With an aim to bring more video and motion graphics tools to creative cloud, Adobe has acquired 3D texture firm Allegorithmic. Allegorithmic's key product is Substance, a subscription-based suite of texture design tools widely used by video game creators, visual effects artists and graphic designers. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Adobe said it plans to integrate Allegorithmic's tools, via subscription, into various parts of Creative Cloud. Allegorithmic CEO and founder, Sebastien Deguy, will take a leadership role as VP of 3D and Immersive, driving Adobe's broader 3D design efforts.
The company said that Creative Cloud will benefit from Allegorithmic tools that are already helping top gaming, entertainment, retail, and other brands create the textures and materials that give 3D content detail and realism. Allegorithmic's Substance family of tools are used in the vast majority of AAA games, including Call of Duty, Assassin's Creed, and Forza. They're increasingly being used for visual effects and animation in entertainment.
On the Allegorithmic side, Adobe said it plans to accelerate the company's product roadmap and go-to-market strategy to reach enterprises, SMBs and consumers. Allegorithmic already has a substantial client base spread across gaming, film, television, e-commerce, automotive, architecture, design and advertising. Some of the big brands using its Substance tools include Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, BMW, Ikea, and Louis Vuitton.
“Historically Adobe has provided solutions that support photography, illustration, animation, video and 3D design so this is consistent with their investment in creative tools,” said Christopher Ross, senior analyst for Gartner. “Adobe is already actively supporting the augmented reality creation space through the Adobe Dimension product and Project Aero. As with other Adobe acquisitions, it will be important to watch how effectively and seamlessly the Allegorithmic is integrated into the Adobe Creative Suite.”
For Adobe, the purchase lines up with its continued investment in creative tools, as well as its acquisition-based approach to bringing new technologies into its portfolio.
The revamped Adobe DC also brings an expansion of Adobe Sign and touch-enabled PDF editing on mobile devices. The software giant said the cloud update aims to serve the roughly 50 percent of consumers that say they still prefer to receive brand offers via email. The features draw upon Adobe's Sensei AI framework to let businesses analyze customer datasets, improve mobile experiences, and create custom data models.
“We're committed to ensuring that Creative Cloud customers have the tools they need to shape their creative vision in a future in which 3D content is increasingly important. I know that the addition of Allegorithmic will further that goal,” said Scott Belsky, chief product officer and executive vice president, Creative Cloud.
