3 Day NUKE Training with Steve Wright

3-DAY NUKE CLASS

Motion Media & renowned NUKE Trainer Steve Wright bring you this unique Friday, Saturday and Sunday class on Feb.11-13th, 2011,  that will explore and demonstrate the key features of Nuke and equip attending artists with a basic understanding of Nuke’s powerful workflow. Prerequisites for the class are a solid background in compositing visual effects using programs such as Shake, Combustion, Digital Fusion, Motion, Flame, Toxik or After Effects.

3ds Max and Microsoft Kinect Motion Capture

In 2009, Microsoft gave us a sneak peak of development of the Kinect unit under the name "Project Natal"

Quote: Wikipedia

” Kinect for Xbox 360, or simply Kinect (originally known by the code name Project Natal),[7] is a "controller-free gaming and entertainment experience" by Microsoft for the Xbox 360 video game platform, and may later be supported by PCs via Windows 8.[8] Based around a webcam-style add-on peripheral for the Xbox 360 console, it enables users to control and interact with the Xbox 360 without the need to touch a game controller, through a natural user interface using gestures and spoken commands.[9] The project is aimed at broadening the Xbox 360's audience beyond its typical gamer base.[10] Kinect competes with the Wii Remote with Wii MotionPlus and PlayStation Move & PlayStation Eye motion control systems for the Wii and PlayStation 3 home consoles, respectively."



The introduction in 2009 looked promising for our industry and I spoke to others who thought the same thing.

Could Natal be used to capture motion for the 3D industry, and be used for character animation?

Recently Kinect was released and the community started to experiment with it under windows with open source drivers.

You can read a bit of the history on the drivers and hacking here at Asim Mittals blog.

He also gives a step by step setup of the unit under windows.

Here is a video of real-time motion capture with a custom 3D interface application.

MikuMikuDance with OpenNI

Here is the first known video of Real-time motion in 3dsmax using biped.

Kinect and 3dsmax

It’s just the arms, but it’s a step forward in Development for the Kinect unit and Motion Capture for everyone!

Resources:
OpenNI
OpenNI Google groups
OpenKinect project

NUKE 6.2 & NUKEX 6.2 Released

The Foundry is delighted to release NUKE 6.2 and NUKEX 6.2.

Now shipping, this major release encompasses artist feedback to deliver continued refinements to core operations and the latest technology to emerge from The Foundry's highly regarded in-house research team.

Check out the information below to find out more.

This update is free to anyone with valid maintenance.  If your maintenance has expired, please contact brad@motionmedia.com

NEW IN NUKE 6.2

NUKE 6.2 gets the eagerly anticipated timeline Dope Sheet, making light work of manipulating animation key frames and interactively positioning and trimming read clips.  It also brings significant improvement to rendering performance, flip book playback and 2D tracker interaction, along with enhancements to the expression editor and file browser - all core improvements contributing to improved productivity and workflow.

NEW IN NUKEX 6.2

NUKEX 6.2 adds new image-based modeling tools allowing any artist to easily combine a tracked 3D camera with a selection of 2D image features, automatically creating simple scene geometry. When added to new dense point cloud generation and automatic calibration of projection cameras from 2D images and geometry, NUKEX 6.2 provides new ways to reference and re-apply composited elements more efficiently and realistically into live action scenes.

For those working with CGI rendered elements, NUKEX 6.2 brings Pixar RenderMan Pro Server support to the 3D compositing environment. As an alterative to the in-built scanline renderer, integration with RenderMan aligns NUKE-rendered scenes with the rest of the 3D pipeline, seamlessly matching motion blur and depth of field, whilst providing the compositor with more flexible control of new rendering capabilities such as ray-traced shadows and reflections.

Luxology Delivers New Version of 3D Software modo 501!

Luxology has released modo 501 with many awesome tool updates and performance enhancements.

modo is an innovative 3D modeling, painting and rendering software designed to accelerate the creation of world-class models, associated color , normal maps, and ultra high-quality renderings.

modo 501 Offers Increased Rendering Speed, Ray-traced Viewports, Multi-res Sculpting and Plug-in Opportunities for Third Party Development

Check out all the new 501 features video tour here.

Motion Media is an Authorized Reseller of Luxology's flagship product modo 501.

Free Mocha Pro Webinar Tomorrow

Free mocha Pro webinar tomorrow
Register now:
VFX techniques with mocha Pro webinar
What: a free live online webinar with instructor, Ben Brownlee of Curious Turtle Training
When: December 16, 2010 @ 10:00 AM PST to 11:30 AM PST - Convert Timezone
Register: New Media Webinars

AGENDA

• * How is planar tracker different from other types of tracking?
  * Identifying the best planes to track - even when they are not directly linked to our target.
  * When to split tracking data from the shapes you want to work on.
  * The principle behind removing elements from a shot.
  * Removing a lens flare from footage shot with a moving camera.
  * Stabilizing shots with the Stabilize module.

