Computer Graphics World articles from November 2004

Computer Graphics World archives from November 2004

Workstation watch.(editor's note)(Computer Graphics World )(Editorial)
November 1, 2004... Last month, Computer Graphics World presented the latest installment of its Webcast Technology Series on Next-Generation Workstations. Our expert panel featured Alex Herrera and Jon Peddie of Jon Peddie Research, who cited data from their new...

LightSpace Technologies premiers DepthCube.(display)
November 1, 2004... LightSpace Technologies has unveiled the DepthCube Z1024, an improved version of its 3D volumetric display. To present physically deep 3D images, the DepthCube Z1024 projects a series of images at high speeds, of up to 1500 frames per...

ATI launches All-In-Wonder card.(video card)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... ATI Technologies targets multimedia entertainment applications with the release of its All-In-Wonder X800 XT video card. Well suited to video editing and gaming enthusiasts, the new add-in video card is based on the company's Radeon X800 VPU....

Streamload service provides online file storage and delivery.(storage)(Streamload)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Streamload has introduced a new online service targeted at game developers, video specialists, and graphic designers. Built on proprietary storage technology, Streamload provides professionals with a secure, online digital library, as well...

Vizrt debuts 2D virtual studio solution.(video)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Vizrt has introduced Viz|Ibis, a new 2D virtual studio package, as well as enhancements to its Viz|Engine 3D rendering software. An entry-level program designed for virtual studio production, Viz|Ibis is designed to be easy to use, thanks...

HD Update.(market outlook)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... HD video production remains a topic of intense debate among video professionals and industry suppliers, and for good reason: Confusion reigns supreme regarding HD formats and quality levels. One need only walk around an industry trade show to...

Alias Systems (Toronto, Canada) has completed its acquisition of Kaydara (Montreal, Canada).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Alias Systems (Toronto, Canada) has completed its acquisition of Kaydara (Montreal, Canada). Alias also announced its plans to begin shipping Alias MotionBuilder 6 in the coming months. Corel (Ottawa, Canada) has announced its intention to...

Hardware-enhanced editing.(Video: digital video editing)
November 1, 2004... One of the most exciting trends in digital video editing this year has been the facility to do high-quality work without needing special capture or processing hardware (see "Beyond the HD Hoopla," July 2004, pg. 8). It's a liberating promise:...

Hero animation: Pixar borrows live-section techniques for its latest animated feature, The Incredibles.(Film)
November 1, 2004... This month, Disney/Pixar releases The Incredibles, the sixth animated feature film from the now famously dueling duo that has been rolling out box-office blockbusters since Toy Story, the first-ever CG feature, in 1995. Pixar's first PG film,...

Pride of prime time: CGI roars onto network TV with DreamWorks' Father of the Pride.(Broadcast)
November 1, 2004... The consensus among TV executives is that the sitcom has reached a critical turning point, pushed to the brink by the surging popularity of reality TV and crime dramas, and the end of such stalwarts as Friends and Frasier. According to NBC...

Small surprises: three short films from young animators offer fresh ideas and imagery.
November 1, 2004... "El Desvan," "Rock the World," and "Annie & Boo" are all computer-animated shorts from different parts of the world. And in some ways, these short CG films couldn't be more different. "El Desvan," by Jose Corral, is a moody tale of love,...

Interactive comics: comic book-inspired games use different artistic approaches to maintain a traditional look within 3D.(Gaming)
November 1, 2004... While many of today's action-game titles are striving to use the power of PCs or consoles to provide near-photorealistic, interactive entertainment, others are harnessing the technology to render unique, stylized imagery. Toward this end,...

Freeze frame: artists use creative compositing as the framework for innovative effects.(Video)
November 1, 2004... Picture this: In a television commercial for Hewlett-Packard's digital photography line, actors seemingly re-arrange segments of the live action by reaching out and adding or removing a "picture" from the scene. In the spot, titled...

Elementary art, part 2.(Portfolio)(Elemental)(Beans Magic )(Magic Stone Images )
November 1, 2004... Digital artists strived for years to have their work recognized as "real" art. And yet, 3D software and rendering hardware made it difficult for all but the most technically savvy artists to realize their true potential using the medium. "In...

