Autodesk buys Wellington firm

Computer-aided design software maker Autodesk, which is valued on Nasdaq at US$9.6 billion, (NZ$12.6 billion) has acquired young Wellington computer-modelling company Skymatter for an undisclosed sum and will move the business to Canada.

Skymatter was founded less than two years ago by three special effects artists who were working on Lord of the Rings at Weta Digital. It describes itself as a "virtual company" that contracted out development of its software, Mudbox 3D, to programmers in Europe.

The company does not advertise its offices or even a phone number, the only way to contact it being to fill out a form on its website.

Mudbox lets designers "sculpt organic shapes in three dimensions using brush-like tools". Customers are mostly film and games companies. Weta Digital used Mudbox to produce special effects for King Kong and the software has been used to make "photorealistic" creatures for upcoming films The Golden Compass and Inkheart.

Skymatter's three founders, Andrew Camenisch, Dave Cardwell and Tibor Madjar, will join Autodesk and the company will move to Toronto in two months' time, Autodesk announced. The company describes the trio as "graphics veterans" with experience at Weta Digital, Electronics Arts, Ford, GM and Mercedes Benz.

Autodesk vice president Marc Petit said in a statement that designers were demanding more integrated tools. "In order to create advanced digital characters and models, 3D artists are relying on Skymatter's Mudbox software, along with Autodesk's 3D solutions.

"By acquiring Skymatter, Autodesk will be able to offer a more complete solution for film, television and games, as well as new workflows for other design disciplines such as automotive and industrial design."

- © Fairfax NZ News