Alias Systems Corporation

<h2 id="history">History</h2>
Alias Systems Corporation was founded by Stephen Bingham, Nigel McGrath, Susan McKenna, and David Springer in 1983. The company was initially funded by a $61,000 grant from the <a href="/facts/National_Research_Council_Canada/MXCsvmvD">National Research Council</a>, scientific research tax credits, and the founders personal funds.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1">1</a>
In 1984, while sitting in a Detroit restaurant during the <a href="/facts/SIGGRAPH/gmRKkIlG">SIGGRAPH</a> conference, the founders decided to name the company Alias because its only revenue came from Springer's work on an anti-aliasing program for <a href="/facts/Silicon_Graphics,_Inc./DKvkrfLX">Silicon Graphics, Inc.</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2">2</a>
In 1985, at SIGGRAPH the company released Alias 1, which used <a href="/facts/Cardinal_spline/S29nwRUF">cardinal splines</a> instead of <a href="/facts/Polygon_mesh/6WLD80ER">polygon meshes</a> with straight lines.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3">3</a>
In 1989, Alias 2 was used to produce <a href="/facts/The_Abyss/bHc6ad9y">The Abyss</a> which would later win the 1990 <a href="/facts/Academy_Award_for_Best_Visual_Effects/GgtNDdtQ">Academy Award for Best Visual Effects</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4">4</a>
In 1990, Alias raised about $35 million (equivalent to $70.13 million in 2023) through an <a href="/facts/Initial_public_offering/2NntDhrG">initial public offering</a>. That year, Alias also released new products named Studio, <a href="/facts/PowerAnimator/Wra62nce">PowerAnimator</a>, UpFront and purchased Spacemaker, separate and distinct to Spacemaker AI, which was purchased by <a href="/facts/Autodesk/6aydGFN5">Autodesk</a> in 2020.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5">5</a> PowerAnimator was used to produce <a href="/facts/Terminator_2:_Judgment_Day/6vTUIGKM">Terminator 2: Judgment Day</a> (1991), which won the 1992 <a href="/facts/Academy_Award_for_Best_Visual_Effects/GgtNDdtQ">Academy Award for Best Visual Effects</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6">6</a>
In October 1990, the company purchased Full Color Computing, Inc., a provider of high-end photo retouch and color prepress software.
In 1995, Alias begins developing <a href="/facts/Autodesk_Maya/0WC3BKPd">Maya</a>. Maya would later become the world's premier 3D animation software.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7">7</a>

On February 7, 1995, <a href="/facts/Wavefront_Technologies/5NR7C1vo">Wavefront</a>, SGI, and Alias merged to become Alias|Wavefront as a division of SGI. What partially motivated this merger was <a href="/facts/Microsoft/nGIDDXdx">Microsoft</a>'s purchase of Alias and Wavefront's competitor <a href="/facts/Softimage_(company)/RVDLeP21">Softimage</a>. SGI saw Microsoft's entrance into the market as a threat and merged Alias and Wavefront to compete with Microsoft. <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8">8</a> In 1998, Alias|Wavefront released Maya 1.0.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9">9</a>
On March 1, 2003, the company was honored by the <a href="/facts/Academy_of_Motion_Picture_Arts_and_Sciences/lnmVq6Uj">Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences</a> with an <a href="/facts/Academy_Award/CwTxYuNQ">Academy Award</a> (Oscar) for scientific and technical achievement for their development of Maya software. <a href="/facts/Wavefront_Technologies/5NR7C1vo">Wavefront Technologies</a> founders <a href="/facts/Bill_Kovacs/JelNo93L">Bill Kovacs</a> and Roy A. Hall previously received a 1997 Academy Award for the creative leadership (Kovacs) and the principal engineering (Hall) efforts which led to the <a href="/facts/The_Advanced_Visualizer/WUo7cC31">Wavefront Advanced Visualizer</a> computer graphics system.
Later, in July 2003, the company's name was changed from Alias|Wavefront to Alias Systems Corporation.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10">10</a> In June 2004, Silicon Graphics sold Alias to 
the <a href="/facts/Ontario_Teachers%27_Pension_Plan/sjLaj6Dz">Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan</a> and Accel-<a href="/facts/Kohlberg_Kravis_Roberts/YjhArDYo">KKR</a>, a technology-focused private equity investment firm, for <a href="/facts/United_States_dollar/naEEDUhC">US$</a>57.1 million.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11">11</a>
In September 2004, Alias acquired Kaydara, adding the company's character animation and motion editing products to Alias' line of software.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12">12</a> 
On October 4, 2005, <a href="/facts/Autodesk/6aydGFN5">Autodesk</a>, announced plans to acquire Alias.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13">13</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14">14</a> On January 10, 2006, Autodesk completed the acquisition for US$197 million in cash.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15">15</a>

<h2 id="products">Products</h2>
Alias' best-known product, the 3D modeling and animation package <a href="/facts/Autodesk_Maya/0WC3BKPd">Maya</a>, was delivered in 1998 and has released a major upgrade every 9–12 months. The last release made by Alias was Maya 7.0. Since the purchase by Autodesk all versions after 8.5 use a year-based naming convention, such as Maya2008.
Other products include; the industrial design package <a href="/facts/StudioTools/nGRK8z7M">StudioTools</a> (formerly known as Studio, or just "Alias"), which is used extensively in the automotive, aerospace and industrial design industries, a 2D drawing and sketching application called <a href="/facts/Autodesk_SketchBook_Pro/gH1BKM6G">SketchBook Pro</a>, and in 1992, an early Macintosh based 3D modelling and rendering package called Sketch!<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16">16</a> which was the precursor of Alias Maya. Sketch provided the basis of the core <a href="/facts/Non-uniform_rational_B-spline/MA0NjmeC">non-uniform rational B-spline</a> (NURBS) editing tools, which in turn was based on a product that the company bought, and its key developer went to work for Alias.

