology, Inc.

Avid Technology, Inc. is the world leader in digital nonlinear media creation, management, and distribution solutions, enabling film, video, audio, animation, games, and broadcast professionals to work more efficiently, productively, and creatively. For more information about the company's Oscar^®, Grammy^®, and Emmy^® award-winning products and services, please visit: www.avid.com.

^© 2005 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, system requirements, and availability are subject to change without notice. All prices are USMSRP for the U.S. and Canada only and are subject to change without notice. Contact your local Avid office or reseller for prices outside the U.S. and Canada. Avid, Digidesign, Film Composer, Pro Tools and Make, Manage and Move Media, SOFTIMAGE and XSI are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. 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. Digidesign, Avid's audio division, received an Oscar statuette representing the 2003 Scientific and Technical Award for the design, development, and implementation of its Pro Tools^® digital audio workstation. 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. mental images and mental ray are registered trademarks of mental images GmbH in the USA and other countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Avid Technology
Jennifer Goldfinch, 514-840-0387
jennifer_goldfinch@avid.com

SOURCE: Avid Technology