Market Spotlight on
Professional 3D Animation
     The professional 3D animation market has been in existence for some 14 years now. While there have been several newer entrants into this competitive market segment, many of the original players are still creating tools that meet the needs of the professional 3D animator. The major vendors with products that are classified in this market segment include Softimage, Alias/Wavefront, Discreet, Newtek, Side Effects, Nichimen and Maxon.

      The market has seen a fair amount of swings in the last fourteen years, from shifting platforms to acquisitions, mergers, to maturing markets and new business models. In all this time the major tool vendors have found ways to move with the industry and define new frontiers for 3D graphics and animation.

      The current market for professional animation software is made up primarily of the following commercial vendors:

• Alias/Wavefront
• Discreet
• Electric Image
• Maxon
• Newtek
• Nichimen
• Side Effects
• Softimage
  

      In 1999 the total market value for commercial animation tools was $152 million. We project total revenues for the professional animation market to increase to $177 in 2000 and reach $358 million by 2004.

Professional 3D Animation Market - Market Projections (in revenues)

      The total annual growth rate in 1999 for professional 3D animation software reached 12.6% and we expect it will grow to 14.8% by 2004, thanks in part to expanding market penetration into web design, visualization and architectural applications.

      The current market for professional 3D animation can be broken out into several segments including film and broadcast, game development, visualization (which includes everything from architectural walkthroughs to forensic analysis), web design and educational. Of these segments film and broadcast currently command the bulk of the professional animation tool market with 42%. Game development applications run second making up 31% of the market, with visualization and web design collectively making up 15%. Tools going into the educational market to help "seed" the market makes up the final 12%.

Market Segmentation for Professional 3D Animation (in units)

      Currently Discreet maintains a considerable edge over the competition with a 44% market share for 3D Studio Max and 3D Studio Viz combined. Newtek is in second with 26% market share and Alias/Wavefront and Softimage share third position with 9% each. Maxon holds 6% thanks to its strong European ties, and Nichimen and Electric Image make up the final 5%.

Market Share for Professional Animation (in units)

      This is a highly competitive market. As we enter into the next millennium, success will come to those companies that are able to expand their current market and user base. Some companies have outlined their initial plans for the future while others will be making more announcements in 2000. For example, Discreet is clearly looking at the Internet and corporate markets. Side Effects is looking to the Linux market, while Nichimen is looking to expand their focus beyond their traditional game developers into markets such as film, broadcast and visual simulation. Whatever their position, the market for professional 3D animation will continue to be an intriguing market to watch over the next 5 years.

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