Adobe Acquires SkyBox Virtual Reality Technology For Creative Cloud

Acquisitions in the virtual reality space have become increasingly common recently and Adobe is the latest company to bolster its roster. Adobe announced Wednesday it had acquired Skybox technology from VR applications developer Mettle.

Skybox plugins are used in Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects to help users with 360-video and virtual reality production. Adobe plans to integrate these plugins into future releases of both programs.

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In a statement announcing the acquisition, Steven Warner, Adobe vice president for digital video and audio, said it underscores the importance VR will have for future Adobe releases.

“We believe making virtual-reality content should be as easy as possible for creators. The acquisition of Mettle SkyBox technology allows us to deliver a more highly integrated VR editing and effects experience to the film and video community,” Warner said. “Editing in 360/VR requires specialized technology, and as such, this is a critical area of investment for Adobe, and we’re thrilled Chris Bobotis has joined us to help lead the charge forward.”

Mettle, which is based in Montreal, has focused on developing plugins for Adobe products and the developer launched its Skybox toolset in early 2015. As part of the deal, Mettle co-founder Chris Bobotis will join Adobe and is expected to focus on honing Adobe’s virtual reality tools.

“Our relationship started with Adobe in 2010 when we created FreeForm for After Effects, and has been evolving ever since. This is the next big step in our partnership,” Bobtis said in a statement. “I’ve always believed in developing software for artists, by artists, and I’m looking forward to bringing new technology and integration that will empower creators with the digital tools they need to bring their creative vision to life.”

The acquisition is the latest move for Adobe as the company aims to improve its VR offerings for creatives and professional users. Last November, Adobe launched a handful of tools designed for VR production, including the 3-D design app Project Felix and other virtual reality-focused updates for Adobe Premiere.

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Adobe also isn’t the only company who’s made an effort to acquire others in the virtual reality space. In the past year, Google has been aggressive about acquiring studios and individual developers in the VR space, including Job Simulator and Rick And Morty: Virtual Rick-ality developer Owlchemy Labs.

The company has also dipped its toes into the same enterprise territory as Adobe, partnering to help launch the high-end Yi Halo VR camera earlier this year. As virtual reality headsets try to move from being a niche interest into a more popular medium for interactive video, Adobe likely wants to ensure that it remains a strong option for creatives and studios who want to produce videos and other experiences built in VR.