PixelPutty Animation System Version 2.0 now shipping for Power Macintosh Revised/Updated; Enhancements Include New Shading/Rendering, Improved Workflow And New Look & Feel; Customers Praise 2.0

Business Wire, Sept 16, 1997

TIBURON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 16, 1997--The VALIS Group, Inc. and Pixels today announced that version 2.0 of the PixelPutty Animation System is now shipping for Power Macintosh.

Version 2.0, a full-featured release, continues Pixel's development emphasis on creative workflow and artistic freedom.

New capabilities such as fully integrated texturing/rendering, improved look & feel, forward kinematics, and improved workflow push the limits of technology while maintaining a focus on spontaneous creativity.

"Version 2.0 is the realization of my original vision, a fully integrated animation, modeling and rendering system," said Andrew Bryant, founder and owner of Pixels. "The technology incorporated into version 2.0 is incredibly complex. The challenge was to ensure that the user interface enhances creativity and spontaneity. Version 2.0 does this."

Beta Testers Praise Version 2.0

"PixelPutty 2.0 offers modeling and animation tools found only in high-end SGI systems. PixelPutty's ShaderMaker subsystem is by far the most advanced and easy to use procedural shader creator I've ever seen. It offers features and effects that aren't in any other 3D animation package."

-- Matt Rhodes, Santa Barbara Studios

"PixelPutty 2.0 finally gives me what I've been trying to get out of every other Mac program since I started doing 3D... the ability to build and animate what ever I see in my head! With PP2.0 I can build and animate objects that until now needed an NT or SGI machine to deliver."

-- Chuck Carter (Myst)

"Looking for high-end 3d for the Mac? You've found it! PixelPutty is the most complete 3d package for the Mac. It's a Softimage-killer!"

-- Tony Naqvi, Carlton Television Services, London

"Finally! A well rounded Mac 3D package. Weighted IKs, NURBs modeling, and a shading language that's powerful AND easy to use (really!). I find myself turning to the tools in PixelPutty over my SGI."

-- Chris Bernardi, Micron Digital Imagery

"After years of working with ALIAS and SOFTIMAGE, here's a package that I'm comfortable working with on my Mac at home -- with all the strength of NURBS surfaces, texture mapping and rendering you'd expect from a high-end SGI package."

-- Scott Easley, Oddworld Inhabitants (Abe's Oddysee)

Future Plans

Version 2.0 is the first incarnation of PixelPutty to include technologies derived from "Opus" -- the code name for Pixels' next-generation animation system. Opus will be the first commercial product to incorporate procedural modeling, rendering and animation under one coherent interface. Opus will be compatible with existing PixelPutty resources, ensuring a graceful transition from previous versions. For more information on Opus, watch Pixels' Web site at http://www.pixels.net/ .

Pricing and Availability

Available for Power Macintosh, version 2.0 is fully optimized for the latest PowerPC RISC processors, including the 604e. The approximate price for the PixelPutty Animation System is $499 (U.S.). Upgrade pricing varies. Licensed users of the PixelPutty Animation System version 2.0 can license standalone PixelRender rendering seats with prices starting at approximately $299 (U.S.) per seat.

Priority technical support is available for $499. A studio version, which includes the PixelPutty Animation System version 2.0, PixelRender and unlimited priority technical support is available for $999. All products can be ordered directly from The VALIS Group or Pixels.

To order, visit the sales web page at: http://www.valisgroup.com/order.htm or http://www.pixels.net/sales.html .

Current owners of PP1.5.2 should contact The VALIS Group for upgrade information. Expect 7-14 days delivery from the order date.

Pixels Information

Founded in 1991, Pixels develops artist-friendly software for content creators in such fields as video, film, interactive game and CD-ROM production. Originally an animation studio, Pixels has a unique perspective on the market it serves. Additional information about Pixels can be found via the Internet at http://www.pixels.net/ .

The VALIS Group, Inc.

The VALIS Group specializes in producing freeform graphics and animation design products. In 1991, VALIS was the first company to commercialize and publish VG Shaders for Pixar's 3D Renderman products.

In 1993, VALIS introduced Rib-O-Matic, a post processing batch RIB editor for Macromedia Three-D users, PixelPutty Plug-In for Pixar's Showplace, Flo'Freeform Plasticity for Macintosh, and Metaflo 1.0, which received the MacUser 1993 Finalist Award for Best New Special Effects Product.

In 1994 VALIS introduced Movieflo' 1.0, which received the MacUser 1994 Finalist Award for Best New Special Effects Product, Flo' and Flo' Lite for Windows; and PixelPutty Solo for Macintosh/Power Macintosh, a powerful, standalone freeform organic 3D modeling application for MacRenderMan.

In 1995 Flo' 2.0 and PixelPutty Solo 1.5.2 received MacUser 1995 Finalist Awards. In 1996 Valis introduced Movieflo' 2.02, Metaflo' 2.0, VGLooks & VGShaders for Pixar's Typestry and Showplace and also received a second MacUser Finalist award for Movieflo 2.02.