DURATION

90 Minutes

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Visual Effects Artists, Video Editors, After Effects Users, Final Cut Studio Users, Online Editors, Compositors, VFX Producers, Mocha Users, Mokey Users

PREREQUISITE

Understanding some of the basics of compositing (layers, motion tracking, masks) would be useful as would a basic understanding of the Mocha interface.

Phoenix FD 1.20 now available

The new version of the fluid dynamics system will astonish all fans with the opportunity for liquid simulations

The latest version 1.20 of the grid based simulator for fire and smoke Phoenix FD has just been released. This is one of the newest products of Chaos Group. The software perfectly combines a grid based simulator with outstanding rendering capabilities. In addition to the usual uniform fluid behavior, Phoenix FD is capable of simulating a whole array of additional processes like pressure decay, thermal radiation cooling and mass-temperature dependence.

The grid based simulator is ready to bewilder all fans with an amazing new feature added – the extension for liquid simulations! This product also comes with a lot more features like Turbulence helper, Forward Transfer advection, Randomization, and Analytic scattering mode.

Click Here to Purchase.

Maya Testers Needed

Greenbutton, a cloud rendering plugin company has teamed up with Autodesk and is looking for a test group for their new plugin.  GreenButton software plugins deliver you high performance cloud computing directly to your desktop application. Imagine offloading complex multimedia tasks, statistical analysis from your computer, to thousands of computers.

What is Greenbutton looking for?
"We have just entered a proof of concept with Autodesk to begin development of GreenButton plugins for both Maya and 3ds Max. While we understand the complexity of Maya, what we really want to know, is how we can do this better with the GreenButton.

The idea of this product steering group is for us to better capture what you, as the users really want. So before we charge off and build the standard acceleration functions, we want to ensure that we deliver a truly stunning solution and perhaps add other features that web based services can deliver, e.g. Remote viewing of jobs currently being rendered from a mobile device. "

Click Here to Sign Up

Autodesk 3ds Max and 3ds Max Design 2011 Hotfix 4 Now Available for Customers

An update for Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2011 software and Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design 2011 software is currently available on the Autodesk website. This hotfix helps resolve issues with the following features: the 3ds Max® Character Animation Toolkit, Autodesk® FBX® interoperability, Autodesk® Materials, and mental ray® software. It improves the overall operation of the 3ds Max software products.

For more information on issues resolved in this hotfix, please visit the Shane Griffith's Blog on the AREA

The Foundry Storm NEW STORM BETA RELEASE AVAILABLE

New release of the Storm open Beta.

"This release fixes some critical issues including pre-set look crashes, launch failures and display issues with R3D clips set to the new RedColor2 colour space."

The STORM Public Beta is available for free trial

Also don't forget to watch the introductory videos with Nick Shaw

An introduction to STORM basic workflow

Buy MARI, Get a FREE Quadro 600

Buy MARI, Get a Quadro 600 Card Free!

For a limited time when you purchase MARI, either standalone or floating, you get a free Quadro 600 Card.

Maya running on an iPad

Cloud Computing, Maya and the Ipad

All Things Digital have a technology Video with the folks of OnLive showing off Cloud Computing, Maya with the Ipad.

To skip to the 3D Portion of the video scrub to about 7:25.

Video Link:

cebas releases finalRender 3.5 and 3.5 SE

New Features Deliver 3D-Stereo Camera, Ultra-Fast Global Illumination Engine and More

“We have brought out a new release for our industry leading tool finalRender much faster than usual,” said cebas CEO Edwin Braun. “Our users asked us to make new features available as we develop them so they can put them into production immediately. cebas has responded by releasing a ‘.5’ version as a major release for the first time in our 20-year history. ”

Link for More Information

Adobe® Premiere Pro® CS5 now offers GPU acceleration on laptops

Adobe Premiere Pro CS5, version 5.0.3 is an update available worldwide on December 7, 2010.  This update to Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 adds support for two new NVIDIA cards: the Quadro 4000 (Mac) and the Quadro 5000M (Windows). The addition of these new cards extends the power of the Mercury Playback Engine’s GPU acceleration to users working on laptops as well as workstations.

The 5.0.3 update also includes performance enhancements to further improve the experience of switching between Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 and other applications, as well as other user interface, stability, and performance enhancements that make the Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 editing workflow even more efficient and robust. For a full list of enhancements, check out Adobe Premiere Pro team’s blog post that highlights the 5.0.3 update

Learn How You Can Save Cash on Software Purchases in 2010

Learn how Section 179 Can Increase Your Bottom Line in 2010

Join Motion Media and Jacob Lager of Zuber & Taillieu for a free webinar explaining the details of Section 179, and how you can best use this tax deduction to your advantage. This is not a complicated tax, and it is much easier than you might think to deduct your software & even other purchases as well.

Jacob will go over:

• Section 179 overview


• What you can write off


• How it works


• How financing software this year can actually make you money in 2010


• What other purchase you can deduct with Section 179


• Q&A - Get all of your questions answered.

The Details

Who Should Attend: Anyone who has purchased any software in 2010, or is planning on purchasing before year's end.

