GOTHENBURG, Sweden – Feb. 18, 2009 – Craft Animations™ AB, leading developer of professional real-time 3D animation technology, today announced its new Academic Partner Program, which offers leading colleges, universities and 3D animation schools subsidized access to Craft Director Tools™. The company has additionally announced the University Of Southern California (USC) School of Cinematic Arts as the latest adopter of this new program, which helps to further establish the growing network of students who are skilled in new era animation technologies.

“We are very pleased that our students will have the opportunity to utilize Craft Director Tools for their increasingly complex animation and visual effects projects,” said Richard Weinberg, research associate professor at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. "These tools should bring a new level of realism into their vehicle, mechanical assembly and camera movements."

As part of the Craft Animations Academic Partner Program, USC and other qualifying schools and universities will receive:

•Free licenses for Craft Director Tools to aide with relevant coursework, such as computer animation and design
•Early access to select upcoming 3D technology from Craft Animations and the opportunity to provide strategic input that will influence future developments
•Craft Animations technical and supervisory support for select academic projects

“This program provides a wonderful opportunity for students to stay ahead of the technology curve by developing skills on emerging animation techniques and technologies,” said Craft Animations CEO Deborah Lygonis. “Education programs are a priority for Craft Animations. The company originated as a master’s thesis project; therefore, providing an avenue for new talent and innovation through education is in our blood. We are proud to share our technology with the talented students of USC.”

Craft Director Tools utilize research in high-end artificial intelligence and autonomous control systems to drastically condense traditional animation processes. By eliminating the prolonged tasks of key framing and scripting, Craft Director Tools provide artists more time for creative processes. Professional users including Digital Dimension, Toyota and Lockheed Martin have reported reduced production times by up to 90 percent. Additionally, they have gained the opportunity to create natural motion paths on the fly through autopilot functions, or a variety of input devices such as gamepads, joysticks, keyboards, Wacom boards and 6DOF controllers (such as Space Pilot®).

Availability
The number of academic partner schools will initially be limited. Craft Animations additionally offers attractive discounts on educational and student licenses to all other qualifying academic institutions.

Educational institutions wishing to enroll or find out more information about the Craft Animations Academic Partner Program should contact Lou Badju at Craft Animations at +1 310-904-2108 or via email at Email Contact. For additional information regarding Craft Animations and Craft Director Tools, please visit www.craftanimations.com.

About Craft Animations
Founded in 2006 and based in Gothenburg, Sweden, Craft Animations™ AB is a leading developer of a new era of professional real-time 3D animation technology, Craft Director Tools™. Based on cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence and autonomous control systems, Craft Director Tools simulate the complex physical behavior of 3D cameras and vehicles such as helicopters, cars, airplanes, boats and motorcycles. Utilized by high-profile companies world-wide such as Digital Domain, Lockheed Martin, Digital Dimension and Toyota; Craft Director Tools streamline production, enhance realism and increase creativity for users in the visual effects, game development, forensic reconstruction and architectural design industries. For more information, please visit www.craftanimations.com.

About the USC School of Cinematic Arts
Celebrating 80 years of excellence since its founding in partnership with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1929, the USC School of Cinematic Arts has fueled and mirrored the growth of entertainment as an industry and an art form. The school offers comprehensive programs in directing, producing, writing, critical studies, animation & digital arts, production, and interactive media, all backed by a broad liberal arts education and taught by leading practitioners in each field. Its more than 10,000 alumni are among the world’s most distinguished animators, scholars, teachers, writers, directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, sound experts and industry executives. Since 1973 not a year has passed without an alumnus or alumna being nominated for an Academy Award. For additional information, please visit www.cinema.usc.edu.

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© 2009 Craft Animations AB. All rights reserved. Craft Director Tools is a Registered Trademark of Craft Animations AB. All other brand names, product names, service marks or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

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