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MillimeterSiggraph 2005 Preview
Jul 14, 2005 5:12 PM
NewTek and e-on offer 3D Natural Environment Creation and Rendering at Breakthrough Pricing
NewTek, Inc., manufacturer of industry-leading 3D animation and video products, and e-on software, the leader in natural environment creation software, today announced a special offer providing Vue 5 Infinite, e-on's flagship solution for the creation of natural 3D environments, and LightWave 3D, NewTek's Emmy-award winning 3D content creation and rendering package, to purchasers at the special price of $995US. The special offer represents a savings of $1199US off the combined regular prices of $599US for Vue and $1595US for LightWave. Vue 5 Infinite will also be available with LightWave upgrades at $495US, a $599 savings. This limited-time special offer is available for Mac OS X and Windows 2000/XP platforms.
"The power of LightWave combined with the power of Vue 5...this is a killer combination," said Andy Bishop, Director of Darkside Animation, UK. "No other 3D scenery software can create such stunningly realistic vistas. You can load motions back and forth between the programs, create matte passes in each so they can be combined, you can even transfer individual objects... absolutely stunning, a match made in heaven."
"We're very pleased to partner with e-on to bring this incredible special offer to LightWave purchasers," said Jay Roth, President of NewTek's 3D Products Division. "LightWave 3D delivers incredible power for creating 3D graphics, visual effects and animation, right out of the box, and adding the cutting-edge natural 3D environment creation of Vue 5 Infinite to the mix creates an unbeatable value for digital artists. And only NewTek would offer this much added power and then throw in a substantial savings over the regular full-seat price of LightWave."
NewTek's LightWave 3D combines a state-of-the-art photo-realistic renderer with intuitive and powerful modeling and animation tools. Known for its fast workflow and ease of use, LightWave also integrates well with other popular production tools for 3D and for compositing, with support for PSD and RLA/RPF files as well as a wide range of other formats. Tools that cost extra in many other professional 3D applications are part of the standard package, including hard- and soft-body dynamics, cloth simulation, hair and fur, and much, much more. LightWave is used worldwide as a complete 3D production solution for broadcast graphics, games, print, web, and visual effects for film and television.
Vue 5 Infinite is the most efficient and advanced solution for creating, animating and rendering natural 3D environments. Vue 5 Infinite is strongly focused on power, productivity and inter-operability with existing toolkits. Specifically designed for graphics professionals, Vue 5 Infinite combines a multitude of cutting edge features (such as the revolutionary new EcoSystem™ technology) that easily integrate into existing production pipelines. Single objects and complete scenes can be exported to LightWave 3D, and Vue 5 Infinite also includes camera and light synchronization with LightWave for perfectly matched renders. Vue 5 Infinite integrates with and extends LightWave to provide a complete, professional 3D natural scenery suite.
"We are delighted to be working with NewTek to bring this amazing offer to professional artists," said Nicholas Phelps, President of e-on Software. "Vue 5 Infinite provides the most powerful set of tools for creating natural environments in 3D, and combining these with NewTek's LightWave 3D product brings an incomparable value in content creation tools to illustrators, VFX studios, architects, and 3D Computer Graphics professionals."
Vue 5 Infinite Features:
§ Revolutionary EcoSystem™ technology to populate scenes with millions of animated plants, rocks or objects;
§ G-Buffer and Multi-Pass rendering with fully anti-aliased masks for advanced compositing;
§ Multi-layer PSD, RLA and RPF file format support for use with e.g. Discreet Combustion or Adobe After Effects;
§ Procedural Terrains with infinite level of detail whatever the viewing distance,
§ Plant editing technology with full export capabilities and animation support for simulating the effects of wind through trees;
§ Ultra Realistic standard and volumetric atmosphere models;
§ Global Illumination and Radiosity,
§ High Dynamic Range Image (HDRI) and Image Based Lighting (IBL),
§ SmartGraph™ advanced function and material editor with Full shader customization, advanced time-dependent effects and non photo-realistic rendering;
§ Ultra fast OpenGL-based pre-rendering engine for quick and easy previewing;
§ AccuShadows™ advanced shadow mapping technologies;
§ HyperVue™ Network rendering with 5 render nodes included.