When: Thursday, December 9th - 1pm-2pm

Where: Online

Cost: Free

Free Mocha Pro Image Stabilization Tutorial

Check out this free Image Stabilization tutorial using Mocha Pro that was done by the guys at Curious Turtle Training.

mocha Pro: intro to stabilize module from Ross Shain on Vimeo.

Amazing Video made with 3ds Max & Vray

If you haven't already seen this, it is a must see for any aspiring or current visual effects artist. The work here is absolutely amazing, and all done by one person.  It just goes to show that you don't need an entire studio to create something incredible.  The software he used in this is 3ds Max, Vray, After Effects and Premiere Pro.  Enjoy.

The Third & The Seventh from Alex Roman on Vimeo.

Matrox MXO2 Software Updates for Mac

For the MXO2 family of I/O devices on the Mac, this release includes Adobe Creative Suite 5 Production Premium support and a powerful new stand-alone capture software application, Matrox Vetura Capture.

Matrox Vetura Capture lets users quickly and easily capture QuickTime files using popular codecs installed on their editing systems. Users of Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 can capture to the Matrox MPEG2 I-frame full raster (1920 x 1080) HD codec or to other popular Adobe-supported codecs. Users of Final Cut Pro can capture to ProRes and other popular Final Cut Pro codecs. Users of Avid Media Composer can capture directly to Avid DNxHD .mov files or other popular Avid-supported codecs.

Is Staring at a Monitor All Day Harmful?

Most of us sit in front of a computer all day creating 3d models, motion graphics, or just checking our Facebook page, sometimes for more than 10 hours a day!  Is that long exposure to those tiny pixels going to hurt our precious eyeballs?

The consensus at this point is no.  It has been widely agreed that using a computer for eight hours or more a day, every day will not harm your eyes from a medical standpoint; but, and this is a big but, ultimately it will contribute to eyestrain or "tired" eyes.  We've all had those days where it feels like our eyes are going to explode if we stare at the screen for one more second, but we just blink our way through it and move on, because deadlines don't wait!

Ok, well that's great that my eyes aren't physically going to be hurt, but what about my headaches? and my eye strain? Well check out these tips on avoiding and alleviating those problems:

- POSITIONING: Set your screen slightly below your line of sight, approximately an arm's length away from your face to allow your eyes to focus correctly.



- REST: Take a break every hour or so to rest your eyes briefly in order to reduce eye fatigue. Go get that well deserved bagel or coffee that's waiting for you in the breakroom, you know you want to.
- EXERCISE: When taking a breather, focus on distant objects to give your eyes necessary exercise. Go look out the window or across the room, maybe even actually engage with another human.
- BLINK: it is surprisingly easy to forget this one, and it is important, especially if you're wearing contacts. Get in the habit of blinking to lubricate, or if that doesn't work, try using eyedrops.
- LIGHTING: Adjust the lighting around the screen of the computer it should not be placed directly in front of a lamp or a window. Keep your office lighting at a comfortable level too much light causes strain to your eyes when you look at the screen. Too little light will make it difficult to read papers and books on your desk.
- CLEAN: Keep your monitor free of dust - these tiny particles can contribute to eye strain when trying to focus on the screen.

Don't take my word for it, listen to Optomologist and past president of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology, Dr. Mark Dorfman:  "It has not been proven that computers cause any harm to the eyes. Your eyes may become tired, or you may get a headache, but nothing that is physically affecting your eyes. We find that avid readers and those doing other work close to their eyes are at a greater risk. I recommend that people find ways to reduce the glare surrounding their computer, as well as read the screen with a larger font size to lessen the effects,".

Even though staring at your screen all day won't damage your eyes from a medical perspective in the short or long term, why not try and lessen the side effects of eyestrain, because consequentially, tired eyes lead to a tired individual.

The Foundry MARI release event Los Angeles

The Foundry Celebrates the release of Mari with an event in Hollywood, CA.

Join them to celebrate the release of MARI 1.1 on Windows and Linux.

1 December 2010, 7pm to 9.30pm

Gnomon School of VFX

1015 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, 90038

Register for the event at the link below.

MARI is Coming to LA

Free Cinema 4D & Bodypaint 3D Updates Released

Maxon released a new software update for all users or Cinema 4D R12 and Bodypaint 3D R12 that can be downloaded directly via the Online Updater, or on the Maxon Website.  Here are some of the major fixes in this update.

These are the major improvements:

• Image size for rendering increased to 128k x 128k pixels (64-bit only)
• Image size for textures increased to 128k x 128k pixels (64-bit only)
• Alpha-mapped objects now supported in Multi-Pass Depth, UVW and Normal channel
• Axis Gizmo now properly supports world orientation
• Support of Photoshop Big file format (PSB)
• Preference Settings re-introduced (ctrl+click on Mac, Insert At, Paste At, Create New Object in View Center)
• Output Color Profile can be chosen for Bake Texture
• Improved Missing Textures dialog
• Camera shader now supports film offset
• Additional Python methods (CAPoseMorphTag, GetRelMin)
• Vectorworks 2011 Support

Really Cool Animation - Maya & AE

Create a Retro Style Opening Sequence in After Effects

I just came across this new tutorial on Red Giant TV on how to create a cool retro style opening sequence using After Effects, & a few plugins from Red Giant.

