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Tag: Autodesk

  • AI transforms storytelling as FICCI FRAMES sparks a creative dialogue

    AI transforms storytelling as FICCI FRAMES sparks a creative dialogue

    MUMBAI: Artificial intelligence didn’t just enter the chat, it rewrote the entire script. At FicciFrames 2025, the session The AI-Powered Media Revolution brought together some of the sharpest minds shaping India’s digital future. What unfolded was not just a tech talk, but a lively, layered dialogue on how AI is blurring the lines between human creativity and machine intelligence.

    Moderated by NDTV’s Abira Dhar, the panel featured Kamolika Gupta Peres, vice president at Autodesk; Shweta Bajpai, director of global business group at Meta India; Bharath Ram, CEO of JioStar; and Siddharth Shekhar, director of Youtube and partnerships at Google India. Together, they painted a compelling portrait of an industry in flux, one that’s shifting from “lights, camera, action” to “data, algorithm, imagination.”

    Bharath Ram opened with a distinctly Indian optimism. “India doesn’t just adopt technology, it adapts it,” he said, highlighting how JioStar’s AI innovation is home-grown and hyperlocal. “Our teams think in Hinglish, dream in code, and build for Bharat.” With AI now powering recommendation engines, dubbing tools, and predictive analytics, he said the focus is on making tech intuitive for every kind of viewer from rural smartphone users to urban binge-watchers.

    Meta’s Shweta Bajpai brought the creator’s perspective, describing AI as “the invisible hand that now guides discovery.” Over 50 per cent of what users see on Instagram today is AI-recommended, she shared, adding that engagement time is up by 7 per cent on Instagram and 6 per cent on Facebook. “It’s not just about clicks anymore,” Bajpai said. “It’s about chemistry between people and the content they didn’t even know they wanted.” She noted that thanks to AI, small-town entrepreneurs and regional creators are finding audiences that once felt unreachable. “Creators from Surat, Kochi, and Indore are building national fandoms powered by algorithms that understand local flavour.”

    Google India’s Siddharth Shekhar widened the lens, calling AI “the great equaliser” for India’s next billion users. “Technology can’t just be smart, it must be inclusive,” he said. Google’s partnership with the Maharashtra government, using AI to improve agriculture, education, and healthcare outcomes, exemplifies that mission. He also revealed that YouTube has paid Indian creators over Rs 21,000 crore in the past three years, a staggering indicator of how the creator economy has matured. “Every vlogger, musician and stand-up comic is now a micro-entrepreneur,” he said.

    Autodesk’s Kamolika Gupta Peres brought an artist’s insight into the mix, describing how AI is democratising design. “Today, a student in Nashik with a laptop can create visuals that once needed an entire studio,” she said. AI tools, she explained, are not replacing artists but accelerating their ideas. “It’s like having an assistant who never sleeps and never runs out of coffee.”

    But amid all the tech euphoria, the panel didn’t ignore the elephant in the algorithm ethics. Deepfakes, misinformation and bias in machine learning models were hot topics. Shekhar noted that Google’s SynthID watermark system helps label synthetic or AI-generated content, a key step towards building public trust. Bajpai added that Meta now tags AI-generated posts and allows users to flag potential fakes, a move designed to balance creativity with accountability.

    As the discussion veered towards the emotional limits of AI, Bajpai dropped a memorable line: “AI understands patterns; humans understand irony.” The audience chuckled, but the point stuck creativity still needs a pulse. Peres echoed that sentiment, reminding the room that technology is a tool, not the tale. “AI can help tell stories faster, but the human imagination still gives those stories heart,” she said.

    The conversation turned lively again when Dhar jokingly asked whether AI might someday win a Filmfare Award. Ram was quick to reply, “Only if it learns how to deal with Indian censorship!” Laughter rippled through the room, but behind the humour lay a serious undertone the growing need to rethink content regulation in the AI era.

    As Ficci Frames marked its 25th year, the panel felt symbolic, a moment where India’s creative and tech powerhouses came together to imagine the next quarter-century. From scriptwriting bots to personalised ad targeting and real-time dubbing, AI is already changing how entertainment is produced and consumed.

    Still, as Shekhar concluded, “The future of storytelling will be co-written part human, part machine.” Or as Dhar signed off wryly, “If my phone starts recommending my next question, I’ll know AI has truly taken over.”

    From boardrooms to bedrooms, algorithms are now the new auteurs. And if FICCI Frames 2025 proved anything, it’s that the story of Indian media’s future just like AI itself has only begun to write its first draft.

  • Ajay Devgn’s NY VFXWAALA has been honoured with the ‘Collaboration Excellence’ Award by Autodesk

    Ajay Devgn’s NY VFXWAALA has been honoured with the ‘Collaboration Excellence’ Award by Autodesk

    Mumbai: Ajay Devgn’s VFX company, NY VFXWAALA, has made a significant impact on enriching the cinematic experience with state-of-the-art technologies. They have been part of several blockbuster projects such as Ponniyan Selvan 1 and 2, Bholaa, Jawaan, Drishyam2, Sooryavanshi, Tu Jhooti Mai Makkar, Tanhaji:The Unsung Warrior, Sardaar Udham , Gangubai Kathiawadi, Runway34, Vaarisu, Waltair Variyya among others, which have earned immense appreciation for their scale.

