News Stories

Scripps Alumnus Wins International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge (Visualization, not S3D)

2.5.2012

[Product Design and Development]

… Their winning video, “Rapid Visual Inventory & Comparison of Complex 3D Structures,” illustrates the tool that enables scientists to compare and contrast multiple parameters of complicated structures, like those found in whole-cell tomograms, at a glance. The video shows how the tool can morph beta cells into simplified geometric versions to enable the visual comparison of the organelle volumes of a single cell and how it can compare relationships between four beta cells collected by Noske, Marsh, and colleagues under different physiological conditions.

“Scientists and general audiences alike can learn a great deal about biology by comparing the internal structural differences between cells harvested from different environments, say from different parts of your body or different lifecycle stages,” said Johnson, an alumnus of the Scripps Research Institute’s Kellogg School of Science and Technology and a newly appointed QB3@University of California San Francisco Faculty Fellow. “Morphing the cell from the complicated native model to the simplified version and back gets general audiences excited about the subject matter and reminds even expert audiences of the complex interplay of randomness and specific interaction that enables life to exist.”

Read the full story here: http://www.pddnet.com/news-scripps-alumnus-wins-international-science-engineering-visualization-challenge-020312/

DIGITAL CONTENT, THE CLOUD AND 3D

2.3.2012

[3DTV]

…

But we will argue for the inclusion of 3D.
3D hasn’t been given the boost into the “Cloud” as has been the case with digital content in general. Because there haven’t been downloadable 3D films, at least in any real numbers that I can find, it’s evolving into the “Cloud” having no place in the 3D world. That is not a good thing.
Of course the need for two video streams for 3D requires a double-duty approach, whether as a digital file on hand or a streaming digital file commandeered for a specific length of time before no longer being available. But either way, the lack of 3D in the digital realm for home viewing is causing 3D to lag behind as a viable form of the home theater experience, even more so than the whole “lack of compelling content” argument that continues to be made. While not bogus, anyone with a fair memory of the past can remember that same argument used against DVDs over videotapes. Or HD discs over DVDs. Or HDTVs over tube-models, for that matter. …

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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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