• Athera to provide flexible access to multiple VFX applications running in the cloud
• Google Cloud Platform will offer powerful networking and storage capabilities
• Athera allows access to Foundry-owned tools and partner applications, including SideFX, Blender and Chaos Group

London, 9 April 2018: Leading creative software developer,   Foundry, is today announcing Google Cloud Platform as the underlying cloud service provider for Athera – known in beta as Project Elara – the cloud-based technology tipped to transform visual effects (VFX) workflows.

Craig Rodgerson, Chief Executive Officer at Foundry, added: “The partnership with Google has enabled us to build an industry-leading tool in cloud technology. Google Cloud’s capabilities provide Foundry with the infrastructure needed to scale up Athera and realise our goal of providing an end-to-end cloud services solution for VFX studios everywhere.”

Athera will be hosted on   Google Cloud Platform, incorporating Google’s unrivalled GPU, networking and storage capabilities. It enables VFX studios and freelancers to move their entire pipeline into the cloud. Athera centralises storage, creative tools and pipeline in one place, giving users on-demand and flexible access to their preferred industry tools, including the Nuke family, Katana, Modo, Mari, Cara VR, V-Ray, Houdini and Blender.

Jon Wadelton, Chief Technology Officer at Foundry, commented: “Many of our customers have shared their enthusiasm about how cloud technology can transform their workflows. Working alongside Google Cloud, we will be able to open up new doors for studios and freelancers to access industry leading tools from any location, on flexible terms which are better suited to the ebb and flow of their business needs.”

Adam Massey, Director of Strategic Technology Partners at Google Cloud, commented: “We are excited to be partnering with Foundry on the development of Athera. We are looking forward to seeing how Foundry’s capabilities can open up new opportunities for the VFX industry.“

In addition to its networking and storage capabilities, Google Cloud Platform provides essential security for its users. Premier media and entertainment cyber security firm, Independent Security Evaluators (ISE) has been engaged to provide the security audit for Athera. ISE performs rigorous, manual security assessments, and serve as trusted advisors to many of the major industry content owners.  They have advised industry associations Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and Content Delivery & Security Association (CDSA) on numerous initiatives, primarily related to application security.

Studios and artists will be able to request an Athera trial from April 26, as the platform prepares for its commercial launch. Sign up at  https://imagine.foundry.com/athera_launch_announcement to get news about the upcoming launch.

Notes to Editors

For further information or interviews please contact  Email Contact 0203 077 2000

About Foundry

Foundry designs creative software technologies used to deliver award-winning visual effects and 3D content for the design, visualisation and entertainment industries. Foundry’s software advances the art and technology of visual experience in partnership with creative leaders across the globe. It enables clients like Pixar, Mercedes-Benz, ILM, Weta Digital, The Moving Picture Company and Sony Pictures Imageworks to turn incredible ideas into reality by solving complex creative challenges. 

The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in London, with 300 staff based across offices in Silicon Valley, Shanghai, Austin and the UK. Foundry consistently invests in R&D to provide more efficient ways for its clients to bring visual concepts to life.

In 2015, the London Stock Exchange named Foundry one of its “1000 Companies to Inspire Britain.” It regularly features in The Sunday Times’ Tech Track as one of Britain’s fastest-growing private technology companies, most recently in 2016 when it also won the Excellence in Service Award at the International Track 200 awards. Every single film nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects in the last seven years was made using Foundry’s software.

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