News Stories

Bendy screens, 3D Web and Windows 8: We see the future of computing

11.23.2010

Excerpt: 3D Web

3D laptops and desktops are already here — but the only people spec’ing up to use them are hard-core gamers and toddlers watching Up for the umpteenth time. The real driver to push multiple dimensions into the mainstream will be 3D operating systems and the 3D Web.

Apple has already filed a patent for a ‘multidimensional desktop’ (we’re guessing it’s not referring to an ability to travel through time, although that would be nice) and rumours are flying of a possible 3D desktop and navigation in Windows 8.

The kickstarter for 3D websites is likely to be X3D, a 3D graphics standard that’s trying to muscle its way into the HTML5 party. X3D is an open source effort that’s already part of the MPEG-4 specification and is compatible with next-generation scalable vector graphic systems. Software teams are already working on a massive 3D model of the Earth, ways to animate people in 3D and developing new types of user interface so you don’t try to push your mouse, like, into the screen, man.

Likely release date: First X3D websites — 2011. 3D OS — 2012. Mass adoption of 3D Web — 2013.

Read the full story at: http://crave.cnet.co.uk/laptops/bendy-screens-3d-web-and-windows-8-we-see-the-future-of-computing-50001545/

New Television Series, Anomaly, Explores the Paranormal in 3D

11.23.2010

Anomaly will premiere in early 2011 on Next3DTV, an Internet-based 3D video-on-demand service

Majestic 7 Media Partners, Ltd. announced today Anomaly, the world’s first 3D television program to focus on the paranormal and unexplained.

Anomaly uses never-before-seen 3D night vision cameras and new production techniques to immerse viewers in the world’s most unusual and frightening locations. The show’s 1-hour docu-reality format is fast-paced and entertaining.

Anomaly isn’t your average “things-that-go-bump” paranormal show, however. The show’s host and lead investigator, Jack Kassewitz, brings the same scientific determination that he has demonstrated in his seminal research in human-dolphin communication. “The same technological advances that are helping crack the communication barrier between humans and dolphins will allow us to take a real, balanced and scientific look at the paranormal,” said Jack Kassewitz. Jack and his team will continuously innovate and apply new research tools and protocols to filter out explainable phenomena and capture evidence of quantifiably genuine paranormal occurrences.

According to a Gallup survey, three out of four Americans profess at least one paranormal belief. “Anomaly is state-of-the-art entertainment that appeals to an astoundingly wide demographic,” according to the show’s creators, Majestic 7 Media Partners.

Anomaly will premiere in early 2011 on Next3DTV, an Internet-based 3D video-on-demand service, with broader distribution to follow. The first season will focus on the most reportedly haunted locations in the world. “You’ve gotta fish where the fish are,” said Jack Kassewitz. “We’re going to capture as much evidence of the paranormal as we possibly can – and we’re bringing our viewers along for the ride.”

A sneak preview of Anomaly (3D and 2D) is available now at http://www.anomaly3d.tv.

About Majestic 7 Media Partners, Ltd.

Majestic 7 is developing episodic and documentary properties for the emerging 3D television market. Properties currently under development capitalize on 3D television’s ability to immerse viewers in intriguing and uncommon environments and situations.

source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-television-series-anomaly-explores-the-paranormal-in-3d-110110629.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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