LightWave 3D Features:
§ World-class rendering
§ Fast, versatile Modeler
§ Powerful scripting language
§ Character Animation tools
§ Particle Effects
§ Expressions
§ Hard- and soft-body dynamics, cloth dynamics, bone dynamics
§ Unlimited points and polygons per object
§ Unlimited images
§ Unlimited surfaces
§ Easy import of Illustrator data
§ Easy integration with other effects production tools.
Pricing and Availability
§ LightWave 3D full seat with electronic documentation and Vue 5 Infinite: $995
§ LightWave 3D full seat with electronic and printed documentation and Vue 5 Infinite: $1095
§ LightWave [8] upgrade with electronic documentation and Vue 5 Infinite: $495
§ LightWave [8] upgrade with electronic and printed documentation and Vue 5 Infinite: $595
For more information or to purchase, visit: http://www.newtek.com or call NewTek Sales at 1-800-368-5441, overseas callers dial +1-210-370-8000. To locate a NewTek Authorized Reseller link to http://www.newtek.com/dealers.
Savannah College of Art and Design comes to Siggraph 2005
The Savannah College of Art and Design will be at Siggraph 2005 at Booth 2134. This year’s booth highlights the beauty and charm of historic Savannah, Ga., the college’s home base.
SCAD-Atlanta opened in March 2005 at 1600 Peachtree St. in Atlanta’s Midtown and offers Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees in advertising design, animation, broadcast design and motion graphics, fashion, graphic design, illustration, interactive design and game development, interior design, painting, photography, sequential art and visual effects.
The college has added new majors for the 2005-06 academic year, including a Master of Arts in cinema studies and B.F.A, M.A. and M.F.A. degrees in production design. The cinema studies program offers advanced coursework in the history and theory of film within a diverse learning environment. In addition to courses dedicated to cinema theory, students may explore animation and film production, and take elective courses in literature and art history. Throughout the program, students become familiar with the language of cinema to support their discussion of various genres, alternative modes and national and ethnic thematic motivations. The Savannah Film Festival, sponsored each fall by the college, provides a venue for students to meet directors, writers and actors from around the world, view new films, and participate in workshops and discussions with prominent individuals in filmmaking.
The production design curriculum at SCAD prepares graduates to understand the emerging facets of new media as well as the principles of design for traditional projects. The program enables all students to be involved with new technology. Students also benefit from the opportunity to collaborate with other students who are studying acting, film and theater directing and producing, cinematography, as well as interior design, exhibition and fashion design.
In keeping with the college’s mission to prepare talented students for careers in the arts and design, the School of Film and Digital Media has added new technology to its course offerings to further prepare students for careers in the entertainment industry.
For example, the VICON optical motion capture system provides three-dimensional analysis of the motion of reflective markers using video and computer technology. High-speed, high-resolution optical cameras precisely and non-intrusively track the motion of capture subjects or objects, producing data that can then be edited and applied to realistically drive computer-generated characters in real time in a variety of leading-edge applications.
“We are very excited that SCAD has chosen to acquire a top-of-the-line VICON MX motion capture system, which is the world's leading motion capture technology for capturing facial, hand and full-body motion for film, television and games,” said Jon Damush, vice president and general manager of VICON Motion Systems. “With its ultra-high camera resolution, fidelity and streamlined use, VICON MX is bringing motion capture closer and closer into the creative process. SCAD students will be learning and using the same equipment that the best visual effects and animation studios in the business have in the field.”
VICON systems allow artists working in film, television and games to bring life-like animation to digital characters by precisely recording the movement of real human actors, animals and other subjects. VICON has been used for animating digital passengers on the ship deck in “Titanic,” giving life to crowds around the Coliseum in “Gladiator,” making superheroes swing in “Spider-Man 2” and producing the world’s first completely performance-capture feature, “The Polar Express” starring Tom Hanks. VICON is also used for television series, shows, music videos and specials that have aired on networks including Discovery, Fox, MTV and BBC, and is the system of choice for game companies for bringing the signature moves of athletes, actors and other performers to their titles. VICON received a Scientific and Technical Academy Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences in February 2005.