    In recognition of their consistent efforts to enhance visual experiences, Autodesk, the world-renowned software company, has awarded NY VFXWAALA the prestigious ‘Collaboration Excellence’ award at the Autodesk Imagine Awards 2023. This accolade underscores the outstanding synergy between Autodesk’s innovative software solutions and NY VFXWAALA’s visionary approach to visual effects.

    This recognition highlights the power of collaboration, demonstrating that when technology and artistry unite, extraordinary results are achieved. It celebrates Autodesk and NY VFXWAALA’s joint contribution to shaping the creative future.

     

  • Red Chillies and Autodesk team’s gift for SRK

    Red Chillies and Autodesk team’s gift for SRK

    MUMBAI: Redchillies.VFX has been known for its innovation and excellence in special effects. But they have never shied away from taking the excellence one step ahead. As a special gift to the king khan of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan, Redchillies.VFX and Autodesk India came together to make the world’s first life size 3D printed model in his signature pose.

     

    “It’s the first 3D printed life-size model done by redchillies.VFX and Autodesk team. It is overwhelming how technology has gone forward. I am grateful to be a part of this amazing technology. This is outstanding and I am dying to show it to my kids. Its silver and shiny statue of mine in my classic pose. I want to thank Keitan, Harry, Red Chillies VFX team and Autodesk team who have worked on it. It’s the figure of work I have done for all these years,” says Khan.

     

    This life size model has been designed in India and is the first of its kind around the world.    

     

  • Autodesk launches professional video editing software

    Autodesk launches professional video editing software

    MUMBAI: Autodesk has announced that the new Autodesk Smoke 2013, professional video editing software is now shipping.

    Smoke 2013 is designed to meet the needs of professional editors working in video production, corporate video, online video and other competitive creative environments where productions require editing and effects.

    The new Smoke offers editing and effects within a single, efficient timeline-based workflow, a sleek user interface and runs on a wide variety of Apple MacBook Pro and Apple iMac computers.

    Autodesk Media and Entertainment VP strategy and marketing Mark Strassman said, “The anticipation for Smoke, since its thrilling announcement at the National Association of Broadcasters convention in Vegas in April, has continued to build throughout the community of creative professionals. As a leader in high-end effects and 3D, Autodesk is committed to making that technology increasingly available to a new generation, and the new Smoke is case in point. The Smoke team has fielded thousands of inquiries and product recommendations in the process of developing Smoke 2013. I’m so excited to announce it’s here.”

    New features which grew directly out of user recommendations include: ability to drag and drop a clip from the source player into the timeline; ability to expand/collapse the timeline FX pipeline area; and redesign and streamlining of the UI and interface elements to speed up workflows.

    Key Features
    • New Smoke User Interface (UI) — An intuitive all-in-one creative workflow that combines track-based editorial, industry-standard
    editing conventions and proven Autodesk creative tools
    • ConnectFX — Powerful node-based compositing inside the timeline allows high-end effects and advanced compositing without leaving the editorial environment
    • Creative Tools — A toolset with proven high-end finishing tools, Action for true 3D compositing, the Colour Warper for professional
    grading and color matching, the Master Keyer for one-click chroma keying and stereoscopic 3D editing and effects
    • Flexible System Requirements — The product runs on most Apple iMac and MacBook Pro systems using high-bandwidth Thunderbolt storage and IO bringing true high-end editing and effects to flexible desktop and mobile workflows

    Autodesk revamped Smoke to address a growing niche for editors who need to do more than just edit. In a recent survey of over 300 active users of the trial download, over half of which were new to Smoke, many respondents called out the benefits of having an all-in-one package that integrates editing and effects.

  • Pirated software worth $2.1 mn seized in 2006 raids

    Pirated software worth $2.1 mn seized in 2006 raids

    BANGALORE: The total value of software seized in 2006 in the more than 200 anti-piracy raids carried out across the country is $2.1 million.

    The raids were conducted by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) and its member companies collectively and individually. BSA has vowed to step up enforcement actions in 2007 to further bring down piracy rates.

    Jeffrey J Hardee, BSA vice president and regional director, Asia-Pacific, said, “In over 200 actions that have been conducted by BSA and its member companies in 2006, we had found widespread use and sale of pirated software across Indian cities. With the high software piracy rate in India, it is important to highlight efforts of the industry in combating piracy through enforcement.”

    The BSA and its members have carried out raids in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Hyderabad in 2006.

    As per the findings of the BSA-IDC study of 2005, the rate of PC software piracy in 2005 was 72 per cent. According to the statistics, the Indian software industry lost revenue to the tune of of $566 million in 2005.

     
    Hardee added, “BSA adopts a three pronged strategy i.e. spreading the awareness on the perils of piracy, training and education of users including use of specialized tools like software asset management (SAM) and enforcement, in addressing software piracy around the globe. Whilst enforcement is a last resort, it is an important part of our approach as it serves to underline the seriousness of the matter.”

