VizWorld.com

One of the features advertised in the new Google Earth 5.0 is their new underwater bathemetry data.  But where is this data coming from?

The unclassified bathymetric data sets and sea surface temperatures from the NAVOCEANO were incorporated in the newest version of Google Earth, launched Feb. 2.

As part of the research and development agreement, the Navy has received Google Earth Enterprise licenses which provide for technical support that will enable the Navy to better search, view and prepare products from their extensive oceanographic data holdings.

So the US Navy is providing both Bathetry models and sea surface temperature to Google in exchange for enterprise licenses for Google Earth, which will supplement/replace their existing model analysis tools.

Not a bad trade, if you ask me.

The Picayune Item – Naval Oceanography, Google Work Together to Visualize the World’s Oceans.

Science google

LinceoVR3.0 is now free for students.

LinceoVR 3.0 is the first real time rendering software with instantaneous camera matching for immediate contextualization of 3D models in the real world. LinceoVR 3.0 uses state-of-the-art lighting techniques to generate and display, in real time, exceptionally realistic images in computer graphics, using HDRI and OPENEXR lighting and Ambient Occlusion for realistic shadows.

LinceoVR is based on OpenGL and uses the most advanced lighting technologies for visualising in real time 3D models in exceptional realistic computer graphics, glsl materials, ambient occlusion shadows, Opengl Quadbuffer stereoscopy, allowing one’s own product to be contextualised in the real world comparing the design with the competitor’s one and offering the final customer a virtual test of the products without the need to produce them.

via Seac02 s.r.l Products.

Science

CGSociety has an interview with Phillipe Rebours. He’s just finished working with ILM on iron Man, and is wrapping up work as digital production supervisor for the new Terminator Salvation film.  He’s also worked on The Phantom Menace, Galaxy Quest, and The Perfect Storm.

If you had been in the audience in Sausalito, California last summer watching a live theater performance of Michael Frayn’s drama “Benefactors,” it might not have occurred to you that the director was one of the technical wizards who helped mastermind the visual effects for Iron Man, which is nominated for a 2009 Best Visual Effects Oscar. And, when he’s not doing that, he’s playing bass in a garage band.

via CGSociety – Philippe Rebours.

Graphics

Autodesk issued a Press Release yesterday detailing changes in the Autodesk 2010 suite specific to “Infrastructure Modeling Software for Utilities, Telecommunications, and Governments”.  Unlike the others they’ve issued, this one includes Topobase & Raster Design.  A sample:

• Support for additional AutoCAD Products–Now compatible with AutoCAD P&ID, AutoCAD Civil, and Autodesk Topobase software.
• More Deployment Options–Citrix Ready application, enabling deployment via a Citrix application delivery environment when used with AutoCAD Map 3D 2010 software.

via Autodesk – Press Room – Press Releases.

Graphics autocad

Over at DirectionsMag, Adena Schutzberg has rounded up the changes in AutoCAD, AutoCAD Map3D, and AutoCAD MapGuide Enterprise most likely to impact Geospatial users.  They range from the usual (Another new DWG file format) to the surprising (new ribbon-style interface).

Autodesk Announces 2010 Product Releases: Geospatial Highlights – Articles.

Science autocad, autodesk

The TeraGrid09 conference will be June 22-25,2009 in Arlington, VA.  Submissions are being accepted now for papers and talks, and this year they’re having a Visualization Showcase.

Visualization showcase

The Visualization Showcase provides a digital gallery of the powerful, evocative imagery associated with the TeraGrid’s most exciting and compelling results. Visualization showcase abstracts due 24 April. Contact: Joseph Insley (insley at mcs.anl.gov) or Kelly Gaither (kelly at tacc.utexas.edu).

Home – TeraGrid 09.

Science teragrid

Escape Studios is offering a course on Camera Tracking in Visual Effects.  Over 12 hours of video instruction with one-on-one interaction with tutors and experts will make you an expert in Maya & PFTrack.  The course is open right now for $299.

Camera Tracking for visual effects at Escape Studios.

Graphics

In its final excerpt from “The Official Luxology modo301 guide”, VFXWorld and Daniel Ablan talk about using modo301 to sculpt terrain.

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Graphics luxology, modo, modo301

Digital Content Producer has a step-by-step description of how the folks behind “Hotel for Dogs” were able to rebuild a burned hotel with Digital Effects, and still hit their deadline.

Murphy’s Law predicts that if anything can go wrong, it will go wrong. It’s often invoked by moviemakers, and one snafu really complicated the visual-effects assignment on the DreamWorks/Paramount hit comedy Hotel for Dogs. Before Director Thor Freudenthal could get a key shot that he wanted of the hotel itself, a fire on the famed Universal Studios back lot destroyed the practical set. Visual Effects Supervisor Ray McIntyre Jr., of Los Angeles-based Pixel Magic, was watching the evening news and recalls hearing of the event. “I definitely knew that the fire had changed the scope of our shot,” he says.

With careful camerawork, some LightWave modeling and After Effects magic, you’ld never know it had caught fire.

Step by Step: Hotel for Dogs.

Graphics

VFXWorld has an article up talking to Peerless Camera Co. and Digiscope about the effects in the new movie Push.

Digiscope tackled a majority of the telekinesis shots. Digital Supervisors Dion Hatch and Brent Prevatt oversaw the effort, along with Digital Producer Terron Pratt. “For nearly all of these shots, we simply worked the effect over the stunt action,” Hatch says. “There were a few cases where we had to rotoscope the stunt performers and change either their trajectory or speed. We also added CG debris and dust on some of the shots to enhance their impact with the walls or the bamboo scaffolding.”

….. >> VFXWorld / Feature Articles << …...

Graphics