In addition, SCAD has incorporated new modeling and character and environment production software into its visual effects, animation, and interactive design and game development curriculum. Pixologic’s ZBrush enables digital artists to create high-quality, original artwork in a highly creative and interactive environment. ZBrush is host to an extensive set of real-time 3-D sculpting, 2-D/3-D projection painting, 3-D texturing and deformation tools seamlessly integrated in one intuitive environment. With instant feedback encompassing a unique synthesis of 2-D and 3-D capabilities in a single stand-alone application, ZBrush offers tremendous flexibility and appeals to a wide audience.
Over the past two years, ZBrush has been forging a new path in sub-division modeling for film and game studios while simultaneously becoming a must-have tool for concept artists and illustrators in many industries. ZBrush has become the defacto standard in many corners of the game and film market for both character and environment production work. Its real-time modeling environment, intuitive artist tools and ability to handle large data sets makes it an essential tool to meet the increasing needs of next-generation game and film studio production.
In incorporating ZBrush into the SCAD curriculum, the college has further positioned its students to meet the growing demand from production and game studios for highly detailed and photo-realistic creature and environment work. “We look forward to being part of a renowned educational environment and to the work that SCAD students do," said Ryan Kingslien, head of the training department at Pixologic. Founded in 1997, Pixologic Incorporated (www.pixologic.com) develops and markets innovative software tools for digital artists. The privately funded company is based in Los Angeles, Calif., with Research and Development located in Silicon Valley.
The Savannah College of Art and Design exists to prepare talented students for careers in the visual and performing arts, design, the building arts, and the history of art and architecture. The college emphasizes learning through individual attention in a positively oriented environment. The college has locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia, and in Lacoste, France. Some programs are offered online through SCAD e-Learning. For more information about the college, its programs of study and cultural events sponsored by the college, call 800.869.7223 or 912.525.5100 or visit the college Web site at www.scad.edu.
1 Beyond announces creation of new graphics and effects division
1 Beyond, Inc., a leading provider of digital video editing and compositing systems, today announced a new graphics and effects division. Designed to better serve the needs of its ever growing high end post-production, film, and broadcast client base, the new division's mission is to provide new and existing customers with a selection of some of the industry's most powerful graphics and effects software, as well as 1 Beyond's own award-winning hardware solutions, coupled with the best technical support in the industry.
1 Beyond will be introducing the new division and showcasing its latest range of products at the Siggraph conference and exhibition in Los Angeles (August 2-4 2005). Showcased on booth #2210 will be 1 Beyond’s extensive range of systems designed for the needs of editors and graphic artists including the new Redline Render Farm/ Harmony SAN combination, which eliminates the need to move files back and forth between workstations and the render farm. This concept was recently introduced at WCVB Boston’s new graphics facility designed by 1 Beyond for Hearst-Argyle Television.
Visitors to the 1 Beyond booth will also be able to receive hands-on demonstrations of the company’s extensive range of systems including the new 1 Beyond 3817 laptop and the 1 Beyond HD Pro Flex editing system.
1 Beyond’s award-winning hardware-based solutions designed for the needs of editors and graphic artists, also include:
· 1 Beyond Redline Render Farm, a scaleable, flexible and powerful shared render engine for offline graphics rendering;
· 1 Beyond Harmony SAN the industry’s first Shared Storage Area Network (SAN) capable of supporting multiple streams (from 2 to 32 editing, compositing, graphics and on-air systems);
· 1 Beyond Airbrush , an on-air paint, graphic and clip server system that allows digital artists to easily integrate real time graphics and titles into live broadcasts;
· and the industry’s widest range of uncompressed SD and HD digital nonlinear editing systems.
