Wave Issue 0309 3/28/03 Article 3-01

***Kaydara Launches HumanIK, a Discreet Certified 3ds max Plug-in
(March 24)

Kaydara Inc., a developer 3D character animation, today announced
the release of HumanIK, a character animation plug-in for 3ds
max. With a suite of character animation tools and integration
with 3ds max, Kaydara stated that HumanIK provides a great degree
of control and ease of use. HumanIK is part of the Discreet
Certified 3ds max Plug-in Program, which is marketed through
Turbo Squid.

Built on MOTIONBUILDER's technology, Kaydara's HumanIK gives 3ds
max users control over their character animation projects.
Feature highlights in HumanIK include:

- Automatic Character Rigging saves animators time when compared
to manual rigging. Motion retargeting between HumanIK based
characters is simplified and allows animators to use diverse
motion data in one animation environment.

- BodyGenerator provides a 3ds max script for the creation of
human bone structures.

- User Interface is accessible and customizable.

- Seamless Integration with the 3ds max environment provides
support for bone and object structures native to 3ds max. Offers
compatibility with the 3ds max controller, for procedural
animations and function curves with access to MAXScript, so tools
can be customized. HumanIK also works in parallel with Character
Studio, complementing the Physique and Crowd components.

- Support for motion capture formats provides users with direct
access to motion capture file formats (.bvh, .htr, .asf, .fbx)
directly within with the 3ds max environment, providing a start
to finish pipeline that was previously unattainable in 3ds max.

HumanIK natively supports Kaydara's FBX file interchange format,
a format for 3D data that allows MOTIONBUILDER users to acquire
and exchange 3D assets and media from a variety of sources.
HumanIK allows for direct import of motion capture files through
the FBX format, providing integration with 3ds max.

FBX is supported by 3D content and streaming media vendors such
as Alias|Wavefront, Autodesk/discreet, DI-O-Matic, 2D3, Digimask,
Expression Tools, InSpeck, Motek, NewTek, QEDsoft, Reflex3D,
Softimage, Turbo Squid, Vicon, Viewpoint and Zygote.

Kaydara HumanIK is available today through the Discreet Certified
Plug-in Program for an introductory price of US $895 until April
30, 2003. After April 30, HumanIK will be priced at US $995.
Turbo Squid will act as the worldwide developer, publisher and
distributor for Kaydara HumanIK, as part of the Discreet
Certified 3ds max Plug-in Program. HumanIK is available through
Turbo Squid's web site or through Discreet's Worldwide Reseller
Channel and the Discreet online store.

Working together, Discreet and Turbo Squid are selecting, from
the hundreds of available 3ds max plug-ins, solutions that bring
compelling value to 3ds max artists. These plug-ins are subjected
to testing procedures defined by Discreet to ensure each plug-in
works with 3ds max and other Discreet Certified 3ds max Plug-ins.
Plug-ins that pass the testing process are eligible to use the
"Discreet Certified 3ds max Plug-in" branding. Discreet Certified
3ds max Plug-ins are backed up by an online support system
implemented by Turbo Squid, including developer-moderated forums,
FAQs, tutorials, demos, and product information for Discreet 3ds
max artists.