TIBURON, Calif. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — June 18, 2009 — Jon Peddie Research (JPR) the industry's research and consulting firm for graphics and multimedia, has just released a new report on the 3D modeling and animation market is poised for growth. The same software that is used primarily film/TV production and game development is also being put to work for rendering and visualization in architecture, manufacture, and science and is on the verge of major breakthroughs due to demand from new vertical markets as well as hobbyist and consumer sectors.

Like all others, the 3DM&A industry is going through a period of contraction and consolidation. However, as difficult as it is for all participants, the JPR study points out that this is often a prelude to growth.

		2007		2008		2009		2010		2011		2012		2013
Worldwide forecast 3D Modeling and Animation ($M US dollars) CAGR – 6.8%, 2007 to 2013		219		237		221		238		262.05		293.49		328.71

The 3D Modeling and Animation market includes software tools that are used for TV and movie special effects, creating content for games, product design, and for the web. Over the years the industry has grown steadily, but the 3DM&A tools are still expensive and used primarily by professionals.

Mainstream Markets Open Up for 3DM&A

Beyond traditional industries, new markets are also opening up for more casual users of 3D modeling and animation tools, defying barriers posed by high cost and complexity. Free 3DM&A tools are becoming available and millions of copies are being downloaded every year suggesting a pent-up demand for easy-to-use 3D tools. In addition, there is a hard core of hobbyists and casual users who are using 3D tools even though the learning curve is steep. New distribution models are just now opening up including online worlds, YouTube, MyToons, the Daz communities, and more. By the end of this decade, new growth will come in mainstream markets, the report says.