Computer Graphics World articles from July 2004

Computer Graphics World archives from July 2004

Thinking socially.(editor's note)
July 1, 2004... In a new report titled "Moore's Law and Electronic Games," Deloitte Research makes a bold prediction about the future of online gaming: By 2010, online games will become truly mainstream--the total number of online game players should be in the...

3Dlabs releases Wildcat Realizm 800.(graphics cards)
July 1, 2004... 3Dlabs is targeting the professional graphics market with its new PCI Express-based Wildcat Realizm 800. The company's latest graphics accelerator, the Wildcat Realizm 800 combines a Wildcat Realizm Vertex/Scalability Unit (VSU) and dual...

Vicon debuts MX family.(motion capture)
July 1, 2004... Maker of motion-capture solutions, Vicon has announced its next-generation suite of real-time, optical motion-capture systems, Vicon MX. To date, the new Vicon MX family includes the MX40, MX13, and MX3 cameras. Now available for purchase...

Hewlett-Packard unveils new PCs.(workstations)
July 1, 2004... Hewlett-Packard Company has premiered three new personal workstations--the xw8200, xw6200, and xw4200--which take advantage of Intel, PCI Express, and USB 2.0 technologies. In addition to a choice of 2D and 3D PCI Express cards, the HP...

Adobe Systems ships Video Collection 2.5.(video)
July 1, 2004... Adobe Systems has begun shipping Standard and Professional editions of its Video Collection 2.5, which integrates all-new versions of the company's popular digital video software programs. Adobe Video Collection Standard edition includes...

Clarification.(Correction Notice)
July 1, 2004... The article "Beautiful People" (May 2004, pg. 28) describes how animator Scott Billups used Adobe's Photoshop CS to organize the creation of a pair of digital actors. The article lists some of the tools used to model the "Vitruvian" couple,...

Infinite floor.(virtual reality)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Virtual environments are becoming more realistic all the time, but walking around naturally inside of them has 3 proven to be an intractable problem. Now a team of researchers led by Hiroo Iwata at the Advanced Telecommunications Research...

Workstation revival.(market outlook)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Although the technology used to build graphics workstations has changed dramatically in the last five to ten years, the demands of workstation applications and professional users have not. According to Alex Herrera, senior analyst at Jon Peddie...

Comcast (Philadelphia) and Exent Technologies (Bethesda, MD) have launched the first games-on-demand service.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Comcast (Philadelphia) and Exent Technologies (Bethesda, MD) have launched the first games-on-demand service. Available on Comcast.net and powered by Exent's digital delivery service, the service provides subscribers unlimited access to more...

Beyond the HD hoopla.(viewpoint Video)
July 1, 2004... If you've ever been to an Apple Computer press conference or keynote speech, you know they can have an atmosphere that's similar to a religious revival, with cheers and applause from the crowd (and there's always a crowd) that ring of...

Psychorealism: animator Chris Landreth creates a new form of documentary filmmaking.(Animation)(Ryan)(Cover Story)
July 1, 2004... In 1969, legendary animator Ryan Larkin was at the height of his career. His innovative short film "Walking," one of several films he had made while at the National Film Board of Canada, had received an Oscar nomination and worldwide acclaim....

Another big leap: Sony Pictures Imageworks creates dynamic digital doubles, treacherous CG tentacles, and a swinging virtual city for Spider-Man 2.(Film)
July 1, 2004... The challenge for visual effects studios that work on sequels is always the same: Do better. And when the original film is as successful as Columbia Pictures' Spider-Man, which earned $404 million in the US and $807 million world wide, that...

Life or something like it: in the online game Second Life, players can choose a new virtual existence.(Web)
July 1, 2004... If you could reinvent yourself, what choices would you make? Would you be tall or short, heavy or thin, outgoing or shy? Or would you become a different species, such as a dog or a cat? In Second Life, the massively multiplayer online...

Drive time: digital elements add drama to a NASCAR television commercial.(Video)(National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)(Kroma)
July 1, 2004... The CG artists at visual effects boutique Kroma were sitting in the driver's seat while creating three compelling, action-oriented TV commercials for FOX television's NASCAR coverage. To illustrate just how tough the sport's drivers are,...

SIGGRAPH Art Gallery.(Portfolio)
July 1, 2004... When Sue Gollifer was named chair of the SIGGRAPH 2004 Art Gallery, she was determined to select a title for the gallery that was contemporary and described the theme of this year's exhibits: works that stimulate and explore new...

Alienware MJ-12: Alienware's workstation excels for content creators.
July 1, 2004... Stats AlienWare MJ-12 Price: Starting at $2126 ($7324 as configured) Minimum System Requirements: Not applicable Alienware www.alienware.com infoNOW 113 Alienware has been dominating the high-end gaming market for some...

Poser 5: Curious Labs' upgrade.
July 1, 2004... Stats Poser 5 Price: $319 Minimum System Requirements: English versions of Windows 98se, 2000, ME, or XP with a 500MHZ Pentium class or compatible processor and 128MB of system RAM or Mac OS 10.2 or later with a 500MHZ G3...

View from the top: a conversation with Dena Slothower, Chair of SIGGRAPH 2004. Interview conducted by Phil LoPiccolo, Editor-in-Chief, Computer Graphics World.(Interview)
July 1, 2004... Q. What are the main themes of the SIGGRAPH 2004 conference? One of the most striking aspects of this year's content is the incredible diversity of uses for the technical advances in computer graphics and interactive techniques. Researchers...

