form•Z 3.0 users manuals

June 24, 1999

New form•Z manuals, updated to version 3.0, are now available and can be ordered by our users. Publications available include form•Z volumes I, II, III, and Directory; RenderZone/RadioZity; Tutorial; and Quick Reference Guide. For specific ordering information, please contact your local dealer, or if ordering in the USA, you may contact ZwebSales@formz.com.

For immediate release

June 21, 1999

AutoDesSys, Inc. wishes to share some very exciting news: The June 1999 issue of Computer Graphics World Magazine includes an article written by Barbara Robertson about the digital tools that were used in the making of Star Wars Episode I: the Phantom Menace, an impressive array of software to say the least.

form•Z is listed as being one of the programs used at Industrial Light and Magic by the "so-called Rebel unit, a close knit team that used tools such as Power Animator on SGI machines, and AutoDesSys' form•Z ..."(http://www.cgw.com)

Chris Tome, the technical editor of 3D Design Magazine, also talks about the use of form•Z in Star Wars Episode I: the Phantom Menace. In the June 99 issue of the online3D Direct Newsletter, a section of 3D Design Magazine's web site (http://3d-design.com/newsletter/1999/0699/webnews0699.html), he says that "3D Magazine has confirmed that ... most of the ship models were created on Macs using AutoDesSys' form•Z."

"AutoDesSys cannot hide its pride and delight to know that form•Z is part of an international phenomenon with epic magnitude, reaching millions around the world" said Chris Yessios, president of AutoDesSys. "One cannot help but admire all the technology (digital and non-digital) involved in creating the special effects and congratulations are in order to all involved in making this film. May the force be with the wonderful world of story telling in 3D!"

Press Release

April 2, 1999

Scéno Plus, Inc., the architectural firm that specializes in the design of theatrical spaces, uses form•Z to design the structures that house Cirque du Soleil.

Columbus, Ohio, April 2, 1999 - An article written by Susan Maclean in the April issue of CAD SYSTEMS magazine profiles the architectural firm Scéno Plus, Inc., Montréal, Canada, which specializes in the design of theatrical spaces. The article details the use of CAD in the design process and concentrates specifically on the application of form•Z for 3D production. Scéno Plus considers CAD a vital part of conceptual design when translating ideas into visual displays. "We try to be cutting edge"says Michel Aubé, the design architect. He approaches his designs by typically starting out with a few sketches to convey what he envisions in his head. "From then on, only CAD is used - first as a concept tool, then as a representation tool and finally as a production tool. The firm uses form•Z for their 3D work."

According to the article, Scéno Plus chose form•Z because "it is very precise and very stable... All the tools are very useful. The way that they interface is user friendly. We can easily do organic architecture and at the same time do traditional architecture," explained Benoit Décarie, one of the architects at the firm. This became clearly apparent when designing the show room and the aqua stage at the new Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. The ceiling presented a challenge because it is like a circle of ribs and each rib has its own radius and form resulting in a great deal of organic shapes with a very complicated geometric form. "form•Zshowed every rib and allowed us to work on each one to make it the way it should be" said Éric Tremblay, another architect on the team.

"We were delighted to read in the article that Scéno Plus was honored at the 1998 Entertainment Design Awards gala for its exceptional contribution to the design of the theatre at the Bellagio along with Cirque du Soleil's show 'O'," , the president of AutoDesSys. Scéno Plus also designed the Cirque du Soleil Theatre which opened this January, at Disney World, Florida as well as other facilities in which it performs. One of its current projects is the transformation of the Battersea Power Station in London, England, into a development which includes 30 movie theatres, a themed shopping centre, restaurants, and a redesigned train station.

To read more in CAD SYSTEMS magazine you may visit their web site: http://www.cadsystems.com

Press Release

March 18, 1999

It's true when they say "if you can imagine the shape you can build it in form•Z 3.0."
Richard Spöhrer, CGI, April 99

Press Release

March 12, 1999

"...you won't find a more comprehensive application anywhere." Richard Spöhrer, Macworld UK, April 99

Press Release

March 12, 1999

form•Z 3.0 ... has now reached a level of maturity unequaled in the general- purpose 3D modeller market. Robert Carolan, Digit Magazine, April 99

Columbus, Ohio, March 12, 1999 - One of the first reviews of form•Z 3.0 to hit the stands comes from Digit Magazine in the UK.

The reviewer, Robert Carolan concludes that "If you need the best modeller on the planet, get form•Z 3.0 - it's as simple as that." Among the features that Robert Carolan praises is form•Z's ability "to merge many different types of objects, including NURBS, bézier, Coons patches, analytic primitives, polygon-based objects, and metaballs in the same document, and even on the same object." This comes in addition to the software's hybrid solution of solid and surface modeling from inception.

He also praises the new customizable interface which allows users to "shape the growth and form of the application's interface as and when it suits them." The objects with multiple parametric personalities also captured his attention, citing form•Z's ability to provide users "room for exponential growth in the way the modeller can be worked."

"We could not be more pleased with the first reviews of form•Z 3.0" , president of AutoDesSys. He added, "By Mr. Carolan's words, it looks like we have achieved what we set out to do", referring to the reviewer's closing remarks which state that " form•Z 3.0... has now reached a level of maturity unequaled in the general- purpose 3D modeller market."

Renowned Artist Frank Stella Uses form•Z To Envision His Art

February 26, 1999

In the March 99 issue of WIRED magazine, Steve Silberman reports on Frank Stella and the art he creates in his studio in New York City. The artist's work which spans forty years has evolved to a degree of sophistication which requires digitizing in order to handle the manipulation of forms and ideas. With the help of two collaborators, Earl Childress and Andrew Dunn, who translate the artist's visions into virtual forms, before they are transferred to the desired medium of expression, Stella is able to create art which emanates from a studio that "is a prolific ecosystem, a big mind that thinks in collages".

This is where form•Z comes into play. An example: when Stella created artwork inspired by the imagery created from shapes of smoke rings, his collaborators, constructed a device for freezing the flow dynamics of smoke in mappable form. form•Z allowed visions and revisions that transform the smoke ring into "a Stella".

It was the intent of AutoDesSys to provide the designer the tools that will allow one to go beyond what pen and pencil can depict. To bring the vision to reality and to allow the creative mind to share its imagination with the rest of the world. Mr. Stella, along with Mr. Childress and Mr. Dunn, seem to have accomplished the goal that AutoDesSys set out to pursue. This makes those associated with the inception and development of form•Z stand humbled, but also very proud to be involved in the process.

Press Release: form•Z Passes 3D-Modeling Tests With Flying Colors

February 25, 1999

AutoDesSys,Inc. today anounced that the latest review of form•Z appears in the March issue of CADENCE Magazine. Mr. Emmanuel García, the reviewer, informs the readers of CADENCE that "form•Z passes [his] basic 3D-modeling tests with flying colors."

"We are particularly pleased with Mr. García's insightful and candid , the president of AutoDesSys. He recognizes the innovativeness and pioneering efforts of AutoDesSys when he states that "many of form•Z's features are now becoming staples in the highly competitive CAD/3D modeling market but it is remarkable how long they have been available in form•Z." Since development is an ongoing process, many more new features are forthcoming.

The review that was published in CADENCE is for form•Z 2.9.5. By the time it appeared in print, version 3.0 has been released. AutoDesSys has already addressed many of the items referred to as shortcomings in the review. The rest will be eliminated in the next release later on in 1999.