Computer Graphics World articles from September 2006

Computer Graphics World archives from September 2006

An industry flashback.(Editorial)
September 1, 2006... This past summer I visited Walt Disney World, and was amused by my nine-year-old's reaction to the Carousel of Progress in the Magic Kingdom. Created for the 1964--1965 New York World's Fair, the attraction highlights the journey of an American...

Graphics playing at the Quadro Plex.(NVIDIA Corp. launched visual computing system 'Nvidia Quadro Plex 1000')(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Nvidia, looking to establish new era of advanced visualization for the professional graphics market, introduced the Nvidia Quadro Plex 1000, the first dedicated visual computing system (VCS). Delivering an order-of-magnitude increase in...

Mova intros Contour reality capture system.(SERVICES: DATA CAPTURE)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Mova unveiled a so-called reality-capture system, whereby visual effects creators and game developers use digital cameras to accurately acquire and depict full-motion, photorealistic CG characters and other imagery. This new volumetic...

Dell extends its workstation line with the 390.(Dell Precision 690 )(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Dell recently extended the breadth of its workstation products with the Dell Precision 390 Workstation, which offers custom-built configurations, including Intel Core 2 Duo and Extreme processors, to deliver dramatic performance improvements...

The power of Xeon in a 3DBoxx.(Boxx Technologies launched 3DBoxx 8300 Performance Series workstation)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Boxx Technologies, developer of high-performance workstations and render nodes for visual effects professionals, released the 3DBoxx 8300 Performance Series Workstation. The 8300 leverages the power of the new dual-core Intel Xeon 5100 Series...

HP debuts high-end xw9400 workstation.(Hewlett-Packard Co.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Hewlett-Packard has expanded its professional workstation line with the release of the high-end HP xw9400. The xw9400 is positioned to meet the demanding computational and visualization needs of professionals in the 3D animation, video editing,...

Bearing up: Imageworks develops new tools and techniques to replicate a 2D graphic style in a 3D world.
September 1, 2006... Two improbable buddies--Boog, a 900-pound grizzly bear voiced by Martin Lawrence, and Elliot, a one-antlered mule deer voice by Ashton Kutcher--exhibit the strong graphic shapes with lush textural details used in Open Season, an animated film...

Corps values: America's Army gives the public a feel for what it is like to join its ranks.
September 1, 2006... On July 4, 2002, the United States Army introduced America's Army, an online PC action game intended as an information vehicle to teach teens, through the use of virtual experiences, about soldiering as a career choice. The initial goal was...

Faces in the crowd: crowd animation software brings life to background characters in The Ant Bully.
September 1, 2006... Shortly after finishing his film Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, director John Davis received a copy of the book The Ant Bully from Tom Hanks. Though Davis and Hanks had never met, the actor/producer thought that Davis would be a good choice to...

GPUs unplugged: technology companies continue to push the state of the art to put more power in the hands of content creators.(Graphics Processors)
September 1, 2006... Today, makers of computer processing units (CPU), graphics processing units (GPU) and graphics cards, and graphics-oriented workstations assume as much, if not more, space and attention at industry trade shows and exhibits as the major software...

Storage in the studio: advanced storage systems and networks enhance work flows at digital content creation studios.
September 1, 2006... VFX require high Speed and capacity * Pixar puts the pedal to the metal * The Orphanage accelerates work flow * DNA meets the need for speed * Tweak relies on RAID Storage technologies meet studio needs Facilities can...

Meeting studio needs: facilities can benefit from new technologies and network interfaces.(Special Section * Storage in the Studio)
September 1, 2006... Today, all aspects of filmmaking and distribution are changing. In fact, much of the ongoing "film" production uses film at only two stages--shooting the original footage and creating the final reels. Also, original footage can be captured...

Portfolio: SIGGRAPH Art Gallery, Part 2.
September 1, 2006... In last month's Portfolio section, we highlighted images from Intersections, the SIGGRAPH 2006 Art Gallery. This month we continue to look at this exhibit, which included 88 wall-mounted pieces that ranged from digital paintings and collages to...

Houdini upgrade.(Side Effects Software Inc., Houdini 8.1)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Win * Linux Side Effects Software announced the release of Houdini 8.1, which features an animator-friendly Auto Rig, Muscle System, Character Picker, and Pose Library. The Auto Rig furnishes animators with controls, such as FK/IK switching,...

Do the Robot.(Softimage unveiled Face Robot 1.5 animation software)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Win Softimage unveiled Face Robot Version 1.5, an update to its software for creating lifelike facial animation. The new release offers a game export solution, allowing artists to deliver high-quality, in-game acting with detailed facial...

Massive upgrade.(Massive Software has unveiled Massive 2.6)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Win Massive Software has unveiled Massive 2.6, an upgraded version of its artificial life-based 3D animation solution for creating realistic performances with autonomously responding characters. Version 2.6 has been upgraded with faster and...

New CAT owner.(Avid Technology Inc. acquired Character Animation Technologies Ltd.)(Softimage released CAT 2.5)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Win Avid recently acquired Character Animation Technologies, Ltd., which offers CAT, a complete character animation system that provides artists in game development, film, and post industries with a unique tool set to produce animations more...

Nuke niceties.(D2 Software upgrading its Nuke compositing software)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Win * Mac * Linux * Irix D2 Software, a subsidiary of Digital Domain, revealed new features being integrated into the latest version of its Nuke compositing software, scheduled to be released later this year. The upcoming edition of Nuke will...

Modeling to a T.(T-Splines has released the beta version of 3D modeling software)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Win * Mac * Linux * Irix T-Splines, maker of 3D modeling software, has released the beta version of its T-Splines Rhino plug-in. The software plug-in is designed to solve 3D design challenges by providing greater surface control and seamless...

More mocap.(Vicon Motion Systems has partnered with House of Moves to deliver a new animation software )(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Win Vicon has partnered with House of Moves to deliver a new software package targeted at real-time motion capture, full-performance capture, and on-set visualization applications. The solution is designed to make processing and applying...

On the BrightSide.
September 1, 2006... BrightSide Technologies launched its latest high dynamic range (HDR)innovation during SIGGRAPH 2006. BrightSide, in collaboration with research partners at the Max Plank Institute, has developed a video file-compression technique that enables...

Barco news.(DISPLAYS)
September 1, 2006... Barco, a provider of display solutions for virtual and augmented reality, has presented its new VR Workroom environment and XDS-1000 modular external desktop system. These solutions enable users to project simultaneously information from...

Kerner Optical goes solo.(Mark Anderson )(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Production company Kerner Optical (San Rafael, CA), the former Industrial Light & Magic model shop and physical production unit, has officially opened its own doors following its purchase from ILM, a Lucasfilm company. Kerner Optical will be...