CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive

October 27, 2004

Implementation Investments

Maya To Serve As Chief Animation Software For Lucasfilm Animation Singapore

Alias® announced that its Maya® software has been chosen as the chief 3D animation technology at Lucasfilm Animation Singapore. The animation studio, which opened today, is gearing up to produce digital animated content - including films and television for global audiences. The choice of Maya not only gives the company access to world-leading 3D modeling, animation and visual effects technology, it assists them in drawing top animation talent to their facility.

When Lucasfilm decision-makers - such as Chief Technology Officer, Cliff Plumer - began the process of determining the new facility's animation infrastructure, their goal was to find robust products that could handle the demanding requirements of feature film and television production. Says Plumer: "We needed a 3D solution with a proven track record and solid user base. We were also looking for the software that would give our animators the greatest possible amount of creative flexibility. Maya was the obvious choice."

One of the first projects the new facility plans to tackle using Maya software is a fully animated television series, based on the Star Wars® universe. As the core animation software at the facility, Maya will be used for all of the modeling and character animation in each episode.

Attracting the World's Best Animators

In addition to the technical benefits that Maya brings to projects, the software's ability to attract top animation talent was another key selling feature for Lucasfilm. Rob Coleman, animation and development director at Lucasfilm Animation Singapore commented: "One of the benefits of choosing Maya is the enormous talent base using the software. It is wonderful to know that we can find Maya animators and technical directors in the United States, Canada, Singapore, and the rest of the world. Maya is highly regarded in the world-wide animation community; so, between the draw of the software and the appeal of the Lucasfilm name, we've already been able to attract some top talent."

Lucasfilm Animation Singapore will be continuing to recruit experienced Maya artists in the coming months.

Alias and Lucasfilm

Alias software has been helping Lucasfilm Ltd. to create digital content for blockbuster projects since 1989 when their renowned California-based special effects division, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) was working on The Abyss. Other notable Lucasfilm projects that have been fueled by Alias technology include Terminator II: Judgment Day, Jurassic Park®, The Mask, Perfect Storm, Pearl Harbor and Star Wars Episodes: I, II and III.

Maya is used by all of the Lucasfilm divisions creating digital visual content: Lucasfilm Animation Singapore, ILM, and LucasArts - the company's electronic games division.

 

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