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GenArts Inc. has added another visual effect to its portfolio, buying St. Louis, Mo.-based Wondertouch LLC and its particleIllusion suite of digital animation products.
The widely used particleIllusion tool is designed to let animators quickly create complex particle effects, which include natural effects like explosions, rainstorms and smoke, as well as Tinkerbell-type fairy dust trails.
“That technology really fills a gap in our technology portfolio,” said GenArts CEO Katherine Hays. “We haven’t had particles technology. This acquisition gives us a springboard into that area.”
Hays said GenArts also sees the Wondertouch acquisition as an entrée into the SMB and prosumer animator segments traditionally served by Wondertouch.
GenArts typically serves Hollywood production studios and other deep-pocketed customers. Earlier this year, the company announced a software development partnership with Lucasfilm Ltd.
Wondertouch, meanwhile, has made inroads with developers of video games, TV commercials, and screen effects used in live and televised sporting events, said founder Alan Lorence. As part of the acquisition, Lorence will join Cambridge-based GenArts as a senior engineer.
The deal, of which the terms were not disclosed, is the second of its kind this year for GenArts, which makes digital visual effects software for film, television and video game industries. Earlier this year, the company bought UK-based SpeedSix Software Ltd., makers of the Monsters and Raptors visual effects plug-ins.
Hays declined to disclose the number of employees at Wondertouch, but said Lorence is the only staffer to come over to GenArts, calling the Wondertouch founder a “visionary” in the field of particle effects technology.
Wondertouch and particleIllusion will continue to operate as stand-alone brands, GenArts says.
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