Press Release

Autodesk, Inc. today launched its Academy Award-winning Discreet Flame visual effects system on dual-core workstations running the Linux operating system. The Discreet Flame system is already available on workstations running the IRIX operating system. As a result, film studios, broadcasters and post-production facilities will have more flexibility and choice in shaping their digital content creation pipelines.
For more than a decade, the Discreet Flame system’s hallmark speed and creative toolset have set the standard for high-quality digital content creation. The system has helped digital artists realize ideas for hundreds of blockbuster films, television shows, television spots and channel brands. The system gives artists continuous innovation in a fully interactive 3D compositing environment that is packed with advanced creative tools for video, standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) TV and 2K digital cinema post production.
Kevin Tengan, head of 2D systems at Los Angeles-based Rhythm & Hues Studios, said, “With the exception of our IRIX-based Autodesk Discreet systems, Rhythm & Hues Studios is predominantly a Linux shop. We’ve now integrated the new Linux-based version of Discreet Flame into our facility to create a more manageable, homogenous computing environment. The speed of this system is amazing, as is the stability. We’ve already completed three spots with it, one of which involved several client-assisted sessions. Our client was also blown away by the Flame capabilities on the dual-core workstation." Television spots were delivered for both the discount retailer Target Corp. and SeaWorld adventure parks.
Dave Smith, managing director at UK-based post-production facility Absolute, said, “The Discreet Flame system has been a big part of our business. The Flame system running Linux is a turning point for the industry. Autodesk’s use of high-performance, dual-core Linux workstations provides us with more flexible and cost-effective platform choices going forward. The system’s new tools, such as layer-based paint in batch, are great too because they increase our design flexibility.”
Autodesk’s Discreet Flint visual effects system and Discreet Smoke editing system are also available on Linux-based workstations, making Autodesk one of the world’s leading providers of digital content creation tools for the Linux operating system.
“Autodesk is dedicated to providing our media and entertainment customers with highly optimized Discreet systems that operate on the latest-generation workstations,” said Bill Roberts, director of product management for Autodesk’s Media & Entertainment Division. “Dual-core workstations offer fast, interactive performance that empowers digital artists to realize their creative visions faster than ever before; ultimately allowing the facility to be more productive.” Dual-core processor technology allows users to execute multiple tasks simultaneously at a faster rate than traditional single-core processor technology.
Availability
Autodesk’s Discreet Flame and Discreet Smoke 2K systems are currently available on SGI IRIX-based workstations. Autodesk anticipates that the following Discreet systems will be available on Linux-based workstations this winter:
  • Discreet Flame and Discreet Smoke 2K systems
  • Discreet Flint standard-definition (SD) and Smoke SD systems
  • Discreet Flint high-definition (HD) and Smoke HD systems