FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

( February 14, 2006 )

Synthetik Software Releases New Version 3.5 of Studio Artist™

MSG Evolver and New Supersizer Interpolator are Bonus Additions

HONOLULU HI, February 14 -- Synthetik Software today announced the eagerly anticipated new release of its award winning software Studio Artist™, the worlds first graphics synthesizer. A host of new features include new dynamic liquid spreading paint effects, smart auto-regionization algorithms, new integrated Supersizer interpolator, enhanced support for multi-threading on dual and quad processor computers, enhanced animation capabilities, and greatly expanded image processing, interactive warp and Paint Synthesizer functionality. The 3.5 release also includes the complete MSG Evolver editing application to design and build MSG (Modular Synthesized Graphics) image and video effects plug-ins. Studio Artist 3.5 comes optimized for both OS-X and legacy OS 9 and the 3.5 box set includes over 8 hours of Quicktime video tutorials and instructional guides.

Studio Artist Knows How to Paint and Draw

Developed by Synthetik Software Inc., Studio Artist is the first commercial program for computer artists that incorporates research results from cognitive neuroscience investigations into the nature of visual perception in the brain. Studio Artist uses human visual modeling to construct an internal representation from a source image that is used to direct smart assisted painting and drawing. The result is Studio Artist knows how to paint and draw. This includes both still images as well as auto-rotoscoped video sequences.

Studio Artist combines dynamic user-configurable painting and drawing tools along with a complete image processing and video effects suite. A unique hybrid imaging model allows individual paint strokes to have the visual richness of raster paint with the editability of vector paths. Dynamic expressive paint tools or custom art processes can easily be constructed and applied to still images or motion sequences. Users can either paint and draw manually or interactively direct Studio Artist’s automatic Intelligent-Assisted™ painting actions.

The over 4000 factory presets shipped with Studio Artist barely scratch the surface of the potential visual looks and tactile feels that can be created within the program. Each Paint Preset consists of over 450 fully editable parameters that can be individually adjusted to control the look and feel of the paint. These synthesizer parameters can also be interactively modulated while painting. This immense flexibility allows artists to create their own art tools or effect processes with unique visual appearance based on their own personal tastes.

New Supersizer Interpolator

The new Supersizer interpolator is designed to take very small images and resize them to be very large images without the stair-stepping artifacts typically seen in traditional interpolation technology like bi-cubic or linear interpolation. Supersizer works great for taking really small images and blowing them up to 600 dpi print
resolution for cover art or illustration purposes. Because Supersizer can be recorded as an action step in Studio Artist’s Paint Action Sequences, you can also use Supersizer to up-res movie files, like from DV to HD format size or even larger.

MSG Evolver - New Editing Application for Modular Synthesized Graphics Plug-In Architecture

MSG Evolver is the new application used to build and edit MSG presets. MSG (or Modular Synthesized Graphics) allows you to easily build an unlimited number of image processing or video effects with the click of a button. Generate amazing still or animated abstract imagery as well as stand alone processing effects. Integrated Art-Mapping, auto photo mosaic, tiling, and dynamic procedural movie animation capabilities open up new horizons for the generation of computer art and animated movies using MSG presets directly in MSG Evolver.

MSG presets also open up new worlds for designing interactive paint tools and effects for use in Studio Artist 3.5. A complete configurable image processing toolkit is now available in your pen tip. The possibilities are unlimited.

New Paint Synthesizer and Image Processing Features

Studio Artist 3.5's Paint Synthesizer has a host of new feature enhancements. Create dynamic liquid spreading paint effects. Experience the organic realism of interactive multi-bristle brushes, paint loading, and color gradient effects. Explore new levels of artistic interaction with full support for the Wacom 6D ArtPen and its innovative pen barrel rotation modulation within the Studio Artist paint synthesizer.

Studio Artist 3.5 also includes new Image Processing and Warp Effects as well as extensive expansion and enhancement to the existing Image Processing effect suite. The Texture Synthesizer can now be incorporated directly into Image Processing effects which opens up a whole new world of artistic expression. All multi-threaded internal image operations now split four ways on quad processor computers for increased processing speed.

Enhanced Animation Capabilities

Studio Artist 3.5 offers improved support for sequential keyframe recording in Paint Action Sequences. Sequential keyframing removes the drudgery of traditional hand animation by allowing an artist to concentrate on drawing while automatically creating keyframes for subsequent automatic tween animation. New smart index reordering and path count normalization for keyframed Bezier paths and regions allow for automatic vector interpolation of a series of free drawn sketches or paintings. Each free sketch can be encapsulated as a single auto paint step in a Paint Action Sequence even though it may internally consist of an arbitrary number of hand drawn paint strokes.
Folders of Paint Action Sequences can now be batch processed with a single menu command for professional Studio Artist users in a production environment. Workflow enhancements make working with Paint Action Sequences for automatic painting and movie processing effects a snap.

Price and Availability

Synthetik’s mission is to develop innovative software tools for computer artists and creative professionals. Studio Artist’s suggested retail price is $379, and is available immediately. Registered Studio Artist users prior to version 3.0 can upgrade for $179. Registered Studio Artist 3.0 users can upgrade to version 3.5 for a special introductory time period offer of only $99 ( a normal $129 list price). Orders can be placed by calling 1-888-808-4188 or by visiting the Synthetik web site at www.synthetik.com.

Additional information can be obtained from Synthetik Software Inc., Seven Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana Blvd, Suite 400, Honolulu, HI 96813, 1-866-511-9971 , 1-808-261-1837 (Fax), or by emailing candice@synthetik.com.

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