Check it out here - http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/videos/redgianttv-video.php?id=56

Webinar: Camera Tracking with 3ds Max & SynthEyes

Motion Media Presents "Camera Tracking with SynthEyes & 3ds Max".
This tutorial is based on the opening sequence of a just released
snowboard video called Cheers, and will be presented by the Animation
Director and Supervisor, Dean Fowler.

See the camera tracking
process on a working production, from the inside. See how Dean worked
with the Director of Photography to create a shot and camera match that
looks realistic and unique.

In this tutorial you will see:

    * Setting up the shot for a Camera Track
    * Tracking using SynthEyes
    * Incorporating a 3d Model into the shot
    * Realistic Lighting and Rendering
    * Animation - (Post Production)

Real Cities Real Fast - Create Urban Environments in Minutes

Learn How to Create Real Cities Real Fast with CityScape Pro from PixelActive.

Motion Media has teamed up with PixelActive to bring you a live webinar designed to show you just what you can accomplish with CityScape and to show you how easy it is to use. You can literally sit down and have a city built within minutes. For more information about CityScape Pro, see below, or check out www.pixelactive3d.com.

What you will see:

• Shape and Layer Terrain


• Create Complex Road Networks with Overpasses and Roundabouts


• Creating Lakes, Rivers and Other Bodies of Water


• Import and Place Custom Props


• Texture Terrain in a Variety of Ways


• Controlling Weather & Time of Day in Your City


• Simulating Traffic in Your City


• Simulating Driving or Flying in Your City

The Details
When: Thursday October 28th, 1pm.
Where: Online - Register Here
Who Should Attend: Architects, City Planners, Game Developers, Animators, Designers, Construction Developers.



What exactly is CityScape Pro?
CityScape was created to reduce the tedious, labor intensive process of building and modifying urban environments, empowering the interactive world builders of tomorrow.

CityScape Pro enables small teams to create and distribute large-scale digital city models, so clients and coworkers can better visualize design ideas and concepts. Maximize existing software and data resources by combining geospatial and CAD data, custom models, and PixelActive’s proprietary parametric modeling and Active Adjustment technologies. Export your terrain to a variety of industry standard file formats or distribute your terrain with the free CityScape Viewer. Experience the joy of building cities today with PixelActive CityScape Pro.

10 Simple yet Elegant Vray Renderings

I was looking through some images that our resident 3ds Max guy had rendered out on his website, and I thought I would put together a post of some of my favorite Vray rendered images. Enjoy!

Newtek shares the latest information on LightWave 10

LightWave 10 is the first release of LightWave 3D® to integrate NewTek’s CORE technology with enhanced Modeler and Layout. The three elements work in unison to give you the workflow and functionality you’re familiar with, along with the interactive power of the innovative CORE technologies. LightWave’s speed, flexibility, value and control are the benefits you count on and LightWave 10 delivers all that and more.

NewTek has released a Video showing off the awesome tools coming in LightWave 10.

Link: NewTek.com

Sample CDS Tools in Maya Subscription Pack

Craft Animations Provides Sample CDS Tools to Users of the Subscription Advantage Pack for Autodesk Maya 2011

Free Select Camera and Vehicle Simulation Tools Enhance Production Quality and Efficiency; CDS Upgraded to Include Maya OS X, 64-bit Compatibility

Craft Animations™ announces the integration of select Craft Director Studio™ (CDS) tools within the Subscription Advantage Pack for Autodesk® Maya® 2011, currently available to customers on Autodesk Subscription at www.autodesk.com/advantagepack-maya.

View Autodesk's short tutorial on the tools included in the Subscription Advantage Pack for Maya 2011

CDS is based on cutting-edge research in autonomous control systems, and provides interactive control and simulation of cameras and vehicles which helps to significantly reduce animation production times. The free CDS sample bundle for Maya 2011 includes:

• Craft SoftMotionCam
• Craft ObserverCam
• Craft MultiStateCam
• Craft HumanizerCam
• Four Craft Pre-rigged Models (from PerspectX)

Craft Animations offers over 20 additional animation tools and six Specialty Edition bundles ideal for 3D animators and visual effects artists, game developers, forensic specialists, CAD professionals, and architectural designers. All tools are compatible with the Maya OS X 64-bit operating system.

Autodesk Maya 2011 LayoutTools 2011 update

Steven Roselle discusses the latest update of Layout Tools 2011 for Maya 2011.  Bug fix #1 - re-docking a floating window would cause layout tools to relaunch.  Bugfix#2 - a crash when you renamed prefix.  Also, he goes over a couple of feature requests such as bookmarks and mental ray support.

http://bit.ly/doBHHo

Autodesk Subscription Advantage Packs!

