A-I and Lufthansa to increase flights
Mumbai: Air-India has signed a strategic alliance agreement with the German airlines Lufthansa to increase the number of flights between the two countries.

All flights between India and Germany would now be operated by both the airlines on a code-sharing basis and new routes would be added accordingly, the companies announced at a joint press conference.

Customers of both the airlines can collect and redeem miles of the companies' respective programmes — `Miles and More' of Lufthansa and 'Flying Returns' of Air-India. Air-India would shortly link Bangalore and Hyderabad directly to Frankfurt.
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AMD64 powers Star Wars: Episode III
Los Angeles, USA: At Siggraph, AMD has announced that AMD Opteron processor-based servers and workstations are providing the digital backbone for the final Star Wars prequel, Episode III: "Revenge of the Sith."

The AMD64 digital processing pipeline at JAK Films, the production company for Star Wars: Episode III, includes pre-visualization and pre-postproduction, which involves 3-D match moving, 3-D modeling, lighting, shading, texturing, compositing and rendering techniques. The AMD64 processor-based workstation systems are running Microsoft Windows XP Pro, Alias' Maya and Adobe After Effects software. AMD64 processor-based file server systems are running on clustered Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2003 software.

The full adoption of 64-bit capable AMD Opteron processor-based systems at JAK Films is the result of a long-standing relationship between AMD and the pioneering Pre-Visualization department at JAK Films. The relationship began during the making of Star Wars: Episode II and provided AMD with direct feedback from the world's foremost digital content creators. AMD64 processor-based workstations and servers are helping to shave time and money off the multiyear and multimillion-dollar Star Wars: Episode III project. The AMD Opteron processor-based systems are substantially dropping the render times and enabling the team at JAK Films to complete sequences during sessions with George Lucas in a matter of hours that used to go back and forth for weeks. The net result is an entirely new and more efficient way of moviemaking.

Digital pre-visualization began as a computerized improvement to traditional story-boarding techniques. Pre-visualization helps a director like Lucas to filter his ideas and make informed creative decisions about a film that is essentially all-digital or on blue screen. Pre-visualization gives a visual representation of the film to the director, the actors, the crew and ILM way before final decisions are made. AMD designs and produces innovative microprocessors, Flash memory devices and low-power processor solutions for the computer, communications and consumer electronics industries.
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Avid Introduces 3-Democracy
Los Angeles, USA: Avid Technology, Inc. has announced revolutionary new pricing for its Softimage XSI product line - ushering in 3-Democracy, the company's vision for making the most advanced 3D content creation software accessible to all levels of CG professionals.

Now the award-winning 3D software in three new affordable configurations, is available at the unprecedented price of $495 USMSRP for Softimage XSI v.4.0 Foundation. The new pricing structure is designed to shatter the barrier for entry into the Avid Computer Graphics production pipeline - also announced by Avid - which ties together the industry's most comprehensive 3D animation, digital asset management, and nonlinear editing tools in an integrated CG production environment.

• Softimage XSI v.4.0 Foundation for $495 USMSRP - Designed for individual 3D professionals, this version includes extensive polygon modeling tools, industry-leading Subdivision Surfaces, and the revolutionary nonlinear animation and interactive rendering toolset. The software is currently available from the Softimage website (www.softimage.com/store) or from authorized Softimage resellers. A 30-day trial version of SOFTIMAGE|XSI v.4.0 Foundation is also available at: www.softimage.com.
• Softimage XSI v.4.0 Essentials for $1,995 USMSRP - a powerful, customizable professional-grade package with all the flexibility and customization for an integrated pipeline environment, including Rigid & Soft Body Dynamics, the advanced character rig systems and SDK, and the revolutionary Custom Display Host. Softimage XSI v.4.0 Essentials is currently available from authorized Softimage resellers.
• Softimage XSI v.4.0 Advanced for $6,995 USMSRP - the premier VFX package, featuring deep customization features and flexibility. With an expansive feature set that includes professional compositing; resolution-independent paint, hair, and fur; Syflex cloth; and unparalleled rendering power, Softimage XSI v.4.0 Advanced is the most complete 3D production solution for film, games, and full-service commercial and post houses. Softimage XSI v.4.0 Advanced is also currently available from authorized Softimage resellers.

For a limited time, all new purchases of Softimage XSI v.4.0 will also ship with the Softimage Production Series - a complete suite of professional training DVDs providing nearly 50 hours of materials.

Avid Technology, Inc. is the world leader in digital nonlinear media creation, management, and distribution solutions, enabling film, video, audio, animation, games, and broadcast professionals to work more efficiently, productively, and creatively.
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