Autodesk Completes Acquisition of REALVIZ

On May 7, 2008, Autodesk, Inc. announced that it has acquired substantially all of the assets of REALVIZ S.A., a developer of image-based content creation software. This acquisition extends Autodesk’s leadership in 2D and 3D design innovation by adding complementary technology and products to Autodesk’s modeling, visual effects and animation products. With the addition of REALVIZ technology, Autodesk will be able to provide a simple and efficient way to combine the worlds of photo imaging and 2D to create 3D models and visual effects.

REALVIZ is headquartered in Sophia Antipolis, France, with satellite sales offices in Los Angeles, London and Paris. REALVIZ develops solutions for architecture, film, broadcast and gaming. REALVIZ technology is also used for digital imaging in many other fields, such as professional photography, multimedia, real estate and forensics.

The acquisition of REALVIZ extends Autodesk’s leadership in 2D and 3D design innovation with technology and products that are complementary to Autodesk’s modeling, visual effects and animation products. They will enable Autodesk to make 3D technology more ubiquitous, through the creation of 3D models from simple 2D images, and by creating virtual environments from conventional photographs. REALVIZ technology extracts 3D information from pictures and/or videos, which has numerous applications throughout the various industries served by Autodesk.

REALVIZ technology bridges 2D and 3D and links the virtual and real worlds, providing efficient ways to create 3D content and visual effects. It enables 2D and 3D artists to tackle complex digital imaging projects, for example:
• Architects can easily place their building in a site by extracting 3D camera information from site pictures, and even extract accurate measurements from a set of pictures of an existing building
• Post-production videographers can automatically track and reconstruct full 3D camera moves from a video clip
• Motion from characters or objects can be extracted from a scene shot from several angles
• Facial expressions can be captured from several camera shots
• Designers and photographers can assemble 2D and 3D panoramas by stitching photos together seamlessly

REALVIZ’s products have broad appeal, with clients across numerous industries – including architecture, film, broadcast and games. REALVIZ technology is also used for digital imaging in many other fields, such as professional photography, multimedia, real estate and forensics.

Clients include Boeing, NASA, Daimler Chrysler, Cinesite, Framestore CFC, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Warner Brothers Animation, Electronic Arts and Activision. REALVIZ technology has been used to create blockbuster film visual effects for numerous films, including Superman Returns, Zodiac, The Host, Children of Men, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Sin City and The Day After Tomorrow.

REALVIZ offers advanced technologies that benefit customers across a diverse set of industries. Bridging the 2D and 3D worlds, REALVIZ products enable 2D and 3D artists to easily tackle complex digital imaging projects, through the creation of 3D models from simple 2D images, and by creating virtual environments from conventional photographs.

In addition, REALVIZ technologies will accelerate product innovation for existing Autodesk products. Autodesk customers will also benefit from the addition of a strong, talented engineering team with deep expertise in visual graphics and image processing.

Autodesk, ImageModeler, Matchmover, Movimento, REALVIZ, Retimer, Stitcher, StoryViz and VTour are a registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. in the USA and other countries.  All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders.
© 2008 Autodesk, Inc.  All rights reserved.