News Stories

Zebra Imaging Announces 3D Geospatial Challenge

2.17.2012

[Philip Lelyveld comment: these are holographic posteres]

[Press Release]

Zebra Imaging, Inc., the leader in 3D holographic displays and visualization technologies, announced today that it will conduct its first 3D Geospatial Challenge. This 3D Geospatial Challenge is sponsored to encourage participants from the GIS community to use Zebra Imaging’s software tools and print services to portray their GIS data using holographic technology. Zebra’s unique visualization ZScape(TM) product delivers unequaled levels of spatial understanding and communication.

Zebra Imaging has created thousands of 3D maps for the U.S. Department of Defense and has now adapted its 3D capability for Esri ArcGIS® Desktop 10. Users of Esri® ArcScene(TM) 3D Analyst(TM) extension can combine 2D and 3D data to create high resolution, color holographic GIS prints. The 3D holographic print can display detailed topography, cityscapes, and other data-rich GIS applications in industries such as exploration geology, hydrology, archeology, forestry, park services, city governments, public safety and defense.

“Zebra Imaging’s holographic 3D prints provide a powerful and captivating method of conveying 3D geospatial data to diverse groups – ones that may not be familiar with GIS software. With our technology and print services, 3D data can be brought out of the computer and into the hands of decision makers, enabling faster analysis and fuller understanding,” said Steve Arling, Vice President of Business Development for Zebra Imaging. “The 3D Geospatial Challenge is about inspiring new ways and approaches for visualizing GIS projects. It’s about getting the data unplugged from the computer and in front of a broader audience. It’s about facilitating communication,” Arling added.

The 3D Geospatial Challenge kicks off just prior to the Esri Federal GIS conference held February 22-24, in Washington, D.C. As an Esri Business Partner, Zebra Imaging will be exhibiting 3D prints to demonstrate to the GIS community how to leverage the power and technology 3D holographic imaging offers. Zebra Imaging wants to help accelerate the evolution of traditionally 2D GIS data into 3D.

The Challenge

Participants in the Zebra Imaging 3D Geospatial Challenge will compete by framing their 3D data set using Zebra Imaging’s ZScape(TM) Preview or ZScape(TM) Exporter software.

http://store.zebraimaging.com/download.aspx

Each entry will be reviewed by a panel of Zebra Imaging judges for the following:

Creativity

Design efficiency

Technical complexity

Usefulness of application

Zebra Imaging will select three winners from the following industries: Public Safety, Planning, and Defense.

Winners of the challenge will receive a 24″ x 24″ 3D holographic print of their data and an illumination stand. The winning concepts will be displayed at the Zebra Imaging Booth at the Esri International User Conference the week of July 23, 2012 in San Diego, CA.

For more information regarding the challenge:

http://www.zebraimaging.com/challenge

To register for the challenge:

http://www.zebraimaging.com/challenge_register

About Zebra Imaging: Zebra Imaging, Inc. designs, develops and manufactures state-of-the-art 3D holographic displays for a variety of 3D visualization applications in government, military, and commercial markets which dramatically improve situational awareness, collaboration and decision-making. Customers include Federal and Department of Defense agencies, leading architecture and engineering firms, and State and Local government agencies who need to clearly and effortlessly demonstrate sophisticated 3D data in a comprehensive and portable medium.

www.zebraimaging.com

See the original press release here: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/zebra-imaging-announces-3d-geospatial-challenge-2012-02-16

Will superfast broadband meet the needs of our "bandwidth hungry" nation? (UK House of Lords)

2.17.2012

[ComputerWeekly]

…

The House of Lords Select Committee on Communications, chaired by Lord Inglewood, is announcing today an inquiry into the Government’s superfast broadband strategy. The Committee invites interested organisations and individuals to submit written evidence as part of the inquiry.

Written evidence is sought by Tuesday 13 March 2012. Public hearings are expected to be held in March, April, May and June. The Committee aims to report to the House, with recommendations, before the summer recess. The report will receive a response from the Government and may be debated in the House.

 

 

Consumer demand for bandwidth has increased significantly in recent years and is certain to continue to rise with the increased take-up of internet services and their ever increasing applicability. Superfast broadband enables high-bandwidth content to be delivered quickly across the network, enabling users to access a range of services such as telemedicine, improved video conferencing and the streaming of HD or 3D video content. In addition, the development of the UK’s broadband infrastructure will determine what opportunities UK innovators and entrepreneurs have to develop a thriving ecology for the creation and exploitation of new services. The depth of penetration of superfast broadband infrastructure into communities is therefore of strategic importance: it is a key factor in ensuring no community is left behind, and that innovation and competition are stimulated in the provision of local access and in the development of new services.
…
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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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