News Stories

Leica Microsystems to Incorporate Intelligent Digital Visualization Components into Surgical Products from TrueVision

9.30.2011

[Press Release]

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TrueVision® is a real-time, stereoscopic, 3D high-definition visualization system for micro¬surgery. It will be integrated into Leica Microsystems’ surgical microscopes to display the surgical field of view on 3D flat panel dis¬plays in the operating room. TrueVision® com¬bines 3D visualization with guidance software applications focused on improving accuracy, efficiency, and outcomes for both surgeons and patients. It also enables surgeons to record surgery in 3D and to stream live video of the surgical field, making it an unparalleled teaching tool.

Leica Microsystems is presenting the TrueVision® line of products at the annual Congress of Neurological Surgeons in Wash¬ington DC, October 1-6, 2011, Booth# 548. It is the debut of a collaboration which is expected to bring integrated 3D visualization and guidance for microsurgery into the main stream as a standard of care.

“We are very pleased to have Leica Microsystems as a worldwide partner,” says Forrest Fleming, CEO of TrueVision 3D Surgical, “As a world leader in surgical microscopes, Leica adds significant distribution and technology resources to our current sales efforts globally, and accelerates commercialization of the TrueVision brand in 3D computer-aided surgery.”

“TrueVision products are a great add-on to our product portfolio,” says Silvio Bracone, Vice President of the Medical Division of Leica Microsystems, “we are very excited to cooperate and drive superior technology in the OR com¬bining our almost 40 years of know-how in surgical microscopy with TrueVision’s 3D technology.” The com¬prehensive worldwide agreement will have a phased approach for specific product developments over a three year term. Specific details of the agreement are not disclosed.

Read the original post here: http://www.azooptics.com/News.aspx?newsID=14447

Uganda: Film Industry Offers Numerous Job Chances

9.30.2011

[All Africa]

In this second article, we continue to look at highly paying opportunities that are conducted behind the scenes but without which; a bankable production cannot be made.

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3D animation combines science and art, and careers in the field are around the film and gaming industries.

Education options range from certificate to master’s degree programmes, providing training in the modelling and rendering of animated characters and environments. To understand this, you can refer to cartoon films or the much prized blockbuster, Avatar. Avatar is all about 3D animation but it cost a whopping $300m to produce. You can guess what the creative minds took home.

Landing a job in 3D animation depends on demonstrable quality of work more often than a requisite degree or certificate.

A good demo reel is key to being hired. The more prestigious a job or employer is, however, the more likely that applicants will need to have completed some form of postsecondary education.

Professional 3D animators often pursue careers in gaming and film, but opportunities are available in other industries as well. Job titles include Concept Artist, Animator, Character Animator, Storyboard Artist, Special Effects Animator, Visual Effects Artist and Game Designer. …

Read the full story here: http://allafrica.com/stories/201109300208.html

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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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