    Pirated software that has been seized includes those from Adobe, Autodesk, McAfee, Microsoft and Symantec.

     
    The BSA maintains a close working relationship with the government and industry associations in India such as Nasscom. According to an economic impact study conducted by IDC, if the piracy rate is reduced by 10 points by 2009, India could benefit with an additional 115,000 new IT jobs; an additional $ 5.9 billion pumped into its economy and increased tax revenues of $ 386 million.

  • UTV to launch second feature film division ‘UTVPost’ in October

    UTV to launch second feature film division ‘UTVPost’ in October

    MUMBAI: UTV, integrated media and entertainment company, will launch its second post production set-up UTVPost in October. UTVPost will be based in Mumbai and is primarily the feature film extension of UTV’s signature post-production studio, USL.

    UTV founder member and director Deven Khote will spearhead the 60-member team of UTVPost and USL. UTVPost is digitally linked to UTV Toons, one of the country’s animation hubs. It comprises of a team of more than 500 skilled artists, animators and compositors, with expertise in all forms of animation and computer graphics.

    The facility is geared, and professionally staffed, to handle the entire post-production chain – from Telecine (with KeyCode) through to Digital Film recording for feature films, informs an official release.

    At UTV’s new 6000 sq feet Andheri studio, the company has configured a comprehensive projection-based 2Kplus DI (Digital Intermediate), VFX (Visual Effects), and CGI pipeline. UTVPost claims to be equipped with state-of-the-art technology from Arri, AutoDesk, Avid, FilmLight, HP, JVC and Sony.

  • Microsoft invites the world to create its own Xbox 360 console games

    Microsoft invites the world to create its own Xbox 360 console games

    MUMBAI: In the 30 years of video game development, the art of making console games has been reserved for those with big projects, big budgets and the backing of big game labels.
    Now software major Microsoft is bringing this art to the masses with a new set of tools, called XNA Game Studio Express, based on the XNA platform.

    XNA Game Studio Express will democratise game development by delivering the necessary tools to hobbyists, students, indie developers and studios alike to help them bring their creative game ideas
    to life while nurturing game development talent, collaboration and sharing that will benefit the entire industry.

    During his keynote presentation a few days ago at Gamefest 2006, a Microsoft game developer event hosted by Microsoft in Seattle, Microsoft GM game developer group Chris Satchell announced details of the new technology, which will be broadly available this holiday season.

    XNA Game Studio Express will be available for free to anyone with a Windows XP-based PC and will provide them with Microsoft’s next-generation platform for game development. By joining a ‘creators club’ for an annual subscription fee of $99 users will be able to build, test and share their games on Xbox 360 and access a wealth of materials to help speed the game development progress. This represents the first significant opportunity for novice developers to make a console game without a significant investment in resources.

    During his keynote, Satchell talked about academic institutions that are lining up to include XNA Game Studio Express in their course offerings.

    Also showcased was the work of key XNA supporters Autodesk and GarageGames. Through the Microsoft XNA relationship with Autodesk, the leading provider of 3-D authoring software, game developers and enthusiasts can now more easily incorporate content into XNA Game Studio Express via Autodesk’s FBX file exchange format.

    Joining Satchell on stage was GarageGames president Mark Frohnmayer who showcased ports of its next-generation Torque tools and technology over to the XNA Game Studio Express platform.

    By providing a development environment based on Visual Studio Express and .NET that simplifies the integration and use of game content, XNA Game Studio Express makes game development easier to accomplish for smaller projects, strongly increasing the chance for great game ideas to make it out of the concept stage and into the hands of gamers everywhere.

    The XNA Game Studio Express beta will be available from 30 August 2006, as a free download on Windows XP, for development on the Windows XP platform. XNA Game Studio Express will give anyone with a Windows XP-based PC access to a unified development tool that liberates the creation of great Xbox 360 and Windows XP-compatible games, providing a new alternative to the
    existing multithousand-dollar development kits that many console games require. The final version of XNA Game Studio Express will be available this holiday season.

    Satchell said, “XNA Game Studio Express will ignite innovation and accelerate prototyping, forever changing the way games are developed. By unlocking retail Xbox 360 consoles for community-created games, we are ushering in a new era of cross-platform games based on the XNA platform. We are looking forward to the day when all the resulting talent-sharing and creativity transforms into a thriving community of user-created games on Xbox 360.”

    Not only will XNA Game Studio Express turn the community into creators, but a second XNA toolset geared toward game development professionals is scheduled to be available next year, fundamentally changing the way commercial games are developed.

    From students at colleges, universities and high schools of the future to the proverbial “guys in the garage,” Microsoft XNA Game Studio Express will liberate anyone with a great game idea to create titles for Xbox 360 and Windows XP simultaneously. More than 10 universities and their game development schools — including University of Southern California, Georgia Tech College of Computing and Southern Methodist University Guildhall — have already pledged to integrate console game development and XNA Game Studio Express into their curricula for the first time, and Xbox 360 will be the only console at the center of all coursework.