News Stories

European 3D Stereo Summit (Update)

11.30.2010

The European 3D Stereo Summit for Science, Technology, and Digital Art

Dec. 8-10, 2010

Liege, Belgium

Themes and topics

You will find below the seven general themes of the conference, each including a description and a list of topics. This gives you a vision of what the conference is about. Many of the topics shown should each give rise to a presentation, a session, and/or a panel in the final program.

The first three themes are common to most applications. The next three themes correspond to three domains we have identified, each regrouping application areas that are logically connected: (1) cinema and broadcast, (2) industry, engineering, design, science, medicine, defense, and R&D, (3)  communication, education, and entertainment. The last theme looks at future, advanced technologies.

Fundamentals of 3D stereo (3DS) and near-true 3D

Technology of 3D stereo: (1) Hardware

Technology of 3D stereo: (2) Software and algorithms

Applications of 3D stereo to cinema and broadcast

Applications of 3D stereo to industry, engineering, design, science, medicine, defense, and R&D

Applications of 3D stereo to communication, education, and entertainment

The 20/20 vision for the future of “true” 3D

more info here: http://www.3dmedia2010.com/en

Comcast Yule Log Goes 3D

11.29.2010

PHILADELPHIA: Comcast is cablecasting its traditional “Yule Log” in 3D this year. The multichannel video provider runs The Yule Log channel every year during the Christmas season. Developed in 1966 by WPIX-TV chief Fred Thrower, the Log is simply a 24/7 video loop of a burning fireplace. Comcast said it had more than 4 million views on-demand during last year’s holiday season.

“This year, customers can watch The Yule Log in standard-definition, high-definition and in next-generation 3D, or pick from a dozen other holiday-themed screen savers to get into the holiday spirit On Demand,” Comcast said.

Comcast blogger Rose Farrales notes there is also a new Yule Dog singing Christmas carols and a radar screen for tracking Santa.

source: http://www.televisionbroadcast.com/article/109892

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Specification for Naming VFX Image Sequences Released

ETC’s VFX Working Group has published a specification for best practices naming image sequences such as plates and comps. File naming is an essential tool for organizing the multitude of frames that are inputs and outputs from the VFX process. Prior to the publication of this specification, each organization had its own naming scheme, requiring custom processes for each partner, which often resulted in confusion and miscommunication.

The new ETC@USC specification focuses primarily on sequences of individual images. The initial use case was VFX plates, typically delivered as OpenEXR or DPX files. However, the team soon realized that the same naming conventions can apply to virtually any image sequence. Consequently, the specification was written to handle a wide array of assets and use cases.

To ensure all requirements are represented, the working group included over 2 dozen participants representing studios, VFX houses, tool creators, creatives and others.  The ETC@USC also worked closely with MovieLabs to ensure that the specification could be integrated as part of their 2030 Vision.

A key design criteria for this specification is compatibility with existing practices.  Chair of the VFX working group, Horst Sarubin of Universal Pictures, said: “Our studio is committed to being at the forefront of designing best industry practices to modernize and simplify workflows, and we believe this white paper succeeded in building a new foundation for tools to transfer files in the most efficient manner.”

This specification is compatible with other initiatives such as the Visual Effects Society (VES) Transfer Specifications. “We wanted to make it as seamless as possible for everyone to adopt this specification,” said working group co-chair and ETC@USC’s Erik Weaver. “To ensure all perspectives were represented we created a team of industry experts familiar with the handling of these materials and collaborated with a number of industry groups.”

“Collaboration between MovieLabs and important industry groups like the ETC is critical to implementing the 2030 Vision,” said Craig Seidel, SVP of MovieLabs. “This specification is a key step in defining the foundations for better software-defined workflows. We look forward to continued partnership with the ETC on implementing other critical elements of the 2030 Vision.”

The specification is available online for anyone to use.

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