10 August 2018
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and The Linux Foundation have now launched the Academy Software Foundation (ASWF) to provide a neutral forum for open source software developers in the motion picture and broader media industries to share resources and collaborate on technologies for image creation, visual effects, animation and sound.
“In the last 25 years, software engineers have played an increasing role in the most successful movies of our time,” said David Morin, Project Lead for the Academy Open Source Investigation. “The Academy Software Foundation is set to provide funding, structure and infrastructure for the open source community, so that engineers can continue to collaborate and accelerate software development for moviemaking and other media for the next 25 years.”
The ASWF is the result of a two-year investigation by the Academy’s Science and Technology Council researched uses of Open Source Software (OSS) across the motion picture industry, finding that more than 80% of the industry uses open source software, particularly for animation and visual effects.
“The creation of the Academy Software Foundation is an important and exciting step for the motion picture industry. By increasing collaboration within our industry, it allows all of us to pool our efforts on common foundational technologies, drive new standards for interoperability and increase the pace of innovation.” Nick Cannon, Chief Technology Officer, Walt Disney Animation Studios
“Animal Logic is proud to be an inaugural member of this industry initiative to support foundational software on which future innovations will be developed. Combined with our open-source contribution through AL_USDMaya, this signifies our commitment to giving back to the community that has provided us with so much.” Darin Grant, Chief Technology Officer.
For more information about the Academy Software Foundation, click here.