Thursday, April 15, 2010

nPower Software Bug Fix Released

This is only for those who are using version 6.0+ of nPower's Power plug-ins.

They have posted the 6.3 bug fix update release for Power NURBS, Power Translators, Power Solids, etc.  This update release can be downloaded from the link below.  The update is a bug fix release which fixes a number of issues.  For a list of some of the changes, you can find the release notes here.

www.nPowersoftware.com/customer_products.htm

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Autodesk Subscription Boxed Media Request

In 2010 Autodesk is making download the default method for delivering your software upgrades.

PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE A BOXED SHIPMENT WITH A CD/DVD WHEN YOUR UPGRADE RELEASES.

If you prefer a CD/DVD, you may set your delivery preference to “box” by signing in to Subscription Center and updating your profile.

To receive boxed media for your new software upgrade, listed in your subscription account follow these steps.

Monday, April 12, 2010

From NAB 2010: Davinci for $995 - WTF?

Quite the buzz about this!  It took Blackmagic less than a year to bring Davinci to the desktop market, and at $995 - I think we have to take a serious look.  First of all, lets get this right out in the open.  This is NOT the system for you to plan on running 2k or 4k files, raw RED files, or stereoscopic HD work.  For that you will need to get the Linux based, $50K license - yes, $50k.  It's $20k for the licenses, and $30k for the REQUIRED control surface panel.  The Tangent Wave device won't work.

From NAB 2010: Adobe CS5 Mercury Playback and Matrox RT

NAB, something I have had a love-hate relationship with for many, many years.  This year promised to be the year of stereoscopic production, and so far it is! 

This post however is going to center around our every day production needs - and what has become one of the most anticipated software releases at this year's conference - Adobe CS5!  I have to say, thus far,  it looks fantastic!  I wanted to spend a few moments sharing some thoughts on one of the big features that many people have been waiting for: The Mercury Playback Engine, and what it really means, and what companies like Matrox are doing to work with Adobe.

If you don't already know, the Mercury playback engine is designed around technology that combines the power of the GPU, with the CPU.  In this case, an Nvidia based card with CUDA.  The demonstrations at Adobe's booth and others are all shown on top-of-the-line workstations (HPz800 and 8 or 12 core machines), with Nvidia 5800 graphics cards ($2000+) of course to put the Adobe Cs5 products in the best light possible.  Understandable, but not something many of you might have just sitting around at the moment!  I was privy to see a Mercury demo at a Matrox meeting though, when done on a quad core workstation, with an Nvidia 4800 card ($1500) to see why Matrox was still relevant.  Ok, I'm listening.

Blackmagic Announces DeckLink HD Extreme 3D

Now with new exciting 3D workflows, we have a new model of DeckLink HD Extreme that not only supports 3D, but also includes an hardware up, down and cross converter, support of SDI, HDMI and component analog capture and playback at video rates up to 1080p60, hardware support for 12 bit SDI, and a sync cable feature for using two cards together.

DeckLink HD Extreme 3D is ready for 3D workflow using both interleaved/side by side and dual stream capture and playback. Interleaved is where the left and right eyes are interleaved as fields so you can edit using standard editing software.

Dual steam is where DeckLink HD Extreme 3D uses the dual link SDI connections to capture and playback two streams for left and right eye, and records them into two separate media files. Dual stream 3D is higher quality because each eye is full resolution, but less compatible with current editing software.

Media Express has been upgraded to handle both interleaved/side by side and dual stream 3D, so it's a great solution for capture and playback of 3D media. This means DeckLink HD Extreme 3D is a complete 3D solution!

DeckLink HD Extreme 3D
includes a high quality up, down and cross converter so you can edit in SD and play out HD, or edit in HD and play out SD. The cross converter lets you edit in 720p and output in 1080i, or edit in 1080i and play back in 720p. It's incredible quality and full 10 bit with audio.

DeckLink HD Extreme 3D is also based on a new internal hardware design with support for 12 bit SDI video and full support for video rates up to 1080p60 via SDI, HDMI and analog component. For developers, two DeckLink HD Extreme 3D cards can be joined together with a cable for synchronous dual card operation.

Sony is also announcing at NAB 2010 support in their HDCAM SR deck for the 2K format that's been built into DeckLink HD Extreme, Multibridge, Videohub and HDLink, and this is exciting news. Now you will be able to edit in 2K film with a workflow as easy as video. This will make 2K film editing and design much easier!

DeckLink HD Extreme 3D is available now for US$975.

Kona 3 & Neo3D Enable True Stereo 3D to NLE Timelines

AJA Teams with CineForm to Enable True Stereo 3D Output from Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro Timelines via Neo3D and KONA 3

AJA has collaborated with workflow solution developer CineForm to provide Apple Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere and other Mac and Windows-based NLE and effects software users with a variety of unique ways to output stereoscopic 3D material using the AJA KONA 3 video capture card through CineFormʼs Neo3D software.

Aja Ki Pro Teams with Avid!

AJA and Avid are pleased to announce Ki Pro compatibility with Avid NLE systems.

Through its own Avid Media Access Architecture (AMA), Avid enables users to connect the AJA Ki Pro to Mac-based Media Composer and Symphony systems to instantly view, edit and play back ProRes QuickTime files with access to all clip metadata.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Craft Director Studio v10.1 and Promotional Edition Released

New version of Craft Director Studio. Are you a 2011 owner of 3ds Max or Softimage? Then you should read the section on how to install the promotional package that gives you access to Craft ObserverCam, Craft HumanizerCam, Craft MultiStateCam, Craft SoftMotionCam and 4 Pre-Rigged Models for free.

 

 

Monday, April 5, 2010

Autodesk 2011 Live Event - April 19


Increase your speed and power without sacrificing flexibility. Deliver building, transportation, and environmental engineering projects faster and more economically. Design, visualize, and simulate ideas on screen – with no need for a physical prototype. It's all possible with Autodesk® 2011 software.


Saturday, April 3, 2010

Autodesk Integrates Craft Director Studio

Autodesk Integrates Craft Director Studio into 2011 Versions of its 3ds Max and Softimage Software!

Craft Animations™ and Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) today announced the integration of certain Craft Director Studio™ plug-ins within the 2011 versions of Autodesk® 3ds Max®, Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design and Autodesk® Softimage® software. Based on cutting-edge research in autonomous control systems, Craft Director Studio provides interactive control and simulation of cameras and vehicles, which helps greatly reduce animation production times.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Sketchbook Pro for Ipad!

Ipad App Store went live, Autodesk Sketchbook Pro listed as one of the nicest screenshots thus far...http://bit.ly/9Wuz4M

Visit motionmedia.com for more Autodesk products (we don't sell Ipad's but I want one!)