“With this new division, we are dedicating resources to meet the very specific needs of the graphics and effects departments of our larger broadcast and post production clients. We are also expanding our technology offerings and continuing to develop new hardware-based solutions that are affordable and best in their class,” comments Terry Cullen, 1 Beyond’s Founder and CEO.
Founded in 1996, 1 Beyond, Inc. manufactures professional PC-based video editing and compositing systems at a fraction of the cost of traditional high-end systems. 1 Beyond delivers turnkey video systems that provide customers with the highest performance and quality digital workflow in DV, SD and now full 10-bit uncompressed HD. The company offers a wide range of systems including award-winning Laptops, Desktops, Mobiles and Rack mounts used in all phases of editing and compositing. All 1 Beyond’s systems are designed with true open architecture and built on products which are based on world standards. This insures the customer a continued upgrade path and hence, the longest period for ROI and non-obsolescence. For more information visit www.1Beyond.com.
JVC DLA-QX1 projector to be featured in 3D theater at Siggraph 2005
JVC Professional Products Company's DLA-QX1 ultra-high-resolution projector will demonstrate high-definition (HD) productions in Stereographic 3D at SIGGRAPH 2005 32nd International Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Technologies scheduled to take place July 31 - August 4, 2005 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The 3D theater will exhibit two DLA-QX1 projectors featuring Miramax's Spy Kids 3D and NCSA scientific visualizations of "Flight to the Galactic Center," "Jet Instabilities in a Stratified Fluid Flow," and "The Visualization of F3 Tornado," on a 15-foot wide screen as part of SIGGRAPH'S Emerging Technologies Theater.
"This is a great opportunity to showcase how the QX1 projector can be utilized to show 3D stereographic display technology," said Rod Sterling, Chief Engineer, ILA Technology Group, JVC Professional Products Company. "This is a perfect example of how JVC's projectors can be used in many different applications."
The DLA-QX1 features JVC's Direct Drive Image Light Amplifier (D-ILA) technology that delivers the highest resolution images in production in a theater projection system to date. The projector's 3.2 million pixels result in a film-like picture depth and true-to-life presence of film.
A white paper authored by Rod Sterling titled, "High-Performance Stereoscopic Methods for 3D Viewing Using D-ILA Projectors," will demonstrate improved methods of visualization. The presentation will be held on Wednesday, August 3, Emerging Technologies Panel.
The Emerging Technologies exhibit will allow visitors a chance to interact with digital experiences that move beyond digital tradition and display work from many sub-disciplines of interactive techniques, with a special emphasis on projects that explore science, high-resolution digital-cinema technologies, and interactive art-science narrative.
More information, visit http://pro.jvc.com.
Dassault Systèmes acquires unique 3D behavioral technology with purchase of Virtools
Dassault Systèmes announced that it has acquired Paris-based Virtools SA, a team of experts in 3D interactive web applications that give live behavior to 3D content, for approximately 12 million euros.
Virtools’ applications allow users not familiar with 3D modeling to quickly and easily add life experience to any 3D object. As an example, using the company’s technology, users can experience the shopping behavior of a typical consumer in a supermarket or visualize the ergonomics of a driver as he or she drives a car through a city.
Virtools’ comprehensive software solutions enable companies to give life to 3D by creating applications with rich game-like 3D interactivity. Virtools has many production customers in industrial design, marketing, 3D web-based CRM applications, and multimedia applications as well as in video game development. Customers include Procter & Gamble, L'Oréal, Microsoft Game Studio, Electronic Arts, PSA Peugeot Citroen, and EADS.
“We chose Virtools several years ago to build our 3D real-time interactive applications, such as spatial mission experiences and the virtual cockpit,” said Nicolas Chevassus, Corporate Research Center, EADS. “The combination of Virtools and Dassault Systèmes reinforces our strategic partnership.”
