-Digital artists break free with AMD64 technology-based infrastructure at Lucasfilm Ltd.'s new state-of-the-art Asian studio-
SINGAPORE-Oct. 27, 2005-At a ceremonial opening of Lucasfilm
Animation Singapore today, AMD (NYSE: AMD) announced that the digital
backbone of the new Lucasfilm Animation Singapore digital animation
center is powered by AMD64 processor technology - the gold standard for
64-bit computing.
Lucasfilm Animation Singapore is Lucasfilm Ltd.'s first
animation studio in Asia and complements their new Letterman Digital
Arts Center combining Industrial Light & Magic and LucasArts at the
Presidio in San Francisco. All facilities rely on AMD64 processors for
their artist's workstations and mission-critical render farms. Both
facilities are designed to produce state-of-the-art digital animated
content for movies, television programs and games for global audiences.
Asian cinema and animation has had a profound effect on the work
of George Lucas. Lucasfilm Animation Singapore hopes to blend animation
styles of east and west to offer audiences something never seen before.
"Integrating our new Singapore and San Francisco facilities into
one virtual studio and handling the massive amounts of data we push
around our network every day is an unprecedented feat in our industry
and requires the best technology available," said Cliff Plumer, chief
technology officer for Lucasfilm. "Building on top of AMD64 processors
was an easy decision because they are the only processors to meet our
strict needs. AMD64's cutting edge 32-bit performance for our existing
software, simple 64-bit upgrade path, low power consumption, world class
reliability and scalability, and clear roadmap to next-generation
performance with dual core technology are "must-haves" to continue our
steep trajectory up the visual effects innovation curve."
The power of AMD64 technology with Direct Connect Architecture
in the hands of digital artists at Lucasfilm Animation Singapore
increases efficiencies in the production pipeline while raising the
quality level of finished work. One artist can now perform multiple
tasks that in the past would have required six to a dozen artists.
"We look for vendors like AMD who thrive on challenges, who like
to be innovative and who like to push the technology envelope,"
continued Plumer. "AMD has been right there beside us pushing the
technology to create things that haven't been seen before by our
audiences."
"As the processor innovator setting new standards, it's
extremely important for AMD to work with the very best like Lucasfilm,
the company that revolutionized the visual effects industry," said
Charlie Boswell, director of Digital Media and Entertainment at AMD.
"With AMD64 technology, Lucasfilm and its IT department led by Cliff
Plumer have created possibly the most sophisticated collaborative IT
environment in the world. With the availability of AMD64 technology as
close as your local PC retailer, it's exciting to know that
next-generation artists have access to the same AMD64 technology the top
pros are using."
About AMD64
The AMD64 processor platform is the gold standard for 64-bit computing.
AMD64's Direct Connect Architecture evolves industry standards to
deliver break-through performance on single- and dual-core processors,
reducing bottlenecks inherent in traditional front-side bus
architectures. AMD64 technology is also designed to enhance the security
of computing environments by integrating Enhanced Virus Protection*
technology enabled by advanced anti-virus features in current versions
of Linux, Microsoft(r) Windows(r) and Solaris operating systems. Today,
more than 75 of the top 100 companies in the Forbes Global 2000 or their
subsidiaries, representing the world's most competitive industries, now
rely on AMD64 technology-based systems to run their enterprise
applications. Since their 2003 introduction, AMD64 processors have
earned more than 120 industry awards and the support of more than 2,000
OEMs, hardware and software developers, system builders and
distributors. For more information on the AMD64 processor platform, see
http://www.amd.com/amd64.
*Enhanced Virus Protection (EVP) is only enabled by certain operating
systems including the current versions of Microsoft(r) Windows(r),
Linux, Solaris and BSD Unix. After properly installing the appropriate
operating system release, users must enable the protection of their
applications and associated files from buffer overrun attacks. Consult
OS documentation for information on enabling EVP. Contact software
application vendors for information regarding use of the application in
conjunction with EVP. AMD strongly recommends that users continue to use
third-party anti-virus software as part of their security strategy.
About AMD
AMD (NYSE:AMD) designs and produces innovative microprocessors,
Flash memory devices and low-power processor solutions for the computer,
communications and consumer electronics industries. AMD is dedicated to
delivering standards-based, customer-focused solutions for technology
users, ranging from enterprises and governments to individual consumers.
For more information visit http://www.amd.com