Review: Autodesk 3ds Max 2012

For the past several releases of 3ds Max users have been teased with what the Excalibur (XBR) project had in store for the future …

Z slice with soft falloff

I’m using Z slice to make a custom DOF tool. Cutting the Z into multiple slices. I’d like to blend smoothly between them.

Is there a way to get a Z slice with a soft edge that falls off. It needs to falloff along the Z axis and keep all its aliased properties.

Stuart

Digital Domain shapes Dark of the Moon

Digital Domain shapes Dark of the Moon

Transformers3dd_featured

In this interview fxguide talks to Digital Domain visual effects supervisor Matthew Butler about his team’s 350 shots for Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Responsible for the characters Laserbeak, Brains, Wheels and the Decepticon protoforms hiding out on the moon, views of the space bridge, as well as the elaborate Bird Men skydiving sequence, Digital Domain this time handled all of the shots in stereo for the film – director Michael Bay’s third Transformers outing. Additionally, Digital Domain’s sister company, In-Three, handled some of the 3D conversion.

Beautiful Beaches of San Francisco

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9S-a…feature=relmfu

A beautiful look at the various beaches of San Francisco.

SUBSCRIBE TO US ON YOUTUBE! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_…esimplycomplex

-Shot entirely with the Canon 7D
-Edited in Avid Media Composer 5
-Visual effects done in Adobe After Effects CS5

How would i make a Jade material?

I want to make a realistic jade material. I have a general idea on how to go about it, but I was wondering if anybody had any other insights.

My approach is to use a jade texture and then just create all the maps from the texture. I want it to look as realistic as possible so i can put it into my own plate, so lighting and everything else has to react like it would with real jade etc

Could this be done by using the maya materials like procedural textures?

Thanks guys

Save new version without the “v” ahead?

Hi, I need to save all my scrips with the tipical numeration system like REEL_SHOT_0001, REEL_SHOT_0002, and so on.

I would like to use the "save new version" with this particular format but seems like Nuke only want files with an "v" ahead of the version number to do an incremental save.

Anyone knows how to modify this behaviour?

Thanks

Rigging Supervisor – Method Studios LA

Based in Los Angeles, with locations in Vancouver, London and New York, Method is a leading post production facility providing a full range of visual effects services.
As an artist driven company Method is built around an exceptional team of VFX professionals who have created award winning visual effects for Feature Film, Commercials and Music Videos.

Recent feature credits for Method include; “Nightmare on Elm Street”, “Sorcerer’s Apprentice”, “Let Me In”, “Life as we Know it” and “Gulliver’s Travel”.
Current shows in production include, “Captain America”, “X-men”, “Cristiada”, “This Means War” and “Wrath of the Titans”.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Used to various use of commercial and proprietary tools to create character rigs
Work with modeling department and animation department to create characters
Integration of characters and rigs into the production pipeline
Create User Interfaces and tools that assist animators
Works in partnership with R&D programmers, Animators, Lighting TD’s to ensure shots are delivered to the very highest standard
Provide support to character rigs throughout production
Write scripts that automate character production
5 + years work experience. 2 years supervising
Solid knowledge of rigging systems.
Comprehensive knowledge of Maya. Houdini a plus
A reel demonstrating a both control systems and complex deformations.
Good time and project management, accessibility a must.

Requirements:

Thorough understanding of techniques and technologies relating to character rigging and animation comprehension of core principles relating to rigging such as deformation order and the transformation matrix
Excellent understanding of anatomy, volumes and masses, dynamics and character motion
Experience in feature film/broadcast visual effects production
Good understanding of the entire visual effects process, from shooting to modeling to texturing, animation and rendering
Good computer skills, particularly with UNIX/Linux command line interface
MEL and Python programming essential
Maya API C++ programming also a plus

Reels/Resumes can be sent to: method-la-recruiting@methodstudios.com

Stephen Kelleher

Stephen Kelleher updates, and his work is fun, funny, smart and great.

Assistant Produce with a Famous Producer!

Zooppa.com has partnered with MatchingDonors.com to help create awareness for living organ donors. We’re looking for a 30-second Public Service Announcement in the form of a video that celebrates, promotes, or teaches about being a living organ donor on MatchingDonors.com.

Prizes for the first place winner include assistant producing and/or work and credits on a TV show, movie, or music video with one of Zooppa’s renowned guest judges. They will also be awarded a $5,000 cash prize and two tickets to the Hollywood Awards® Gala on October 24th, 2011 in Hollywood, CA. The second and third place winners will also get a cash prize and the opportunity to assistant produce and/or get work and credits on a TV show, movie, or music video.

The contest has started and videos can be uploaded until 9/13/11. Here is the link to the creative brief and more information on this contest: http://zooppa.com/contests/matchingd…a-piece-of-you

Put those organs to work on making a video for us! Good luck!

CG Supervisor – Vancouver, BC

CG Supervisor
  • Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • Open Positions: 1


Who is Gener8?

Gener8 is revolutionizing the exploding market for 3D feature film production. Our partners and customers are the world’s major motion-picture studios. We work with industry leaders such as Sony Pictures, Warner Entertainment and Columbia Pictures with the primary objective of helping to produce the highest-quality, top-grossing stereoscopic 3D releases.

"Gener8 is setting the standard for 3D post translation. Their stereo process starts with principal photography and leads into post migrating with VFX giving me the flexibility to design the stereo in a facility atmosphere without the pressures of on-set production. This unique approach has changed the way I think of post 3D its a game changer!"
Craig Mumma, Stereographer, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
Why Work Here?

We want to secure the best and brightest local and international talent, and believe we have taken the right steps to do so. Here is why people love working here!

· We are in massive growth mode, and have ambitious plans for our future
o New divisions, new technology creation, and room for advancement are all around you
· Everyone, including you, has the opportunity to shape our culture
o Bring your ideas and we promise to listen to them … this is one of our core values
· You will work on AAA film productions
o Who doesn’t want to say they worked on a blockbuster movie to their friends and family?
· We organize fun events like going to see our new movies together before they are released
o Transit, popcorn, ticket, and fun all included
· You get to work with top level partners such as Sony, Warner Bros, and Columbia Pictures
o Knowing people in the know … you know?
· Excellent Management team, who are leading the way in creating new technology
o http://www.gener8.com/about/management/
· Did we mention we are all really, really good looking?
o Think about being surrounded by beautiful people … nothing wrong with that

Why does this particular role rock?
Each role here has its own super special advantages here at Gener8. This is why you want this one:
· This is a permanent fulltime career opportunity
o None of that stress of going contract to contract anymore, who needs that?
· Excellent Industry Leading benefits package, including 4 weeks of paid vacation per year
o Take care of yourself, mentally and physically … you deserve it
· Help shape Gener8’s culture
o You will be a leader here. You can directly change and help develop who we are
· You have the power to design, alter, and improve pipelines and processes
o Consider yourself the Mr. or Mrs. Fix It
· Stock Option Plan in the works for you
o That’s right! We want you to have a share of the company
· A great way to either gain experience or enhance your skill set in Stereo Conversion
o This is an emerging technology and is in high demand

Everyone loves a Job Description – so here you go!

General Duties and Responsibilities

· Works with the technical team to help design and implement proprietary and third-party production pipelines
· Identifies, defines and implements tools that automate production
· Works with IO department to ingest, process plates and VFX assets
· Assesses client plates for technical quality issues
· Prior to submission to client, reviews all shots for artifacts relating compositing or colour space issues.
· Provides general support and reviews for data input and output functions
· Assist the team in debugging problematic shots and assist in optimizing shots for efficiency
· Be actively involved in mentoring junior artists throughout productions
· Serves as key technical expert on productions

Qualifications

· Worked on a minimum of 5 films, and hopefully more
· Solid knowledge of VFX shot production and its iteration process
· Thorough understanding of color theory, film application and stereoscopic theory for live-action features
· Extensive hands-on experience with production tools and pipelines
· Experience with compositing as well as integration of 3D elements into plates
· Experience / exposure in Maya and Nuke
· Experience with programming/scripting languages such as Python is a plus

Soft Skills

· Ability to bring an “artist’s eye” to review work
· A true desire to manage and mentor younger team members
· An understanding of working with clients and the external world
· A passion for doing something “right”, as you may be the final voice in terms of quality and expectations on shots

If you are interested in this position and knowing more, please submit your resume and cover letter to recruiting@gener8.com. Our fantastic recruitment and HR team will be ready and waiting to make the entire process a whole lot of fun.