Pinnacle Systems.(Compositing Software)
November 1, 2004... Pinnacle Systems recently previewed an upgraded version of its Liquid Edition video editing software. Liquid Edition 6 enables real-time, multi-format editing, compositing, effects, audio, and DVD authoring from a single, redesigned...

Eyeon Software.(Compositing Software)
November 1, 2004... Eyeon Software has unveiled Fusion 5, the latest version and tenth major incarnation of its desktop compositing software. Fusion's core architecture has been updated with a full 3D environment, OpenGL acceleration, B splines, a new mask node...

Adobe Systems.(Compositing Software)
November 1, 2004... Adobe Systems has upgraded its After Effects motion graphics and visual effects software, part of the new Adobe Video Collection 2.5. Offering tighter integration with Adobe's other video programs, After Effects 6.5 has been enhanced with new...

Apple.(Compositing Software)
November 1, 2004... Apple has released Shake 3.5, an updated version of its visual effects and compositing solution for film, HD, and commercials. Newly added shape-based morphing and warping utilities take advantage of industry-standard spline tools, enabling...

Avid Technology.(Compositing Software)
November 1, 2004... Avid Technology has announced the availability of Avid Studio Tools, a suite of content-creation programs. Included in Studio Tools is Avid FX software, based on the Boris Red compositing and titling system. In addition to offering advanced...

Quantel.(Compositing Software)
November 1, 2004... QEffects compositing software is designed to complement the company's range of DI and HD systems, including its iQ DI system. Whereas the iQ is involved with assembling, editing, color grading, and versioning full-resolution digital film...

Discreet.(Compositing Software)
November 1, 2004... Discreet's product portfolio encompasses four visual effects design and compositing tools: Combustion 3 desktop compositing and motion graphics software, and the Inferno 6, Flame 9, and Flint 9 range of real-time visual effects systems....

Ultimatte.(Compositing Software)
November 1, 2004... Ultimatte offers AdvantEdge 1.5, the latest version of its professional-level bluescreen matte extraction plug-in. For use with Adobe, Apple, Discreet, and other popular video tools, AdvantEdge enables the automatic and accurate compositing of...

HP Compaq nw8000: this mobile workstation enables the creation of professional-level graphics on the road.
November 1, 2004... For a long time, having a powerful graphics workstation and a portable workstation were two mutually exclusive goals. Workstations tend to be big, bulky, and power hungry, whereas laptops are portable, compact power misers. HP tries to bridge...

SpaceBall 5000: 3Dconnexion's 3D motion controller offers extensive freedom of movement.
November 1, 2004... I'll admit that I am seldom cognizant of my mouse, or the extent to which I implement it in my daily work flow--that is, until I feel the all-too-common discomfort associated with its use. The same is true of other input devices at my disposal....

2D to 3D.(3D Imaging)
November 1, 2004... [Mac] HumanEyes Technologies has unveiled HumanEyes Capture3D, a 3D software solution designed for use with today's digital cameras. Now available, HumanEyes Capture3D enables users to generate realistic 3D images using data captured with...

Editing update.(Video)
November 1, 2004... [Win] Pinnacle Systems has upgraded its Liquid Edition video editing software to Version 6. The upgrade provides users the ability to edit multiple streams of native HD content with real-time effects. Its SmartEdit feature enables the...

Made to manage.(Rendering)
November 1, 2004... [Win] Shoran Software has released its RenderPal 2004 Server Version 1.3, the updated edition of its professional render management system for such renderers as Alias's Maya, Mental Images' Mental Ray, SoftimagelXSI, and NewTek's LightWave....

Slim LCDs.(Displays)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... NEC-Mitsubishi Electronics Display of America has updated and expanded its AccuSync family of fiat-panel displays. The company's LCD monitor series sports a slim cabinet design and two new 20-inch models, the ASLCD200VX and ASLC D200VX-BK. The...

Events.(products)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
November 1, 2004... December 7-10 Digital Video (DV) Expo West, held in Los Angeles. Contact 888-234-9476, www.dvexpo.com. January 10-14 Macworld Conference and Expo, held in San Francisco. Contact www.macworldexpo.com. 25-27 ...

RAID controller and subsystem specialists since 1992.(Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks, Infortrend Corporation)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
November 1, 2004... Infotrend[R] Background Infortrend was founded in 1992 by a team of engineers with extensive experience in storage subsystems. Our mission is to provide OEMs, system integrators, and select distributors with the highest performing...