AutoDesk is buying out Alias (Maya)

[f700es]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/051004/sftu074.html?.v=30

color me shocked! So now Maya and 3D Max will be under the same roof!

[CADTutor]

Wow! First Adobe buys Macromedia and now Autodesk buys Alias. What next? Autodesk buys Bentley?

That is amazing news and is likely to see MAX and Maya merged into a single product in the future (I would guess) although I can't see either user base being happy about that. Financially, it makes sense for Autodesk to buy out their nearest rival but what are they going to do with it?

[gcp310]

Sounds like Autodesk are up to old tricks again. Like they did with Revit a few years back

G

[Squirreldip]

Autodesk buys Bentley?

Wouldn't that be lovely!

Interesting problem here... The Province of Alberta is starting to request that all CAD files be provided in MicroStation format... This is a tough one to swallow as most consultants that I know of work either mostly or entirely in AutoCAD.

My argument is that if you check with the Bently guys they say that .dwg is a native format for MicroStation. If native then no translation is necessary and therefore .dwg is a MicroStation format.

Province is using v7 of MicroStation and not buying my argument...

So... How can the Province demand that I use an old version of MicroStation? If I buy the current version then I can use .dwg. - If I can use .dwg then I can use AutoCAD... Bit of a Catch-22...

[CADTutor]

More news on the merger. At the University of Greenwich, we use both MAX and Maya so we watch with interest:

Dear Alias Customer,

Today Autodesk and Alias announced the signing of a definitive agreement for Autodesk to acquire Alias.

Alias is a leading developer of 3D graphics technology, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Alias develops and delivers software and services for film and video, interactive games, media and the Web. It also develops software and services for consumer products, industrial design, automotive, architecture and visualization customers.

With more than six million users, Autodesk is the world's leading software and services company for the manufacturing, infrastructure, building, digital media and wireless data services fields. Autodesk’s solutions help customers to create, manage and share their digital assets more effectively. The acquisition of Alias will continue to round out our product lines across industry segments.

As many of you are aware, in the media and entertainment industry, most leading film studios, game developers and high-end visual effects companies use Alias’ Maya®, MotionBuilder® and FBX® software. Most also use Autodesk’s complementary Inferno®, Flame®, Lustre® and 3ds Max® products. The most demanding industrial designers in the world use Alias’ StudioTools™, primarily in the automotive and consumer products segments. Bringing this technology to Autodesk will strengthen the manufacturing business by integrating conceptual design as a front-end to Inventor Series and the PLM solution.

The acquisition also brings to Autodesk a highly talented group of individuals, a wealth of technologies and a great set of products. By combining the technology and talents of two successful, financially healthy companies, we will be better able to continue delivering solutions that address your ever-changing and increasingly complex needs. And yes, Autodesk plans to continue to support and develop Alias products as well as utilize the strength of the combined organization to provide customers with continued innovation and technology development.

The transaction is expected to close in the next four to six months. Until that time, Autodesk and Alias will continue operating as independent companies and will remain focused on our current customer needs. We do not anticipate any changes with respect to planned product releases for either company. Please continue using your existing contacts for sales, services and support. We will update you on the progress of this acquisition, both directly and online at http://www.autodesk.com/autodeskandalias

On behalf of Autodesk and Alias, we would like to thank you for your business and reiterate our commitment to ensuring that this event – which is exciting for both our companies – will prove even more so for you.

[Lazer]

I was told about a merge a while back but said NO WAY, am i wrong in saying Maya was so much powerfull that for Max, its good new. What about Autodesk are up to old tricks again I agree, but what next.....
I need to sleep on this one, but its opened all new doors for the future...and i think great things to come. TV - Movies - Games NEXT GEN.. wait till you see what these to guyz can do together...........

[f700es]

I disagree about Maya being more powerful that Max. In fact the chief complaint of Maya users is Maya's slow rendering engine. Now if Maya get's Brazil and or Mental Ray then it will be on the same level but Max has an advantage over Maya in this area. Other than that they both do just about the same thing. Max has another advantage over Maya in pretty much the way AutoCAD has over CAD apps. It's large user base and it's customization. Max scripts are the reason it is ahead much like lisp helps AutoCAD. With the ability for user to customize the app to suite their needs puts them both ahead IMHO. Regardless this buyout was not about Maya but more of getting Studio Tools and gettting AutoDesk into the automotive market.

[Lazer]

Interesting reading