I announce this Blog Open!
Well it’s been a busy summer. From a ‘Visual Technology’aspect the
Olympics were staggering. I’m still amazed at how smoothly and accurate the
athletes were filmed, not to mention the funky stereoHD cameras being used
(it’s not often you see the cameras themselves on the screen).
As technologies have been continuing to advance and promise cool new
applications, the global economic situation seems to be taking its toll upon
the Interactive Media Industry with many companies closing their doors for
good… