Computer Graphics World articles from January 2004

Computer Graphics World archives from January 2004

That's edutainment!(editor's note)
January 1, 2004... If you've ever played Math Blaster or any educational game like it, you know that this genre of software leaves much to be desired. Games such as these simply add shoot-'em-up action to simple drill-and-practice models. Rarely do they take...

Genemation unveils GenHead.(modeling)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Genemation has announced the availability of GenHead, its first face-synthesis middleware tool. GenHead is targeted at game developers, as well as professionals in feature-film, postproduction, and Web-authoring markets. Thanks to its...

Apple announces G5 innovations.(video)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Apple Computer has introduced several of its latest product releases, including the new Power Mac G5 and G5-optimized versions of its Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, and Shake. Apple has amended its Power Mac family with a new...

Boxx launches HD editing system.(workstation)(Boxx Technologies HDBoxx )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Boxx Technologies, maker of digital content creation systems, has premiered the HDBoxx [pro]. An HD nonlinear editing system, the HDBoxx [pro] ships complete with an impressive software bundle, including Adobe Systems' Premiere Pro, Encore...

Matrox introduces RT.X10 software suite.(video)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Matrox Video Products Group has debuted RT.X10 Suite, a software bundle combining the company's professional, real-time editing and DVD-authoring platform with Adobe Systems' Premiere Pro, Encore DVD, and Audition. Carrying a $699 price...

Nvidia card powers Apple's new iMac.(graphics cards)(Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Nvidia has revealed that its GeForce FX 5200 Ultra GPU, also powering Apple Computer's 17-inch iMac, brings cinematic computing to the new 20-inch iMac. The Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 is capable of delivering more than one billion textured pixels...

The scope of a sequel.(gaming)(Deus Ex: Invisible War )
January 1, 2004... When Deus Ex debuted in 2000, it received 35 Game of the Year awards, thanks in no small measure to its enormous depth and breadth. As game developers at Ion Storm set out to expand the game even further in the sequel, Deus Ex: Invisible War,...

Hip-hop appeal with a comic-book feel.(broadcast)(done by RhinoFX)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Commissioned to create a TV commercial for Lugz shoes, director Arman Matin and his team at RhinoFX were faced with the challenge of developing a CGI style and concept that not only appealed to the urban, hip-hop culture, but also presented the...

Tools for tracking.(View point: DV)
January 1, 2004... Executive producer Brian Drewes of Brickyard VFX, a boutique visual effects house in Boston, remembers the circumstances that first brought boujou, a 3D camera-tracking software program from 2d3, into his facility two years ago. At the...

The big and the Smeagol: Weta Digital revives Gollum (aka Smeagol) for The Return of the King and sends thousands of CG Orcs, horses, and giant creatures to battle.(Film)(Cover Story)
January 1, 2004... The bold attempt to film J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fable of Middle-earth has been a resounding success. Already, the first two films in director Peter Jackson's rousing Lord of the Rings trilogy from New Line Cinema have become classics--very...

Hat tricks: with rhythm & hues handling the bulk of the work, seven studios use CG tools to shape storybook effects for The Cat in the Hat.(Film)
January 1, 2004... Dr. Seuss created storytelling history with his magical little book, The Cat in the Hat, which, famously, uses only 220 words to tell the absurd tale of a mischievous cat that shakes up the house for two bored children on a rainy day, and then...

Part II: making the Matrix: Battle plan: the Matrix directors previz the high-rev action of Revolutions.(Previz)
January 1, 2004... Last month, we presented an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the digital wizardry behind The Matrix Revolutions. This month, we examine the digital planning process for those effects. a range of popular movie franchises has released...

CSI: Dallas: in this crime scene investigation of the Kennedy assassination, a computer simulation dispels the persistent conspiracy theory.(Broadcast)
January 1, 2004... Who shot President John F. Kennedy? Four decades after the tragedy in Dallas, it's still one of the most enduring questions of our time. Despite the findings of two major governmental investigations, many Americans today still doubt that...

Million dollar movies: art meets commerce in a unique filmmaking competition that embraces the concept of branded entertainment.(Video)
January 1, 2004... It was a huge year for Andrew Mudge. Twelve months ago, Mudge was one of the hundreds of short filmmakers who pursue their moviemaking passion in relative obscurity. Although his short films have won their share of awards over the years from...