Maya, Max, Mudbox, and Softimage Customers on the Subscription Program are in for some treats at the end of the Month!

Autodesk 3ds Max

Autodesk Maya

Autodesk Mudbox

NVIDIA GPU Technology Conference!

The conference has started , but some of  us couldn't make it to the event.

We are glad that there is plenty of online Media to get a taste of the happenings at the GPU Technology Conference.

Links:

Tuesdays and Wednesdays Key note recording available.

NVIDIA GPU Tech Page

NVIDIA GPU Technology Conference – Day 1 Video Recap and blog

Phoenix Fluid Dynamics for 3ds Max Upgrade

Chaosgroup has just released the first official upgrade for their new Fluid Dynamics plugin Phoenix. 

You can download the upgrade here (must be logged in).




Here are some of the new features and fixes you can now enjoy in Phoenix FD 1.1:


New features:

• Ability to select which channels to be affected from the sources
  
• Conservative advection (for slow motion and big scale simulations)
  
• Support of Thinking Particles systems as sources

Modified features:

• Improved multithreading of the simulation
  
• FPS indicator of the GPU preview
  
• Ability to change the channels presence during the simulation

Bugs fixed:

• Memory leak when adaptive grid is used with smoke, UVW or fuel channel.
  
• Crash when non solid object is used in brush mode
  
• Artifacts when the light cache is combined with some GI settings. 
  
• The texture modulation does not work with explicit coordinates (uvw channel)

Bringing 3dsMax assets into the Infernal Engine (Game Engine)

From GDC Europe last month. Infernal shows off 3dsMax and Infernal Engine intergration.

Link for More information: Autodesk Area

Want to see more of  Infernal Engine?

Visit: Nvidia nZone Trenches

Deal of the Week - 500GB G-Drive Mobile only $125

The G-Tech G-Drive Mobile is a super stylish and sleek portable hard drive boasting 500GB of storage, high-speed FireWire™ 800, FireWire™ 400* and USB 2.0. Also, who wants to carry around an annoying power supply? Not me, and you don't have to with the  G-DRIVE since it is buspowered through the USB 2.0 or FireWire 800 ports. With up to 500GB of Hitachi disk drive storage space for your important documents, MP3s, digital video, and digital photo files, G-DRIVE mobile is perfect for carrying all your digital content. G-DRIVE mobile also features an all-aluminum base for ruggedness and heat dissipation without the need of a noisy fan. It is also Windows & Mac compatible.

Normally $149, the G-Drive Mobile 500GB hard drive is $125 for this week only. September 6-12th.

Take advantage of this amazing deal today!

Blackmagic Design Software Updates

Blackmagic has released a few software updates to coincide with Adobe's CS 5.0.2 release.  Available releases are for DeckLink, Multibridge, and USB 3.0 Desktop Video version 7.8.1 and Intensity version 3.8.1 for Mac and Windows.




Release highlights include:

• Full support for Premiere 5.0.2 on Mac and Windows
• Major stability improvements to the Mac plug ins
• Minor bug fixes on Windows
• Adobe have also addressed a lot bugs in this release as well as adding support for more CUDA cards for Windows such as the GTX 470

The Updates can be downloaded here - http://www.decklink.com/support/software/

Don't have Adobe CS5 yet? Get it here.

Check out our large selection of Blackmagic Design products.

mental ray® software options that are included with, or available for, Autodesk® Maya® 2011 software

We frequently have conversations with clients explaining the differences  between the various mental ray options available for Maya 2011.  Here is a simple outline that I think will help to at lesat get the basic breakdown of the different options.  Enjoy!  If you have more uestions, just contact us here at Motion Media.

 

The following mental ray® software options are included with, or available for, Autodesk® Maya® 2011 software:

• mental ray for Maya renderer (1 license with each Maya 2011 license)


• mental ray Satellite for Maya (8 licenses with each Maya 2011 license)


• mental ray Batch for Maya (5 licenses with each Maya 2011 network license)


• mental ray Standalone for Maya (each license must be purchased separately)

mental ray for Maya renderer

The mental ray for Maya renderer license is required to use the mental ray software to render 3D scenes on the Maya 2011 host computer.  It is only licensed to run on the computer on which Maya is installed and will use all of that computer’s processors–including all multi-core processors such as those found in dual-core, dual quad-core, and quad quad-core workstations.  The mental ray for Maya renderer is one of four (4) different rendering options available with the Maya 2011 software.  The other three are the Maya native renderer, vector renderer and hardware renderer.  One (1) mental ray for Maya renderer license is provided with each Maya 2011 software license and it can only be used to render 3D scenes created in Maya. ( .ma or .mb scene files)

Advanced Planar Tracking and Roto in mocha Seminar

Motion Media and Imagineer Systems have teamed up to bring you an advanced Planar Tracking and Roto seminar live at Motion Media in Santa Monica.

Motion Media invites you to this advanced VFX training seminar presented by Imagineer Systems Product Specialist, Martin Brennand.

