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As well as announcing the completion of its acquisition of French AI specialist Kynogon, 3ds Max and Maya vendor Autodesk has confirmed another company buy – this time swooping for Realviz and its image-based content creation software.
Founded in 1998 and also HQ’d in France, Realviz provides technology that creates 3D assets from 2D stills which can then be used for panoramic photography, image-based modelling, match moving and optical motion capture.
Realviz boasts clients from the games industry and beyond, including EA, Activision, NASA, Daimler Chrysler, Sony Pictures Imageworks and Warner Brothers Animation.
“Realviz’s technology bridges 2D and 3D, linking the virtual and real worlds. 3D models can be created from simple 2D images, and virtual environments can be built from conventional photographs,” explained Amar Hanspal, senior vice president, Autodesk Platform Solutions and Emerging Business.
“Realviz’s technology is complementary to Autodesk’s modelling, visual effects and animation products. It will enable us to increase the use of 3D technology across many industries, including architecture, film, broadcast and game development.”
Autodesk also acquired New Zeland-based Skymatter and its Mudbox sculpting tool last year. As well as 3ds Max and Maya Autodesk’s other games-relevant tools include MotionBuilder and it is responsible for the .FBX file format.