Art Studio: Jen Zen.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... When computer processing speeds improved to the point that artist Jen Grey could paint as fast with a mouse as she could with a brush, she quit mural painting and assumed the persona of her alter ego, Jen Zen, a cyber hyperrealist. "Why climb...

Avid Media Composer Adrenaline: Adrenaline receives a hefty upgrade.(Video Editing)(Hardware Review)(Product/Service Evaluation)
January 1, 2004... With Media Composer Adrenaline, Avid, for the first time, exploits today's multi-gigahertz CPUs rather than relying on dedicated hardware cards. At the same time, Avid has dropped prices considerably. Its Media Composer Adrenaline replaces the...

IBM IntelliStation Z Pro: IBM offers a high-performance system.(Workstation)(Hardware Review)(Product/Service Evaluation)
January 1, 2004... The IBM IntelliStation has become a popular sight in studios around the world. The machine always has been a sturdy and reliable performer. The IntelliStation Z Pro offers a number of new features, including faster processors, Gigabit Ethernet,...

DreamScape and AfterBurn: plug-ins add power to 3ds max.(Effects Plug-ins)
January 1, 2004... Sitni Sati upgraded DreamScape to Version 2.0 and AfterBurn to 3.0. Available for purchase from Turbo Squid, both new editions are tightly integrated into the Discreet 3ds max core program, working hand-in-glove with its many components. ...

Digital and downloadable.(Effects)(Digital Film Tools' 55mm 3.0)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... [Win-Mac] Described as an offshoot of Digital FilmWorks, a full-service visual effects facility in Los Angeles, Digital Film Tools has unveiled 55mm 3.0. The suite of plug-ins comprises a collection of digital optical filters for use with...

Discreet debut.(Effects)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... [Irix] Discreet has upgraded its inferno, flame, and flint compositing and visual effects software solutions. Discreet's inferno 5.5, flame 8.5, and flint 8.5 are scheduled to begin shipping early this year. All three upgrades benefit from...

Royalty-free and HD.(Stock Options)(from Artbeats software)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Artbeats Software has added new titles to its burgeoning library of royalty-free, high-definition (HD) stock video footage. To deliver high-quality, uncompressed footage, Artbeats not only telecines all film to HD using a digital direct-to-disk...

Point-of-need purchase.(Support)(Intelligent Assistance Assistance on Demand )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Intelligent Assistance, maker of multimedia support tools for digital media artists and content creators, has launched Assistance on Demand. An online, on-demand service, Assistance on Demand provides creatives with real-time product support...

USB debut.(Wireless)(Gefen USB-500)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Gefen introduces the USB-500, the company's latest innovation which takes advantage of "Extreme USB" technology. The USB-500 extends the functionality of virtually any USB device, including a keyboard and mouse. Whereas USB devices typically...

Power to mobile professionals.(Graphics Processors)(Nvidia GeForce FX Go5700)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Nvidia has amended its GeForce FX Go series of GPUs for mobile PCs with the GeForce FX Go5700. The new addition combines enhanced geometry and rendering performance with the company's Ultra-shadow technology to achieve cinematic 3D graphics,...

High-performance processor.(Graphics Processors)(ATI Technologies Mobility FireGL T2)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... ATI Technologies has introduced its Mobility FireGL T2 mobile workstation processor, which is shipping in the HP Compaq nw8000 and IBM Thinkpad R50p and T41 p. Well-suited to digital content creators, the Mobility FireG L T2 is designed to...

Events.(Calendar)
January 1, 2004... FEBRUARY 24-25 Emerging 3D Applications & Opportunities 2004, held in San Jose, California. Contact Acacia Research Group, www.acaciarg.com MARCH 22-26 Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2004, held in San Jose, California....

Epic animation: the Lord of the Rings films have set new standards for CG character animation in live-action films.(back drop)(interview with Randall William Cook)(Interview)
January 1, 2004... The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King animation supervisor Randall William Cook won Oscars in 2002 and 2003 for animation and creature effects design and supervision on The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and The Lord of...