Martin will showing advanced techniques using mocha to solve the most difficult tracking and roto challenges found in post production. Learn how mocha's planar tracker tools work within compositing & finishing environments such as: After Effects, Nuke, and more to save time and money.

Additionally, Imagineer will be showcasing an exciting technology preview of their new product: mocha Pro.

About mocha:
mocha v2 is a stand alone tracking & roto utility designed to complement any compositing and finishing environment. mocha's planar tracker allows artists to easily track shots where point trackers fail.

As a rotoscoping station, mocha's ability to accurately track and render external mattes saves hours of manual labor for articulate matte creation. Create & render mattes with less keyframes!

mocha v2 supports export to: After Effects, Final Cut Pro, Motion, Flame, Smoke, Combustion, Avid|DS, Quantel, Shake, Digital Fusion and Nuke.

Click Here for Location, Times and to Sign Up.

MAXON Announces Immediate Availability of CINEMA 4D Release 12!

[caption id="attachment_1145" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Cinema 4D R12"][/caption]

New Version Extends Dynamics, Rendering, Scripting, Character Animation Capabilities and Company Introduces New Streamlined Product Offerings.

Friedrichsdorf, Germany, September 1, 2010 - MAXON Computer, a leading developer of professional 3D software, today announced the immediate availability of CINEMA 4D Release 12, the next generation of its highly-acclaimed professional 3D software application.

Key Highlights of CINEMA 4D Release 12 and More info.

Cineversity Live! Will be on the air twice a day this week - Wednesday, Thursday and Friday - to coincide with the launch of Release 12.

To view Cineversity Live visit http://live.cineversity.com/

Wednesday, Sept 1
11 am PDT (1800 GMT/ 2000 CET) - General Release Announcement
3 pm PDT (2200 GMT/ 0000 CET) - Rendering Features and Q&A
Thursday, Sept 2
11 am PDT (1800 GMT/ 2000 CET) - Dynamics
3 pm PDT (2200 GMT/ 0000 CET) - Release 12 Q&A
Friday, Sept 3
11 am PDT (1800 GMT/ 2000 CET) – New Character Tools and Deformers
3 pm PDT (2200 GMT/ 0000 CET) - Release 12 Q&A

Additionally, Cineversity Live! will be on the air every Wednesday for the rest of September:
Wednesday, Sept 8, 11 am PDT (1800 GMT/ 2000 CET)
Wednesday, Sept 15, 11 am PDT (1800 GMT/ 2000 CET)
Wednesday, Sept 22, 11 am PDT (1800 GMT/ 2000 CET)
Wednesday, Sept 29, 11 am PDT (1800 GMT/ 2000 CET)

Autodesk Announces AutoCAD for the Mac

Autodesk Announced yesterday that it will be releasing AutoCAD for Mac later this year.  This is an awesome development and we're really excited about this. 

If you’re a longtime AutoCAD® expert, you’ll feel at home with AutoCAD® for Mac® software—the commands and tools you use every day work here too. For those who haven’t used AutoCAD in years, the intuitive interface and context-sensitive help function in AutoCAD for Mac can help smooth out your learning curve.

AutoCAD® for Mac® software—it’s AutoCAD, for the Mac, bringing robust 3D free-form design tools and powerful drafting capabilities to your platform of choice. It takes full advantage of the Mac OS® X platform, with an intuitive, graphical user interface that makes it easy to bring your ideas to life. And because it’s AutoCAD, you’re working natively in DWG™ format, so you can easily share files with clients, suppliers, and partners around the world, regardless of platform.

3D Capture and Playback for DeckLink HD Extreme 3D

Blackmagic Design has released a new software update for Media Express which brings 3D Capture and Playback support to the DeckLink HD Extreme 3D.

In this release is the DeckLink version 7.8 and Media Express version 2.2 software.  These releases include full 3D capture and playback support for HD Extreme 3D with Media Express. Our 3D support includes dual stream SDI capture and playback as well as a muxed HDMI output for monitoring in side by side, line by line, top and bottom or left eye/right eye 3D formats.

There are also new updates for Multibridge and Intensity. These updates include some performance improvements for CS5 with DVCPRO and P2 formats as well as some minor bug fixes.

The updates can be downloaded here.
http://www.decklink.com/support/software/

In addition, the DeckLink manual has also been updated with information needed for 3D capture and playback support.  You’ll find the revised manual here:
http://www.decklink.com/support/documentation/

AJA Ki Pro Version 2.0 Firmware Release

AJA Ki Pro version 2.0 firmware is now available as a free download from AJA’s website! New features in this release include:

• 8-channel embedded audio support
• Multi-unit Gang recording via the web UI
• Custom Clip Naming
• RS-422 support

Download Ki Pro version 2.0 here. This release is recommended for all Ki Pro users. A detailed Release Notes is included with the installer and is also available here. It is highly recommended to read this thoroughly as it contains important installation and operational information. The Ki Pro user manual has also been updated with the new features and workflows and is included with the installer, and is also available here.

