Avid Advances in the Art of 3-D

Avid Technology has jumped into the stereoscopic 3-D arena. The company unveiled version 10 of its Avid DS finishing system, its first product to incorporate tools for stereoscopic filmmaking. This summer, a number of postproduction technologies that support 3-D were introduced by various manufacturers. Da Vinci Systems recently revealed that it will preview its R3D color grading system designed with 3-D support next month at the International Broadcasting Convention.

At the recent Siggraph confab, Autodesk Media & Entertainment introduced two new versions of its products that will have stereo tools: Maya 2009, a computer animation software; and Toxik 2009, a compositing system. Meanwhile some 3-D capable post tools already are on the market, including those for Quantel and Assimilate.

Avid DS supports such key functions as conform and color correction. Version 10 includes a new stereoscopic container as well as a redesigned color management tool interface and support for Avid's infrastructure products.

By Carolyn Giardina, The Hollywood Reporter