With this acquisition, DS is adding to its R&D force a core team of expert pioneers in 3D Interactivity. Virtools brings to DS breakthrough technologies that will accelerate the use of 3D for all types of real-time, interactive consumer applications on the web. As a development platform, Virtools provides next-generation solutions for developing highly realistic 3D experiences with “game-like” interactivity, as well as distributing and running 3D applications on the web. These solutions range from browser-based applications to large-scale 3D visualizations.
“The visionary R&D team at Virtools will be an immediate asset to DS as we execute our strategy of democratizing 3D,” said Bernard Charlès, president and CEO, Dassault Systèmes. “By combining our assets, we will deliver the next-generation 3D Web platform that will enable a wide range of users to imagine, share, and experience in 3D.”
“I am delighted that Dassault Systèmes has chosen Virtools as a foundation of its 3D democratization strategy,” said Bertrand Duplat, founder and CTO of Virtools. “We share the vision of market convergence with DS for extended use of interactive 3D.”
“I look forward to the contribution that Virtools will bring to Dassault Systèmes,” said Hervé Yahi, CEO of Virtools. “We will continue to serve our customers and will enhance and improve support worldwide.”
Vicon demonstrates Vicon MX motion capture at Siggraph 2005
Vicon, developer of Academy Award-winning motion capture technology, announced it is providing an inside look at Vicon MX motion capture and the scope of future entertainment, engineering and computer-human interface applications made possible through high-speed, high-resolution hand, facial and full-body Vicon MX motion tracking at SIGGRAPH 2005. Vicon goes behind the velvet rope from Booth #1300, August 2-4, at the Los Angeles Convention Center for demonstrations that will showcase Vicon MX real-time precision and performance and some of the innovations seen in "Minority Report" made real.
The presentations, held twice each hour, will highlight the grayscale processing and up to 4 million-pixel resolution of Vicon MX systems, with software from g-speak to illustrate interaction with computer images based on gesture commands. Attendees are strongly encouraged to sign up in advance for a viewing time on the Vicon Website, www.vicon.com/spots/siggraph2005.html as seats are limited.
"Vicon MX takes customers beyond typical mo-cap, so we're going beyond the typical SIGGRAPH mo-cap demo," said Jon Damush, vice president and general manager, Vicon. "In this real-time presentation, we will demonstrate how Vicon MX 40 cameras enable new freedom for performers with high precision tracking of subtle nuances and expressions using tiny, non-intrusive markers. As we do this, we'll simultaneously be showing one of the coolest new uses for motion capture with g-speak."
g-speak is the first commercially oriented gesture recognition company, with solutions already in development in the defense and aerospace sectors. g-speak inventor and company founder John Underkoffler consulted on "Minority Report" to develop the gesture language used by characters to call up and sift through video material in that futuristic film.
"Vicon MX cameras enable motion tracking of hands, fingers, faces and other tricky areas in real time with high fidelity," said Kevin Parent, inventor and g-speak co-founder. "We looked at all of the competing technologies, but only Vicon's MX system provided the accuracy and real-time processing we needed to bring the gestural interface from science-fiction to reality."
Vicon MX systems, including the flagship 4 million-pixel Vicon MX 40 cameras, have rapidly become the new industry standard for real-time and off-line applications motion in film, television, video games, virtual prototyping, biomechanical analysis and more. In entertainment, Vicon MX systems are installed at Moving Picture Company, Mainframe Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment of America, Curious Pictures, House of Moves and other facilities for the creation of 3D animation and performance capture animation in movies, television shows, commercials and games.
Vicon recently announced Vicon MX Bridge, a new hardware product that lets Vicon users with older Vicon MCam 2, MCam, VCam and SVCam motion capture cameras enjoy 3D precision benefits of gray scale native to Vicon MX. This product additionally provides value and flexibility to Vicon customers by allowing them to mix Vicon MX and earlier-generation Vicon cameras in the same system.
Vicon also recently shipped Version 2.0 of its Vicon iQ software, which now offers a complete real-time environment for setup, calibration and capture using Vicon MX.
For more information about Vicon, Vicon MX or Vicon's demonstrations at SIGGRAPH 2005, please visit www.vicon.com.
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