VizWorld.com

The Third Floor, well known previsualization experts, recently turned to StudioGPU’s real-time 3D workflow features in MachStudio Pro for their recent work in stereoscopic 3D production.

“Finding MachStudio Pro was like finding the Holy Grail,” says Chris Edwards, founder and CEO of The Third Floor. “You can literally convert previs assets or final assets and port them to MachStudio Pro to create a real-time light sculpting experience. As the previsualization pipeline evolves people are trying to figure out how to compete in a global marketplace,” continues Edwards. “We see MachStudio Pro playing a key role in the future of virtual cinema.”

Stereoscopic films, in particular, require much more planning than traditional films.  Some of this is due to inexperience in the field, but largely it’s due to the additional requirements brought on by working in an environment where the relative depth of objects suddenly becomes much more important.  Full release after the break.

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Graphics machstudio, previs, studiogpu, third floor

Avatar has really impacted the visual effects and digital cinematography industry in a huge way, bringing previs, CG rendering, motion capture, and direct video into a single seamless real-time package that opens a whole new world to directors and filmmakers.  AWN has a great writeup on what James Cameron and Rob Legato were able to accomplish, and what it might mean in the future.

Thus, thanks to the virtual cinematography workflow created by Rob Legato, allowing Cameron to observe directly on an LCD monitor how the actors’ CG characters (or avatars) interact with the CG Pandora in realtime and direct scenes as though he were shooting live action, digital and live action moviemaking have become one. In other words, everything you've heard or read about the new digital paradigm or 5D has now become a reality. Which also means that pre and post are obsolete, compositing will have to be redefined and so might previs.

via Avatar: The Game Changer | AWN | Animation World Network.

Graphics "motion capture", avatar, previs

Today marks the birth of the “Previsualization Society”, a group focusing on resource for effective previs and founded by the likes of David Dozoretz (POV Previs), Chris Edwards (Third Floor), Ron Frankel (Proof), Colin Green (Pixel Liberation Front), Daniel Gregoire (Halon Entertainment), and Brian Pohl (POV Previs). From the press release:

The Previsualization Society includes members from many different disciplines and markets, just as the previs process does, and is already comprised of a number of charter members from the motion picture industry. The Previsualization Society will focus on producing and publishing information and resources to promote effective previs through key activities such as promoting standards, education, workflow development and practical knowledge exchange. As inspired by the recently completed ASC-ADG-VES Joint Technology Subcommittee on Previsualization, co-chaired by David Morin and Ron Frankel, the organization will also provide a platform for ongoing interchange and learning between all contributors that engage with previs.

Charter sponsors include the likes of Autodesk, and one of the main aims of the society is to facilitate interoperability of the various tools and to build workflows and pipelines to share in the industry.

via fxguide quick takes » The Previsualization Society.

Graphics autodesk, previs, society

FrameForge Previz, popular pre-visualization, storyboarding and animation package for Mac and Windows, has just upgraded to a new version named “FrameForge Previz Studio3″ with a few new features.  Big feature in this release: stereoscopic rendering.

With real-time Stereographic display, optically accurate cameras, fully customizable stereo rigs, automatic out-of-range positive parallax warnings and more, this stereographic 3D edition of FrameForge Previz Studio will allow you to prepare and control the stereographic depth of your shots in your pre-production as easily as it can your framing.

If you’re interested and in Burbank this Thursday (Aug 27th), then you might want to stop by and check it out as they’ll be doing a day-long demonstration.  Find the full details after the break.

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Graphics frameforge, previs, software, stereoscopic