NVIDIA unveiled a new beta program for the Company?s Gelato 2.1 final-frame rendering software, which includes next-generation features such as texture baking, enhanced raytracing performance, and improved lighting functionality for 3D rendering. Coinciding with the announcement of the Gelato 2.1 beta is of the launch of Gelato Zone, a new online community for artists and animators utilizing NVIDIA Gelato final-frame rendering software for 3D content creation. Gelato 2.1 rendering software will be demonstrated at the NVIDIA booth #1017 at SIGGRAPH 2006, August 1-3 at the Boston Convention Center.

Gelato software is GPU-accelerated, final-frame rendering software for the creation of quality computer-generated images. Originally developed to render film and broadcast visual effects and animation, Gelato software is suited for any 3D software application that requires advanced rendering such as game development, CAD, industrial design, and architecture. Gelato software ships with plug-ins for Autodesk Maya and Autodesk 3ds Max.



New features in Gelato 2.1 software include:

- Easier texture baking and full support for Maya bake sets
- Faster raytracing?an average 30% improvement over Gelato 2.0 with a smaller memory footprint for dense polygon meshes
- Improved stereo rendering features a new off-axis projection mode and a better anaglyph (red/blue) display in the image viewer
- A modified Mango plug-in supports Maya 8, 64-bit Maya, additional Maya shader nodes and volumetric effects from spotlight cones, texture bake sets and rendering of components
- Windows 64-bit support for Gelato Pro rendering software
Powerful Sorbetto technology relighting feature in Gelato Pro software now offers interactive adjustment of camera parameters, including depth-of-field and stereo controls, and support for dynamic shadows

Gelato 2.1 software is currently in beta testing, with commercial release planned for Fall 2006. As with earlier versions of Gelato software, the basic version of Gelato 2.1 software will be available at no charge to users. The Gelato 2.1 Pro software, which incorporates advanced scalability and support features for advanced production pipelines, is available for purchase.

Gelato 2.1 and Gelato Pro software currently support the Windows XP and Linux operating systems and run on NVIDIA GeForce 5200 or higher graphics, or any NVIDIA Quadro FX solution. Gelato Pro software, however, is certified and supported only on NVIDIA Quadro FX boards.

Gelato software is available for download at www.nvidia.com/gelato; Gelato Pro software is priced at $1500 and available from NVIDIA at http://store.nvidia.com and from authorized regional resellers. Maintenance and support contract renewals are $300 per license at the end of the first year of ownership.

Those interested in joining the Gelato 2.1 software beta program should email gelatoinfo@nvidia.com.