Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Image Metrics Buys Avatar Technology Firm

Santa Monica-based Image Metrics, a publicly held developer of facial animation technology for the entertainment industry, said today that it has acquired Character-FX, a firm which develops avatar creation technology. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. Character-FX was created by John Riggs, a 3D animator, for facial rigging in Autodesk Maya and 3ds Max. As part of the acquisition, Image Metrics said it will integrate the technology into its animation software, and has also hired Riggs as Director, Avatar Development for the firm. Riggs has worked at Luma Pictures, Digital Domain, and Threshold Entertainment. Image Metrics went public via a reverse merger in March, and is now listed OTCBB.

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