Altamira Software was founded in Mill Valley, California by Dr. Alvy Ray Smith, Eric Lyons and Nicholas Clay in 1991.
This PC based software pioneered object-based drawing and image editing.
Composer was one of the first to bring important tools such as anti-aliased effects and image sprites to the desktop.
David Shantz of WildOutWest, LLC (www.wildoutwest.com) was responsible for branding, package design and the development of a series of image object libraries that were released along with the product.
Seed capital came from Autodesk and second-round financing from a team of venture capitalists (TVI) and private individuals.