Autodesk Maya 2011 License Manager install on Mac OSX - quick steps

Here are some simple instructions to get the Autodesk License Manager for Maya 2011 network version installed on OSX.  It has a couple of nice tips versus what's in the documentation.

1. Buy Maya 2011 from Motion Media.  :)

2. Provide your machine name and MAC address to either your Motion Media sales rep or directly to Autodesk, in order to obtain a network license file.  Tip: End-users have access to get this directly online, 24/7. 

3. Download the server tools (Autodesk License Manager) and run the install:

www.autodesk.com/licensetools

Funny Video VFX Guy vs Producer

Saw this funny video about a clueless producer trying to hire a vfx artist for a "low budget" film. Pretty funny.

V-Ray RT for Autodesk Maya Beta Program

Chaosgroup announced V-Ray RT for Autodesk Maya

V-Ray RT for Autodesk Maya is now available for download and ready to be tested by all current V-Ray for Maya users.  Be among the first beta testers to experience the possibilities of this awaited rendering solution.

Join the V-Ray RT for Maya BETA Program

* You must be a current V-Ray for Autodesk Maya user and registered at the Chaos Group website

Digital Tutors Mudbox 2011 Essentials Learning Videos - Free

Digital Tutors introduces new users to the features of Autodesk® Mudbox 2011 and takes them through the steps of creating a model from the initial sculpting and texturing, to painting, lighting and exporting to animation software.

These videos are a great resource for anyone starting with Mudbox 2011!

Link: Free Mudbox 2011 Essentials Learning Videos by Digital Tutors!

Matrox Axio and RT.X2 5.0 CS5 Beta Release

The Matrox Axio and RT.X2 5.0 beta releases for use with Adobe CS5 will be available later today on our user forums. We are in the process of finalizing these drivers for release in October 2010, but would like to offer them to users in the meantime. The attached documents explain the details of these releases.

To download the new beta drivers visit our user forums:

Matrox RT.X2 User Forum
Matrox Axio User Forum

Zbrush 4.0 for Mac and Windows Now Available

ZBrush 4.0 has been released by Pixologic for both the Mac and PC as of today.  All customers who have purchased previous versions of ZBrush are eligible for a free upgrade and should be receiving an email directly from Pixologic.  If you don't receive yours, you can call us at 310-450-4000 and we'll get your ZBrush 4.0 license for you.

If you are a new ZBrush user, as of right now, your purchase is available as a download only, and boxes will be shipped at yet undetermined later date.

Also being released is a special anniversary edition of Zbrush that comes in a special tin case (pictured). Details on that coming soon.

Choas Group releases Phoenix FD!

Hot news about the latest product developed by Chaos Group: the fluid dynamics plug-in for 3ds Max Phoenix FD is officially released and available from today, 9th of August 2010.

For more information visit Chaos Group here

Autodesk Launches Entertainment Creation Suites Premium at Siggraph

Autodesk, Inc. introduced Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suites Premium, offering a powerful set of tools for 3D modeling, digital sculpting, texture painting, animation, effects, rendering and compositing. The Premium Suites provide integration across applications for enhanced interoperability and efficiency, enabling artists to explore creative ideas with advanced modeling and animation technology.

“We created the Premium Suites to give artists the tools and freedom they need to tackle complex creative projects with greater ease and efficiency, enabling them to build more sophisticated CG production pipelines at a much lower cost than was previously possible”

Zbrush 4.0 Unveiled at Siggraph 2010!

Pixologic unveils ZBrush Version 4.0 (for Win and Mac) at Siggraph 2010!

Booth #709 Los Angeles Convention Center
27th-29th July

Pixologic, Inc., makers of the award winning ZBrush is pleased to announce that it will be unveiling the latest software in the Pixologic line - ZBrush Version 4.0 (for Win and Mac) at Siggraph 2010 show Los Angeles Convention Center
27th-29th July 2010.

Pixologic also announced that following the 'sneak preview' at Siggraph 2010, ZBrush 4.0 will be available to the public for purchase and download on 8/9/10 (Monday 9th August 2010).

Those visiting the Siggraph exhibition floor will have the opportunity to pre- purchase a special edition package of ZBrush 4.0 at the Pixologic Booth!

ZBrush is the leading 2D/3D digital sculpting application for artists today and is used extensively in the film, game, toy and collectible industries as well as scientific illustration.

Pixologic will be hosting hourly demonstrations at Booth #709 where attendees, users and newcomers will see and explore the latest exciting ZBrush 4.0 features, presented live by industry renowned character modeling artists and supervisors- from Disney Animation Studios, Blur Studios, Naughty Dog and other top film and gaming studios.

Jimmy Golding, Marketing Director at Pixologic commented:

''This is the 10th anniversary year of ZBrush! We are looking forward to a very exciting show and the opportunity to reveal the latest features of ZB4 to our fans, community, newcomers and future talent.''

Pipeline fx Announces Qube! 6.0

PipelineFX, makers of Qube!™ - the leading render farm management software for digital media creation, announced today the availability of Qube! 6.0 with "Smart Farming" technology.

