Comments on: Autodesk buys SoftImage for $35m http://montrealtechwatch.com/2008/10/25/autodesk-buys-softimage-for-35m/ Technology and Innovation news in Montreal Tue, 22 May 2012 17:16:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Heri http://montrealtechwatch.com/2008/10/25/autodesk-buys-softimage-for-35m/#comment-68304 Heri Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:07:13 +0000 http://montrealtechwatch.com/?p=1127#comment-68304 Thanks ali Thanks ali

]]> By: ali asaria http://montrealtechwatch.com/2008/10/25/autodesk-buys-softimage-for-35m/#comment-68256 ali asaria Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:05:19 +0000 http://montrealtechwatch.com/?p=1127#comment-68256 great reporting here, heri great reporting here, heri

]]> By: » Weekend Reading | StartupNorth http://montrealtechwatch.com/2008/10/25/autodesk-buys-softimage-for-35m/#comment-66041 » Weekend Reading | StartupNorth Sun, 26 Oct 2008 22:57:40 +0000 http://montrealtechwatch.com/?p=1127#comment-66041 [...] SoftImage was acquired by Autodesk for $35 million. [...] [...] SoftImage was acquired by Autodesk for $35 million. [...]

]]> By: Heri http://montrealtechwatch.com/2008/10/25/autodesk-buys-softimage-for-35m/#comment-66033 Heri Sun, 26 Oct 2008 21:46:58 +0000 http://montrealtechwatch.com/?p=1127#comment-66033 Thanks for link Katie, I didn't think Autodesk was the 2nd oldest software company, and now growing faster than even Microsoft. about the price: so it's definetely a firesale price then? As Avid is losing a lot of money Thanks for link Katie,

I didn’t think Autodesk was the 2nd oldest software company, and now growing faster than even Microsoft.

about the price: so it’s definetely a firesale price then? As Avid is losing a lot of money

]]> By: Katie http://montrealtechwatch.com/2008/10/25/autodesk-buys-softimage-for-35m/#comment-65961 Katie Sun, 26 Oct 2008 08:35:17 +0000 http://montrealtechwatch.com/?p=1127#comment-65961 I don't think there's anything like a decrease in the 3d business - if you look at the annual profit increases for Autodesk over the last decade, you're looking at explosive growth for a mature company. Avid, however, have really been struggling financially and as the article quite rightly points out this was a strategic refocusing of the core business, I discuss it further here: http://www.cgenie.net/cgenie-content/articles/autodesk-friend-or-foe.html I don’t think there’s anything like a decrease in the 3d business – if you look at the annual profit increases for Autodesk over the last decade, you’re looking at explosive growth for a mature company.

Avid, however, have really been struggling financially and as the article quite rightly points out this was a strategic refocusing of the core business, I discuss it further here:

http://www.cgenie.net/cgenie-content/articles/autodesk-friend-or-foe.html

]]> By: Heri http://montrealtechwatch.com/2008/10/25/autodesk-buys-softimage-for-35m/#comment-65888 Heri Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:25:03 +0000 http://montrealtechwatch.com/?p=1127#comment-65888 Peter, "Now the industry is mature and the growth is no longer there." I don't think companies bought 3D software in 1994 and stopped buying any license? I thought there were more video games studios and FX studios in 2008 compared to 1994? Also about DS vs Media Composer, I still think Softimage had an opportunity to be a leader Peter,

“Now the industry is mature and the growth is no longer there.” I don’t think companies bought 3D software in 1994 and stopped buying any license? I thought there were more video games studios and FX studios in 2008 compared to 1994?

Also about DS vs Media Composer, I still think Softimage had an opportunity to be a leader

]]> By: peterb http://montrealtechwatch.com/2008/10/25/autodesk-buys-softimage-for-35m/#comment-65870 peterb Sat, 25 Oct 2008 15:47:25 +0000 http://montrealtechwatch.com/?p=1127#comment-65870 The price reflects the natural decrease in the 3D animation software business. In 1994 the business was growing strong as movie makers, video games and advertisers where buying new 3D licenses. Now the industry is mature and the growth is no longer there. In 1998 Avid saw a competitive threat in DS to their cash cow (Media Composer) and bought Softimage. Now the industry is further consolidating with 3D animation at Autodesk and Video Editing at Avid. It is interesting to think what would have happened if Softimage had remained independent. But it is very hard to upstage an entrenched standard (Media Composer). Just look at Open Office vs. Microsoft Office. You need to be at least 10x better than the standard before anyone will move. DS is good, but it is not that good. Further, if a price war had started both companies would have suffered. The price reflects the natural decrease in the 3D animation software business. In 1994 the business was growing strong as movie makers, video games and advertisers where buying new 3D licenses. Now the industry is mature and the growth is no longer there.

In 1998 Avid saw a competitive threat in DS to their cash cow (Media Composer) and bought Softimage. Now the industry is further consolidating with 3D animation at Autodesk and Video Editing at Avid.

It is interesting to think what would have happened if Softimage had remained independent. But it is very hard to upstage an entrenched standard (Media Composer). Just look at Open Office vs. Microsoft Office. You need to be at least 10x better than the standard before anyone will move. DS is good, but it is not that good. Further, if a price war had started both companies would have suffered.

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