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Alias Spin Off?

Re: Apple's buying spree...

Originally posted by ph8te
It seems that Apple is currently grabbing anything that is up for grabs... and rightly so. Up untill a few years ago, the "real" designers only used Apple Mac, and companies like Adobe and Macromdeia were almost exclusively servicing the Mac-Industry, with a couple of products available for PC as well. Now, since these companies (Adobe & Macromedia) have substantial supports for the PC, companies, especially the smaller ones, are not buying Macs to do the day to day DTP/Graphic Design work. So the nieche-market that once was entirely Apple's domain has been infiltrated by the PCers. (Well, at least we don't have to deal with that horrible Corel Draw any more, absolutely zero cross-compatibility).
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Reality check: the Maya market is very different from the graphic design market that, yes, Apple USED to dominate. Mac OS X actually has a pretty small presence in the 3D, CAD, and architecture markets. Remember that Maya didn't exist for the Mac until a few years ago (2001?).

Apple needs to make a serious move in this market, like acquiring Alias. But I'm not so sure if they can add so much value to Maya like they did with Final Cut Pro. Maybe Apple will finally release the rumored Xstation with some real horsepower (something that really blows away the windows world) and some custom hardware tailored for 3D and packaged it with software like Maya and Renderman.
 
Re: Maya - Softimage and Microsoft

Originally posted by MecOuf
By the way, if Alias buy Apple, the risk is simple, a big chunk of studios will move on to something else. Wich is unfortunately the case with Shake.
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I question your assertion. According to a recent rumor, ILM is currently in the process of switching TO Shake on G5's.
 
TH_MC5U_box_L.gif

The hamster/gerbil above is used in some of Apple’s demos and training classes. It's not a smokeing gun.


Apple acquiring Alias is in line with there current strategy, at least how I see it. Shake is currently the only pro-app that doesn’t fit neatly with in its professional line (price wise). There is a lot of evidence to support that Apple wants a high-end 3-D tool, along with eventually providing a 3-button+scroll mouse. To begin with, the training and demo classes that Apple provides for Shake use Maya created characters. Maya seems to be the preferred 3d-render platform for discussion. Also, again and again the trainers note that Shake is easier to use than PhotoShop. It looks like I could see Apple creating a Shake like program for stills (a pro raster editor). The Alias line includes some interesting tools that would fill out the line up. Maya for 3d, and a it would be easy to see them creating a 2d vector based version to fill the Illustrator hole. Apple is working hard too completely integrate all of its apps with its Os. The iLife line for low end users and the pro line for high-end users. It can be evidenced though their DVD products, each integrates and searches for media with in the other iLife products, or in the pro line, looks for media associated with Apple’s pro software.

By the way, it’s pretty funny that Apple doesn’t promote a two-button mouse, but their trainers do. Perhaps they will truly come up with a pro-mouse for FCP, Shake and other pro apps. It is also interesting to note, that Apple is looking into adjusting the price of Shake, and is looking into providing an Express version of the application for students.
 
Might Apple really buy SGI? I could not say whether or not the financial aspect would make sense without further research but the idea does have some merit.

SGI still has a large user base and some intellectual property that might make it an attractive acquisition for Apple. A puchase of most of the remaining assets of SGI would probably be preferable to a complete buyout since this would help shield Apple from inheriting any past legal liabilities. SGI could then offically dissolve and return its remaining assets to shareholders and other stakeholders.

Apple could continue to support legacy SGI products for a fee, perhaps via Applecare. A significant portion of current users could be encouraged to migrate to the Mac platform by porting past and developing all future products for OSX.
 
Might Apple really buy SGI?
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I thought the jist of the article was that SGI was looking at selling Alias which has provided software to Pixar (thus the link). I don't think Apple would acquire all of SGI.
 
softimage XSI

Originally posted by byla
I dont know what kind of market share does Softimage have, but it is far from dead. Actualy, softimage right now is considered as probably the best all round 3d package, but quite expensive.
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while i would agree that soft is not dead; it is, or was, priced lower than maya for some time. i believe maya actaully lowered the price from like 10k a host to 2k for this reason partially. like all design apps tho, i think it is good to have multiple packages avail for an artist to use. there are alot of things that maya does better than XSI, and vice versa.
 
Hardware & Software

Originally posted by Eniregnat
Perhaps they will truly come up with a pro-mouse for FCP, Shake and other pro apps. It is also interesting to note, that Apple is looking into adjusting the price of Shake, and is looking into providing an Express version of the application for students.
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There is something that has not been discussed a lot since this story appeared. The current hardware that Apple sells does not seem ideal for the Maya software. There is still no pro 3D high-end card for OS X but it is only a matter of time before that changes. The current PowerMacs only have space for two SATA drives but with two 2nd generation G5 processors the case can be modified for more.

Shake would be great product to integrate into iMovie one day and a market would exist for the Express version. Not sure that I can say the same thing about Maya but at the very least, Apple could get a great screen-saver from the acquisition of Alias.
 
Apple would not be the company that is acquiring Alias-as the press release stated a private equity investment firm was considering acquiring Alias from SGI. Seeing as companies such as Maxis use Maya-they are using to create objects for their upcoming Windows/PC Game 'The Sims 2'. So it wouldn't be fair if the new owners discontinue the windows version. And Apple is not a private equity investment firm.

Here's the parts that what I believe that Apple is not acquiring Alias:

'Alias, a Silicon Graphics Inc. (NYSE:SGI) company, today announced it is involved in exclusive discussions with a leading private equity investment firm for the acquisition of Alias® from SGI. Alias is the leading provider of 3D graphics technology and services for the film, video, games, web, interactive media, automotive, industrial design, education and visualization markets.

“As an independent entity, Alias would be able to further expand its business, extend customer value and create significant growth with its products and services,” said Doug Walker, president of Alias. “The investor believes that there is a great potential and synergy to having design and entertainment focused products, services and customers. The new investor has been briefed in detail on our roadmap and is attracted to Alias precisely because of our product and services portfolio.” '


I think it could be a company/firm that develops entertainment products, such as a game development company.

Apple has the iPod-but that is music related and has very few 'design-related ' products (CAD, 3D).


Also there is a free version of Maya-Maya PLE.
 
From what I have heard across the net Apple apparently invests in up to 12 different "Private" Investment firms. Anyone care to clarify that? If that's the case then, Apple could very well be behind this.

Although Duncan Brimsmead, one of the core developers of Maya, creator of the awesome Paint FX, had this to say about Apple's involvement.

"I would like to once and for all, to finally put this longstanding rumor
to rest... we are not being purchased by Apple! The talks are with a "private
equity firm" (which excludes Apple).

It has been fun reading all the posts and venting on this topic over the ages.

Duncan"
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This could be huge - if its not Apple, I just hope that who ever does buy them out continues development for Apple and doesn't let it stay mired in a minimal version.

With the G5 and Pixar under Jobs' thumb, having another 3D animation package might not be the best thing. Sure, Renderman is available but its not something that just anyone can use or afford. This is all very curious indeed....

So any ideas on when we'll finally know?

D
 
Renderman is not a 3D animation package. It is a rendering utility only. Marionette is Pixar's animation package, and it is not commercially available to anyone, Mac or PC. So Steve Jobs and Apple do not have a 3D application software that they own. Steve Jobs and Pixar does, but that doesn't help most other 3D users because a lot of Pixar's in-house tools are not commercially available.
 
I already posted that vx3. That fellow, is Duncan, a pretty nice person who often helps folks out with Maya problems, completely free of charge, and probably on his own time.
 
Originally posted by wchamlet
Renderman is not a 3D animation package.
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True - I had been talking about the fact that Renderman has been made available, but didn't follow through with my thought. In another thread I had talked about what it would take for Apple to bring to market their own 3D Animation Package to market - using Renderman as part of it...it would have a long way to go before you could sell the app. However, buying out Alias in this case doesn't make sense, since you would have 2 competing systems.

D
 
I agree, Apple purchasing Alias just for Maya, which is beginning to show it's age, is probably not the best move Apple can make. I'd think a better purchase would be a company like Luxology, whom is starting a brand new 3D software product line. Modo looks like it could be a great Apple app.

But most of this is moot though because Apple really hasn't been keeping up with highend hardware as of late. The G5 is quite capable to compete with other highend systems, but they are lacking on a few things like highend graphics cards. Once Apple has those things in place, then I can really see them making a dent in the highend 3D market. They just need to be careful about how they market their machines, and not step on anyone's toes. If Apple has the hardware, and has a decent 3D program with unlimited render licenses, they could pretty much dominate this particular market. That is unless Apple can break people's bias of them.
 
They are looking to a private investment firm to help them separate themselves from SGI. This has nothing to do with Apple, Microsoft, or any other computer maker/software developer/electronics mogul....

They're looking for a silent partner with a ton of cash.
I've noticed that a majority of people don't read articles.
 
Originally posted by wchamlet
I already posted that vx3. That fellow, is Duncan, a pretty nice person who often helps folks out with Maya problems, completely free of charge, and probably on his own time.
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oops, sorry missed that post.
 
Originally posted by speakster
They are looking to a private investment firm to help them separate themselves from SGI. This has nothing to do with Apple, Microsoft, or any other computer maker/software developer/electronics mogul....

They're looking for a silent partner with a ton of cash.
I've noticed that a majority of people don't read articles.
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This message sounds familiar. But to answer your question, or at least to fill you in on some information, you, nor I know who the actual "Private" Investor is, nor do you or I know who's money is involved. It could be anyone from Steve Jobs to Paris Hilton for all we know.

Either way, Alias is not an independent company right now. They could be sold to anyone at any minute for all we know.
 
Originally posted by Eniregnat
I thought the jist of the article was that SGI was looking at selling Alias which has provided software to Pixar (thus the link). I don't think Apple would acquire all of SGI.
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I was just responding to the post by Pastor_Mac above. An acquisition of just Alias is a no-brainer. It would be foolish to pass up this opportunity.

That doesn't mean that Apple will actually make the purchase. They have passed up golden opportunities before.
 
Originally posted by wchamlet
Either way, Alias is not an independent company right now. They could be sold to anyone at any minute for all we know.
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Maybe they just threw out the generic sounding "private equity firm" to try let people know they might be available and generate interest. It also creates the impression of a competitor to up bidding prices. I'm no businessman but I think this sort of thing goes on all the time. Even if Apple's not involved, they should be. Alias (Maya) looks like a perfect fit for them based on their recent direction in the high-end Hollywood space. Can you name a big-budget movie made in the last 3 years without using Maya technology? I don't think there are many.
 
From the press release:

"There will be no changes to the management team, organization, services, support or product availability as a result of the negotiations or the sale of the business."

At least then we know Apple won't send studios running for the hills like they did with Shake.

As a CGer in Los Angeles, I can assure everyone here that Apple isn't buying Maya. They simply couldn't afford it (not the initial bid of $250m, but the long term cost of ownership). Maya has a huge development team (though not as large as XSI's), and at 2000 bucks a pop, they aren't turning the profit they used to. There would also be no reason for Apple to strip the technology for parts, so to speak, because everything that goes into Maya is readily available in many other packages, and isn't exactly impossible to recreate. Maya's real strength is in its extensibility, and MEL scripting language.

Apple learned a lesson with Shake, and I would hope that they know better now that to boldly step into a industry where Apple isn't exactly well respected, and expect people to flock to Mac for all of their compositing needs. Instead, Shake has gone from industry standard to a product with a questionable future. The world of CG hinges on stability, and Apple's irrational behavior kinda scared everyone off real fast. Apple buying Alias would be the best thing that ever happened to Softimage! Abandon ship!!!
 
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