Computer Graphics World articles from June 2009

Computer Graphics World archives from June 2009

Courting controversy.(Editorial)
June 1, 2009... Immediately upon its release, the graphic-novel styled video game MadWorld (see "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, MadWorld," pg. 26) became a lightning rod for the outrage of media watchdog groups the world over. John Beyer, director of the UK...

New Quadro FX offerings.(PRODUCT: GRAPHICS CARDS)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Nvidia recently introduced its most advanced top-to-bottom line of Quadro professional GPU solutions in the company's history, including the flagship Quadro FX 5800. Spanning from sub-S100 entry-level to stand-alone visual computing...

The Foundry unveils Nuke 5.2.(PRODUCT: COMPOSITING)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... The Foundry announced an upgrade version of its Nuke compositing software. Nuke 5.2 features new pre-comp tools that facilitate collaborative workflow, Python UI improvements, metadata support, and the ability to register multiple Viewer...

Eyeon forms SWAT teams.(PRODUCT: TRAINING)(Eyeon Software Inc.)(software artist training)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Eyeon Software, maker of the Fusion compositing application, introduced its new SWAT certification program to ensure that new and established VFX artists receive the training and support they need to realize their full creative potential. ...

Blackmagic releases host of offerings.(PRODUCT: VIDEO CARDS)(Blackmagic Design)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Blackmagic Design recently unveiled several new products, including two new Videohub routers: a compact 16x32 model for under $5000, and the Enterprise Videohub, a 144x288 model for the largest broadcast and postproduction facilities that sells...

Havok reveals new Middleware SDK.(PRODUCT: GAMING AI)(software development kit)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Havok, known for its physics software, roiled out a new offering, Havok AI, which provides developers with solutions for pathfinding and advanced character interaction in highly dynamic game environments. Havok AI meets the challenge of...

Outsourcing within the gaming industry is on the rise.(NEWS: OUTSOURCING)(Think Services Game Group)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Think Services Game Group's Game Developer Research has revealed the results of its "2009 Game Development Outsourcing Report.' which finds that the proportion of respondents whose studios use outsourced game development rose 10 percent between...

Caustic Graphics readies new raytracing system.(PRODUCT: RAYTRACING)
June 1, 2009... Newcomer Caustic Graphics introduced CausticRT, a massively accelerated raytracing system for achieving breakthrough levels of quality in interactive, cinema-quality 3D computer graphics. The Caustic development platform, which includes a...

Autodesk launches Flare.(PRODUCT: COMPOSITING)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... In addition to announcing the 2010 releases of its Flame and Inferno visual effects systems, Autodesk presented Flare, the new creative software companion to those hardware offerings. The company also released a new version of Smoke, and 2009...

Allegorithmic releases Substance Air.(PRODUCT: TEXTURING)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Allegorithmic recently rolled out Substance Air, a new texturing middleware for the development and distribution of online and downloadable games (MMOs, Free2Play, and XBLA/PSN). The offering enables game developers to dramatically reduce the...

Avoiding gimbal lock.(Viewpoint: CG)
June 1, 2009... To place an object in 3D space, its transformation properties need to be specified: position, scale, and orientation. The first two attributes are easily definable by three numbers for each. The meaning of the x, y, and z positions and scale...

The shape of animation: Pixar Animation Studios once again redefines CG animated features with its 10th film, Disney/Pixar's Up.(Character Modelling: Animation)(computer graphics)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A square. A circle. Two fundamental shapes in geometry, two iconic shapes in computer graphics. And, the simple basis for the visual style--the shape language--of Disney/Pixar's 10th animated feature, Up, one of the...

Living art: Rhythm & Hues and CafeFX help make possible a rollicking romp with art and artifacts for Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.(CG: Live Action)
June 1, 2009... Finally, someone shot a feature film inside the Smithsonian Museums. And, such a film. Directed by Shawn Levy, the 20th Century Fox feature magically brings to life works of art, historical figures large and small, creatures, statues, and...

It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world: legendary game developers turn the page with a graphic-novel look.(Gaming)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It was banned in Germany, ignited a global firestorm of controversy upon its release, and was hailed as one of the most graphically innovative games of recent years (see Guest Editor's Note, pg. 2). It comes from...

A bit of difference: at a tipping point: more professionals are reaching for 10-bit dismay precision.(Trends & Technologies)(Technical report)
June 1, 2009... Finally, 10-bit imaging has come of age. A long time in the making, the technology's newfound maturity is sparking interest that extends beyond its past niches and across a range of professional applications. To what can we attribute 10-bit...

Elemental effects: visual effects studios create AB explosions and virtual environments for Angels & Demons.(Digital Sets: VFX)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The clock is ticking on an unstoppable Illuminati time bomb hidden somewhere in Rome. Only one man, Harvard religious expert Robert Langdon, can distinguish angels from demons and find the bomb in time to prevent an...

Adding pow! to prime time: a new breed of superheroes fights evil with a digital twist.(Broadcast)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For those who like quirks and irony with their superheroes, The Middleman television series was a bracing tonic. Based on the graphic novels by Javier Grillo-Marxuach and Les McClaine, the episodes incorporated some...

Up your animation game: the art of animation as seen by two pros.(Careers)
June 1, 2009... Animators are continually striving for creative excellence as they explore various story narratives, ideas, and assignments, land observe the world around them. In order to stay fresh, inspired, and motivated, they approach each new challenge...

Insightful engineering.(VIS-SIM)(Massive Software)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Massive Software has unveiled Massive Insight, which is designed to deliver accurate, real-world visualization and simulation to architects, planners, civil engineers, and research scientists. The new software solution is well suited to...

In Studio 5.(Toon Boom Animation)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Toon Boom Animation has released Studio 5, a new version that adds stop-motion animation to the software's existing animation capabilities. Positioned as multi-technique animation software, Studio 5 is designed to enable users to master all...

Converter Utility 1.0.(VIDEO)(Blackmagic Design)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Blackmagic Design is offering its new Converter Utility 1.0 software for free download from the company's Web site. Converter Utility 1.0 enables all Blackmagic Design Mini Converter customers to upgrade their converter software with new...

Mod Tool.(MODELING--ANIMATION)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Autodesk has announced Autodesk Softimage Mod Tool 7.5 software, formerly the Softimage Mod Tool. The 3D modeling and animation package designed for aspiring game artists is based on the Autodesk Softimage tool set. Version 7.5 boasts Noesis...

Continuum Complete 6 AE.(PLUG-IN)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Boris FX is shipping Boris Continuum Complete 6 AE (BCC 6 AE), with nearly 200 filters for Adobe's After Effects and Premiere Pro. The latest edition sports 13 new filters that enable 3D vector graphics extrusion, organic 3D deformation,...