Autodesk Softimage 2011 gets CUDA and PhysX support

Posted on Wednesday, May 05 2010 @ 17:11 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
NVIDIA announced Autodesk's new Softimage 2011 digital content creation solution features support for NVIDIA CUDA and NVIDIA PhysX.
With 3D moving squarely into the mainstream, game developers and animators can now create more compelling and realistic imagery by utilizing the new Autodesk Softimage 2011 digital content creation solution, which integrates two key NVIDIA® technologies; the NVIDIA PhysX® Engine and NVIDIA CUDA™.

This latest release of Autodesk Softimage 3D modeling and animation software enables real-time simulations using NVIDIA PhysX—a powerful physics application programming interface (API), or ‘engine’, accelerated by NVIDIA Quadro® professional graphics processing units (GPUs)—and NVIDIA CUDA, the architecture behind NVIDIA GPUs. These improved simulations include the ability to create more realistic water-related visual effects, lifelike characters, and explosions that behave with exceptional realism.

“By integrating CUDA and PhysX technologies into the new release of Softimage, Autodesk has opened up a new world of creative options for content creation professionals,” said Jeff Brown, general manager, Professional Solutions Group, NVIDIA. “With Quadro professional graphics, artists using Softimage can now achieve a higher level of realism, by adding physical simulations to their work.”

Softimage includes the Interactive Creative Environment (ICE), a powerful platform from Autodesk which provides a range of custom tools and visual effects. ICE is designed to help artists explore creative ideas with greater ease without the need of complicated programming. When working with PhysX programming interface rigid bodies, ICE leverages the massively parallel processing power of NVIDIA GPUs to boost interactivity in Softimage 2011.

“The integration of Autodesk Softimage 2011 with PhysX results in one of the best production environments for game developers,” said Mark Schoennagel, senior 3D evangelist, Autodesk. “Softimage customers will be impressed by the ability to create more lifelike character animation and believable visual effects, now that NVIDIA’s CUDA architecture and PhysX capabilities are integrated in Softimage.”


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



Loading Comments