IRON MAN 2: Interview of Danny Yount at Prologue Films

Hi everyone,

Here the interview of Danny Yount, art director at Prologue Films about his work on IRON MAN 2.

And for the 1st time on The Art of VFX, a breakdown clip!

http://www.artofvfx.com/?p=369

CGnews.com for sale!

Hi,

We are selling the CGnews.com domain and website in order to focus on VFXtalk and VFX only. I will set up a auction on eBay over the weekend so people can bid on it.

If you are interested please PM me, and please forward this on

Jah

RUMBLEFISH FOR FORST BEER!

An unknown species roam undisturbed in the uncontaminated nature in Alto Adige. Forst beer’s glasses with arms and legs having fun in these fabulous places, are the key factor of the creative concept: a good and top quality beer because it originates from the untouched region of Alto Adige. This campaign is broadcasted in TV in three subjects where these cute little “animals” are sighted during their everyday lives just as a typical documentary.

Rumblefish is proud of taking its part in this important project because was able to demonstrate, once again, its great expertise and creativity. The goal was to show these creatures, glasses of beer with arms and legs, fantastic but as probable as possible. Our VFX department making use of the dynamics simulation with the 3D software, solved problems like: little bubbles, correct movement of the beer and the right consistency of the foam. They reached a realistic look thanks to the Image base lighting techniques. The production, during the shooting stage, of HDRI (high dynamic range images) images of the environment was fundamental in the post production process. Our artists also reproduced perfectly that particular luminous effect that light creates passing through liquid and glass. But Rumblefish’s team did the best in the animation phase.

They had to be able to comunicate tenderness, fragility and purity without the use of the facial expressions. They used only the body movements which bust was completely rigid. The variuos passes created from the render engine, were skillfully composited by our artists. The color grading in 2K and 3K with Davinci Resolve gave the master touch.

Watch the video!
http://www.rumblefish.it/Dynamic/Wor…&intItemID=410

Importance of VFX in Transformers vs Megan Foxx

Not sure if anyone has posted this yet:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lee-st…_b_586134.html

CGI vs VFX

Hi, Came across the following text on the interweb…

"Computer-generated imagery (CGI), often incorrectly referred to as Animation in India, is the application of 3D computer graphics to special effects in films, television programs, commercials, and printed media. Video games usually use real-time computer graphics (rarely referred to as CGI), but may also include pre-rendered "cut scenes" and intro movies (or FMVs–full motion videos) that would be typical CGI applications.

CGI is used for visual effects because computer generated effects are more controllable than other more physically based processes, such as constructing miniatures for effects shots or hiring extras for crowd scenes, and because it allows the creation of images that would not be feasible using any other technology. It can also allow a single graphic artist to produce such content without the use of actors, expensive set pieces, or props.

3D computer graphics softwares such as Autodesk’s Maya is used to make computer-generated imagery for movies, advertisements, etc. Recent availability of CGI software and increased computer speeds have allowed individual artists and small companies to produce professional grade films, games, and fine art from their home computers. This has brought about an Internet subculture with its own set of global celebrities, clichés, and technical vocabulary."

What I understand from this is that Animation is a subset of Visual Effects. IS VFX truly the bigger picture? (pun intended)

Comments, anyone?

10% off cmivfx.com

Use the code: RFBLOG10 to get 10% off.
This is a special deal from cmivfx.com and BlogRyan.net

NOW PLAYING: SLICED on History Channel

Show Open by Mechanism Digital

New York, NY – Mechanism Digital completed the show open and in-show graphics package, including a logo design, currently airing on History Channel’s. The show features host John McCalmont using powerful tools to slice open an array of everyday items to learn how they work.

History approached Mechanism Digital to design and create the elements that would become the series open, transitions, lower-thirds and ultimately become the show’s identity. To establish the most effective image, Mechanism’s designer Nate Mulliken performed a thorough study of the program, and researched current design trends. After reviewing all the creative materials and clips provided by the network, Mulliken developed the design for a powerful impression that supports the branding of the show.

The heavy, bold Bladi One Slab font in 3D exhibits the power of the tools and scale of the “slices”. Within the logo are visual elements that make the text appear to be cut in half as if to study the inner workings of the objects. The elements of the graphics package were then derived from the main design of the open to resonate throughout the show.

Acropora release candidate (RC1) available

Acropora (1.0.0012 RC1) Release candidate is now available for download.
Acropora is a procedural voxel modeler for creating complex, organic mesh topologies that are useful for all types of 3D modeling applications. Acropora incorporates some of the latest advances in voxel modeling technology. Features include:

– A widevariety of base shapes and compound shapes as primary surfaces
– User-defined surfaces
– Voxelisation of user imported models
– Over 50+ volume modifiers
– Automatic generation of up to 15 octaves of three-dimensional noise (volumetric, Perlin and fractal)
– Extensive voxel and noise editing tools
– Extensive post-processing of meshes (tesselation, smoothing, simplification,…)
– Batch processing
– Multiple LOD support
– Export to multiple mesh formats, DDS volume textures, and raw voxel data

Additions and improvements:
– General undo function
– Improved GUI design (new Tools pane)
– Lofts & grooves (for generating spline-controlled volumes)
– Extrude & bore
– Fall-off for regions
– Added flat-bottom filter
– Added taper modifier
– Carving pen (with cube, sphere and conical chisels)
– Mesh smoothing enhancements
– Completely revamped object removal tool (for removing those unsightly polygon artifacts). Now faster and with filtering options.
– Added transforms to base objects (plane, cylinder, sphere, metaballs)
– Tool to apply walls along world-space boundaries where there is solid material.
– Manual position control of regions and geometric modifiers.
– Enhanced 3D spike modifier
– Transformations (rotation+translation) added to the following modifiers: helix, rings, wave, ripple, river/canyon, spikes, gravity well, cube, cylinder, torus, radial fingers, cone,.
– Comprehensive help file

Web: http://www.voxelogic.com

See the new features here:
http://www.voxelogic.com/index.php?…w=article&id=28
Check out the updated galleries here:
http://www.voxelogic.com/index.php?option=com_expose&Itemid=13

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Global Portfolio Opportunity

As you may, or may not know, Modus Ingenium ran a trial of our services in November, 2009, using our networks, in all represented visual disciplines.
We were looking for feedback, and we received a lot of useful information to work with, thank you very much.

The feedback led us to change a few things and update the infrastructure with those changes in order to better service the artistic talent community.

As a thank you, we decided to open up all disciplines for free entries during the month of May, 2010.

Read the full press release:
http://modusingenium.blogspot.com/20…-may-2010.html

Our advisory board:
http://www.modusingenium.com/advisory_board.html

We would love feedback about it!
It’s for artists, by artists.

Thank you

MI

Acropora RC 1 available

Acropora (1.0.0012 RC1) Release candidate is now available for download.

Acropora incorporates some of the latest advances in voxel modeling technology. Features include:

– A widevariety of base shapes and compound shapes as primary surfaces
– User-defined surfaces
– Voxelisation of user imported models
– Over 50+ volume modifiers
– Automatic generation of up to 15 octaves of three-dimensional noise (volumetric, Perlin and fractal)
– Extensive voxel and noise editing tools
– Extensive post-processing of meshes (tesselation, smoothing, simplification,…)
– Batch processing
– Multiple LOD support
– Export to multiple mesh formats, DDS volume textures, and raw voxel data

Additions and improvements:
– General undo function
– Improved GUI design (new Tools pane)
– Lofts & grooves (for generating spline-controlled volumes)
– Extrude & bore
– Fall-off for regions
– Added flat-bottom filter
– Added taper modifier
– Carving pen (with cube, sphere and conical chisels)
– Mesh smoothing enhancements
– Completely revamped object removal tool (for removing those unsightly polygon artifacts). Now faster and with filtering options.
– Added transforms to base objects (plane, cylinder, sphere, metaballs)
– Tool to apply walls along world-space boundaries where there is solid material.
– Manual position control of regions and geometric modifiers.
– Enhanced 3D spike modifier
– Transformations (rotation+translation) added to the following modifiers: helix, rings, wave, ripple, river/canyon, spikes, gravity well, cube, cylinder, torus, radial fingers, cone,.
– Comprehensive help file

Web: http://www.voxelogic.com

See the new features here:
http://www.voxelogic.com/index.php?…w=article&id=28
Check out the updated galleries here:
http://www.voxelogic.com/index.php?o…pose&Itemid=13

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