Intel Corp. and DreamWorks Animation SKG on Tuesday announced they have formed a strategic alliance aimed at revolutionizing 3D filmmaking technology, beginning with Monsters vs. Aliens, which is slated for release in Q1 2009. Earlier DreamWorks used AMD Opteron microprocessors in its render-farms, but the pact with Intel means that the studio will switch to chips from Intel. In addition, the studio seems to be switching to Intel Larrabee graphics

“Our objective is to significantly heighten the movie going experience using DreamWorks Animation's ground-breaking 3D filmmaking tools. Technology plays a significant role in enabling our artists to tell great stories. By utilizing Intel's industry-leading computing products, we will create a new and innovative way for moviegoers to experience our films in 3D,” said Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief exec of DreamWorks Animation.

The strategic alliance will take advantage of Intel’s visual computing products and tools and DreamWorks Animation’s expertise in content creation to advance the in-theater entertainment experience. Intel’s visual computing group develops code-named Larrabee graphics chips, which may mean that DreamWorks will use not only Intel Xeon multi processor units (MPUs), but also Intel Larrabee graphics processing units (GPUs).

DreamWorks Animation has committed to producing all of its feature films in stereoscopic 3D beginning next year.

To meet the increased demands of creating 3D animated feature films, Intel will provide DreamWorks Animation with the latest high-performance processing technologies, including future chips with multiple processing cores. Intel software engineers will help to optimize DreamWorks’ applications for these advanced processors. By converting its computing infrastructure to an Intel-based system, DreamWorks Animation will enable its artists to work with new, state-of-the-art 3D authoring tools to render higher quality images more quickly and to modify them with greater ease.

“This alliance unites the best in computer-generated moviemaking and computing performance to deliver a new level of in-theater entertainment. The high level of inventiveness at DreamWorks Animation has positioned it as a leader in entertainment technology, and incorporating the Intel platform allows them to deliver incredibly rich digital 3-D content to the big screen – raising the bar for the industry as a whole,” said Paul Otellini, Intel president and chief executive officer.