Autodesk has acquired Wonder Dynamics, a developer of cloud-based 3D animation and VFX tools co-founded by actor and producer Tye Sheridan.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Investors in Wonder Dynamics included Epic Games and Samsung Next, with an advisory board that included Steven Spielberg and director-producer Joe Russo.
Using artificial intelligence, Wonder Dynamics’ Wonder Studio helps artists “more easily animate, light and compose 3D characters within live-action scenes” — faster and at a significantly lower price point than other solutions, according to Autodesk. The acquisition of the company “will give more creators the ability to add 3D animated characters to their projects and stories while minimizing the learning curve and automating typically complex and time-consuming processes,” Autodesk said.
Sheridan, president of Wonder Dynamics, co-founded the company in 2016 alongside VFX artist and filmmaker Nikola Todorovic. Sheridan’s acting credits include “Ready Player One,” “X-Men: Apocalypse” and “X-Men: Dark Phoenix,” “Asphalt City,” “The Mountain,” “Age Out” and “The Night Clerk.”
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“As an artist myself, I’m extremely grateful to make movies for a living, and we’ve always wanted to help other artists realize the same dream — regardless of their location, social status or budget,” Sheridan said in a statement. “With Autodesk’s support and commitment to innovation, we now have the perfect partnership to continue this mission and redefine the narrative of what’s achievable in the realm of storytelling.”
Wonder Studio currently offers a plug-in that connects with professional 3D tools such as Autodesk Maya and Blender to provide character workflows.
“Bringing Wonder Dynamics into the Autodesk Media & Entertainment portfolio extends our history of empowering artists with innovative and accessible solutions that break down barriers to entry,” Diana Colella, EVP of media and entertainment at Autodesk, said in a statement. “In the 1990s, we helped artists learn how to use computers to create 3D graphics leading to the industry we see today, and Wonder Dynamics is our next step on that journey. By embracing emerging technology, we want to help teams and creators of all sizes and skill levels create more content, more easily, so everyone has the power to bring their inspiring stories to life.”
Watch the Wonder Studio sizzle reel:
