Architosh Staff ([email protected])

8 Mar 2002

 

Mac3D Tidbits: Alias/Wavefront in danger?, Strata 3Dpro info

Is Maya in Danger?

As reported yesterday, Alias/Wavefront, the makers of the vastly popular Maya software, has closed its Santa Barbara and Seattle area development offices. In addition the company has lost its Santa Barbara-based co-founder, Mark Sylvester (co-founder of Wavefront). Recent rumblings in the 3D industry and Alias's own marketing moves have hinted that the SGI subsidiary may be in serious financial trouble and without the support of an already beleagured SGI could be up for a sale or partial sale.

Could Mac users lose Maya?

Apparently the question has not been lost on Apple Corporate, which not too long ago hosted a Studio Summit for major 3D hollywood effects houses. Insiders believe the Mac maker is secretly taking major steps to advance its position in the highend 3D modeling, rendering and animation markets. Whether Apple would buy Alias/Wavefront just to save Maya is not known.

Apple Preping for Major Assault?

As has been noted here in the past, Apple is rumored to have significant technologies in the pike which will cement its position in the 3D market across a wide segment of disciplines, but with a particular focus on Hollywood studio effects houses. What will constitute this this assault is not yet clear but with Hollywood's natural affection for Apple and Steve Jobs Pixar and ILM connections expect it to be something big. As for Maya and Alias, we will have to wait and see.

Strata 3Dpro Review

Digital Producer Magazine online has a review of Strata 3Dpro, a cross-platform midrange 3D application. The review points out Strata's new Web-oriented 3D features. To learn more go here (and be prepared to wait a little, their site is wicked slow).

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