Autodesk Kynapse 7 Artificial Intelligence Middleware Now Shipping

Autodesk has announced that its Autodesk Kynapse 7 artificial intelligence (AI) middleware, introduced at the Game Developer's Conference (GDC) 2010, is now shipping. Version 7 is easier to use with faster pathdata generation, improved tuning and profiling, simplified integration and configuration, and certain off-the-shelf behaviors. Internal tests show Kynapse 7 middleware performs navigation mesh generation 15 to 60 times faster than Kynapse 6.*

"Studios invest in Autodesk Kynapse to help make engineering efforts more efficient, which enables them to invest more resources in the areas of development that can make their games fun and unique," said Marc Stevens, Autodesk vice president, Games. "Kynapse 7 is faster, simpler and more responsive, freeing up even more valuable programming resources for areas of development with more impact."

To evaluate Kynapse 7, visit http://www.autodesk.com/kynapse-trial . An "Intro to Autodesk Kynapse" demonstration video is available on Autodesk's YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/autodesk.

 

Kynapse 3D Pathfinding

 

New Feature Highlights

Redesigned data generation from customer experience: Kynapse 7 has a redesigned AI data generation system that makes it faster, simpler and easier to validate. With navigation mesh generation 15 to 60 times faster,* Kynapse is now more responsive to today's production environments in which many artists and designers work in parallel. Customers can now input mesh data and Kynapse automatically generates the AI data.

 

Kynapse Crowd Simulation

 

Navigation mesh adoption: Kynapse 7 has navigation meshes that help to enhance spatial reasoning as well as smoothing and steering of the pathfinding. Nonplayer characters (NPCs) now have awareness of their range of motion with nearest ground distance or shortest distance to collision.

Greater control of integration and configuration: Kynapse 7 offers improvements to the game developer's toolkit. Interface Objects enable programmers to exercise greater control over communication between engine and middleware. Easier-to-use Configuration Objects also help to reduce the risk of errors during setup.

Off-the-shelf behaviors for faster implementation and prototyping: Teams can begin prototyping and development faster with packaged PathObjects: elevators, ladders, doors and some behavioral elements for motion and crowds. Kynapse 7 offers a unified approach for supporting dynamic objects in destructible and dynamic terrains.

 

Kynapse Pathfinding in Dynamic Environment

 

Improved tuning and profiling: Kynapse 7 offers a tool for performance tuning. Developers can smooth CPU consumption over time to avoid peaks with programmer set boundaries

About Autodesk Kynapse

Autodesk Kynapse game middleware is a leading AI solution for game development and the creation of real-time simulations for NPCs. Production proven in more than 100 titles, this high-performance game AI technology helps simulate advanced dynamic 3D pathfinding, environment perception, and large-crowd movement in complex terrains. It also helps simulate spatial reasoning and team coordination, and delivers efficient production tools that help streamline game creation.

*The internal test was performed using a 2X Intel® Xeon® E5530 2.40 GHz 12 GB processor with Windows® 7 Enterprise 64-bit operating system. Results from reenactments of the internal test may vary.

Autodesk and Kynapse are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. © 2010 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2010 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

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