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.autodesk.com/aliasstudio">Autodesk AliasStudio product page</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.autodesk.com/alias">Autodesk Alias support page</a></li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20040411045330/http://www.alias.com/eng/about/history/">Company history</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1">Wayne E. Carlson (June 20, 2017). Computer Graphics and Computer Animation: A Retrospective Overview. The Ohio State University. <a href="https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/graphicshistory/chapter/8-3-alias-research/" target="_blank">https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/graphicshistory/chapter/8-3-alias-research/</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:2">Wayne E. Carlson (June 20, 2017). Computer Graphics and Computer Animation: A Retrospective Overview. The Ohio State University. <a href="https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/graphicshistory/chapter/8-3-alias-research/" target="_blank">https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/graphicshistory/chapter/8-3-alias-research/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:3">Wayne E. Carlson (June 20, 2017). Computer Graphics and Computer Animation: A Retrospective Overview. The Ohio State University. <a href="https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/graphicshistory/chapter/8-3-alias-research/" target="_blank">https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/graphicshistory/chapter/8-3-alias-research/</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:4">Wayne E. Carlson (June 20, 2017). Computer Graphics and Computer Animation: A Retrospective Overview. The Ohio State University. <a href="https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/graphicshistory/chapter/8-3-alias-research/" target="_blank">https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/graphicshistory/chapter/8-3-alias-research/</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:5">"Autodesk Acquires Spacemaker: Offers Architects AI-powered Generative Design to Explore Best Urban Design Options". Autodesk News. Retrieved 2023-10-21. <a href="https://adsknews.autodesk.com/en/pressrelease/autodesk-aquires-spacemaker/" target="_blank">https://adsknews.autodesk.com/en/pressrelease/autodesk-aquires-spacemaker/</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:6">Wayne E. Carlson (June 20, 2017). Computer Graphics and Computer Animation: A Retrospective Overview. The Ohio State University. <a href="https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/graphicshistory/chapter/8-3-alias-research/" target="_blank">https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/graphicshistory/chapter/8-3-alias-research/</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:7">Wayne E. Carlson (June 20, 2017). Computer Graphics and Computer Animation: A Retrospective Overview. The Ohio State University. <a href="https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/graphicshistory/chapter/8-3-alias-research/" target="_blank">https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/graphicshistory/chapter/8-3-alias-research/</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:8">Wayne E. Carlson (June 20, 2017). Computer Graphics and Computer Animation: A Retrospective Overview. The Ohio State University. <a href="https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/graphicshistory/chapter/8-3-alias-research/" target="_blank">https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/graphicshistory/chapter/8-3-alias-research/</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:9">Wayne E. Carlson (June 20, 2017). Computer Graphics and Computer Animation: A Retrospective Overview. The Ohio State University. <a href="https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/graphicshistory/chapter/8-3-alias-research/" target="_blank">https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/graphicshistory/chapter/8-3-alias-research/</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:10">Teggart, Donna; Kernahan, Heather (July 17, 2003). "Alias/Wavefront Celebrates 20th Anniversary and Announces Name Change to Alias" (Press release). Toronto: Alias. Business Wire. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2015. <a href="http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20030717005381/en/AliasWavefront-Celebrates-20th-Anniversary-Announces-Change-Alias#.VS04lPAYGDw" target="_blank">http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20030717005381/en/AliasWavefront-Celebrates-20th-Anniversary-Announces-Change-Alias#.VS04lPAYGDw</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:11">"Transaction Increases Focus on SGI Core Systems Business, Boosts Liquidity". Press release. April 15, 2004. Archived from the original on May 2, 2004. Retrieved September 1, 2013. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20040502054955/http://www.sgi.com/newsroom/press_releases/2004/april/alias.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20040502054955/http://www.sgi.com/newsroom/press_releases/2004/april/alias.html</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:12">"Alias to Acquire Kaydara". The Globe and Mail. August 9, 2004. Retrieved November 12, 2024. <a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/alias-to-acquire-kaydara/article20434321/" target="_blank">https://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/alias-to-acquire-kaydara/article20434321/</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:13">Cohen, Peter (October 4, 2005). "Autodesk acquires Alias". PC World. <a href="http://www.macworld.com/article/1047264/alias.html" target="_blank">http://www.macworld.com/article/1047264/alias.html</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:14">"Autodesk Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Alias". Press Release. Autodesk. October 4, 2005. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved September 7, 2013. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20131004223743/http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?linkID=14271593&id=5983502&siteID=123112" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20131004223743/http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?linkID=14271593&id=5983502&siteID=123112</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:15">January 2006, TVTechnology 13 (13 January 2006). "Autodesk completes acquisition of Alias". TVTechnology. Retrieved 2021-03-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) <a href="https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/autodesk-completes-acquisition-of-alias" target="_blank">https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/autodesk-completes-acquisition-of-alias</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:16">"Alias Sketch! v1.5 - Macintosh Repository". www.macintoshrepository.org. Retrieved 2017-07-24. <a href="https://www.macintoshrepository.org/2702-alias-sketch-v1-5" target="_blank">https://www.macintoshrepository.org/2702-alias-sketch-v1-5</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
</ol>

Alias Systems Corporation open-in-new

Alias Systems Corporation