Conference at a glance.(Siggraph conference)
July 1, 2004... Conference at a Glance Schedule is Subject to Change. Check the SIGGRAPH 2004 web site often for updated information for this year's programs and events. 7 SATURDAY ...

Presentations.(Calendar)
July 1, 2004... [A] Courses Sunday-Wednesday, 8-11 August Practical skills, deep understanding, and clear explanations presented by the leading experts in computer graphics and interactive techniques. Tutorials, half-day sessions, and full-day courses...

Special sessions.(Calendar)
July 1, 2004... [A][B] Real-Time 3DX: Demo or Die Monday, 9 August, 6-8 pm This demonstration highlights real-time graphics of all types in a fast paced, fun, and inspiring way. If you want to see the best real-time computer graphics work from industry,...

Experiences.(Calendar)
July 1, 2004... [A][B][C] Art Gallery: Synaesthesia Sunday-Thursday, 8-12 August Original digital art that emerges from the conjunction of cybernetics and human vision to help us re-experience, re-examine, and make sense of our bodies, our technologies,...

Services.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... [A][B][C] Birds of a Feather Attendees who want to get together with others who share their interests, goals, technologies, environments, or backgrounds are invited to organize and/or attend a Birds of a Feather event. Questions? Review...

Exhibitors as of 25 May 2004.(Directory)
July 1, 2004... @Last Software, Inc.--SketchUp 3Dconnexion 3D Consortium 3D Nature, LLC 3D Pipeline Corporation 3DTotal.com 3rdTech, Inc. 4DCulture Inc. 5DT (Fifth Dimension Technologies) A K Peters, Ltd. Academy...

Exhibitor tech talks.(Calendar)
July 1, 2004... The Power of Pixel Shaders: Using High-Level Shading Languages in Professional Applications ATI Technologies Inc. Tuesday, 10 August, 1-3 pm Programmable pixel shaders are all the rage for today's computer games. But how can they be...

DVD Workshop 2: Ulead's latest DVD authoring software is replete with robust tools.
July 1, 2004... stats DVD Workshop 2 Price: $495 for the full version, $295 as an upgrade Minimum System Requirements: Windows 2000 or XP, Intel Pentium III 800MHZ or higher, 128MB of RAM, 500MB of hard disk space for program installation,...

For OS X.(Sketching)
July 1, 2004... Win * Mac Alias has announced the availability of its pen-driven sketching and annotation software, SketchBook Pro, for Mac OS X operating systems. Alias SketchBook Pro Version 1.1 sports Mac compatibility, 26 hotkeys, a single layer copy tool,...

Effects design.(Video)
July 1, 2004... Win Allegorithmic has released MaPITime, a new plug-in for use with Adobe's After Effects and Discreet's Combustion. Reported to be the industry's first fully editable, heterogenous video filter designer, MaPITime enables digital artists to...

Useful upgrade.(Video)
July 1, 2004... Win Profound Effects has debuted Version 1.5 of its Useful Assistants workflow enhancer for Adobe's After Effects. As well as compatibility with After Effects 6.5, Useful Assistants 1.5 boasts 28 new and updated assistants, bringing its total...

NLE news.(Video)
July 1, 2004... Win Canopus has unveiled Edius 2.5, an upgraded version of its NLE software solution. Version 2.5 includes a new cropping, scaling, and repositioning tool and an Edius keyboard customization applet. Users of the new version also gain the...

Professional plasma.(Displays)
July 1, 2004... Samsung has released its latest large-screen, plasma displays for commercial and professional applications, including digital signage, multimedia presentation, and professional video. Offering 1024x768 resolution and a 3000:1 contrast ratio,...

4K projection.(Projector)
July 1, 2004... Sony has amended its product line with two new 4K projectors for the digital cinema market, the SRX-R110 and SRX-R105. The SRX-R110 is a 10,000 ANSI lumen model well suited to screens of up to 40 feet wide, whereas the SRX-R105 is a 5000 ANSI...

Alienware ALX.(Workstations)
July 1, 2004... Alienware has introduced ALX, a new brand of high-performance computer systems. Desktop, notebook, and professional systems that fall under the Alienware ALX brand incorporate the company's liquid cooling technology, including a specially mixed...

Reelhouse releases.(Stock Options)
July 1, 2004... Producer of royalty-free video footage and video FX Reelhouse recently releases the Film Leader FX Library. Film Leader FX Library is the latest offering in the company's collection of stock videos backgrounds, and effects offered in...

Events.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
July 1, 2004... AUGUST 2-5 LinuxWorld Conference & Expo, held in San Francisco. Contact 800-657-1474, www.linuxworldexpo.com. 8-12 SIGGRAPH 2004, held in Los Angeles. Visit www.siggraph.org. 15-27 2004 Oregon3D Film Camp, held in Portland, Oregon....

Fantasy world: 3D graphics and streaming technologies enable users to create an alternate reality that may enhance their real lives.(backdrop)(Interview)
July 1, 2004... Q How would you describe Second Life? A It's an immersive 3D world owned by its users--a place where you can change everything, and create or experience anything you can imagine. Buy and sell land, build a real business, design cars, play...