"Smart Farming" describes a system for render farm management that delivers the power of pipeline data through integrated charting and reporting, automates labor intensive render farm processes, and integrates with other digital media infrastructure packages. The concept was developed after an extensive product validation process with customers across digital media verticals in major markets around the world.

Win Free Tickets to the BLUR Party at Siggraph 2010

Motion Media is giving away two tickets to the BLUR party at Siggraph featuring the Crystal Method and more. 

Sign Up Here

Autodesk Maya 2011 Hotfix 3

Autodesk has released a third Hotfix for Maya 2011.

The download is a complete full installer.

You'll have to uninstall old version, for the new hot-fixed version

Read me and Download here.

List of Parties at Siggraph 2010

Check out the list below for information on getting into some of the best parties at Siggraph 2010. We will update the list as information comes in, but if your having a party or know of a party that we don't have listed, let us know here.

Be sure to bookmark this page as it will be updated daily from now until Siggraph!

BLUR 2010 - The Ultimate Siggraph Party - SPONSORED BY MOTION MEDIA
Wednesday July 28th 9pm-2am
Music Box Theater
Invite/Wristbands Only - You can register for a chance to win a free ticket here.

It will be featuring a new dancing/performance act in between the DJ set and the Crystal Method gig.

Unofficial Siggraph CGI Beach Party
Sunday July 25th - noon to sunset
Venice Beach Pier (at the end of Washington St.)
Join us for the second annual LA Siggraph CGI Beach Party. The party officially starts at noon and is open to all CGI students and professionals who love sun and surf.
Click Here for more info and directions

Pipeline FX, Shotgun and Tweak Software Party
Tuesday July 27th 9pm-Midnight
Where: Seven Grande
Invite/Wristbands Only
More Info Here

ACM Siggraph Chapter Party
Monday July 26th, 8:30pm - 2am
At Club 740 In downtown LA.

The Foundry GeekFest
This event is FREE, but places are limited and fill fast, so don't miss out REGISTER NOW.
Follow the link for more info: http://beta.thefoundry.co.uk/articles/2010/07/06/68/the-foundry-geekfest-at-siggraph-2010/

SIGGRAPH Reception
Wednesday 8-10pm at the Westin Bonaventure Ballroom

Mingle with the movers and synergize with the shakers as the international computer graphics community gathers for its biggest social event of the year. Bring your business cards. SIGGRAPH 2010 provides food, beverages, and a legendary LA location: The Westin Bonaventure Hotel, which has starred in many feature films: “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century”, “This is Spinal Tap”, “In the Line of Fire”, “Nick of Time”, “True Lies”, “Midnight Madness”, “Hard to Kill”, and “Chuck”. In “Escape From LA” and “Epicenter”, it was destroyed by visual effects.

Animation Mentor Happy Hour
This event is only open to Animation Mentor Students and Alumni

• When: 10 PM - 2 AM
• Where: Boardners, Downtown Los Angeles
• Website: http://www.boardners.com
• RSVP: Email Grace@AnimationMentor.com by July 22nd to reserve your spot
• Kick off Siggraph with Animation Mentor students and alumni for an 80's night. Must arrive before 10:30 PM. Drinks $8 - $10. Must be 21 or older to attend, tickets required at the door.

23rd Anniversary CG Show/SAKE Barrel Opening Party
6PM on Wednesday July, 28
JW Marriot, Salon C

Siggraph After Party - 3D Production

July 27, 2010 5-8pm
ESPN Zone at L.A. Live
19th Hole Bar
1011 S. Figueroa St, Ste. B101
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Join us on for an exclusive Siggraph after party. Isilon, Integrated Media Technologies (IMT), Atempo, and Southpaw present an evening of fun, food, and drinks with the creative minds behind some of today's hottest 3D Productions.

Guest speakers and topics will include:

• Wayne Miller, President and Chief Creative Officer of Action 3D – How he shot live concerts like Dave Matthews, Phish, and JayZ in 3D
• David Kenneth, Executive Producer of IE Effects – How his firm developed the 3D exhibit for the World Fair in China and the work they did on Michael Jackson's This Is It in 3D

Register for this event here.

NYU-SCPS CADA Alumni Networking Event
Wednesday July 28, 2010 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Hotel Figueroa Terrace & Pool 939 S. Figueroa Street
Open to all as a networking event.

Join CADA Alumni, Students, and Siggraph Friends for a few hours of socializing and networking.

RSVP cada.alumni@nyu.edu CADA Siggraph Booth #1131

 

Lagoa Multiphysics and Softimage ICE

Autodesk Softimage

+

Thiago Costa

= Lagoa Multiphysics 1.0 via Softimage ICE

Check out the teaser video

http://vimeo.com/13457383

Blur, Blizzard eye candy project trailers

First up is this awesome teaser trailer for  "The Goon"

Our Client Blur Studios with David Fincher are working on this project.

Link We love it!

Blizzard is launching their StarCraft II Wings of Liberty game on the 27th of this month.

Let the Zerg Rush begin!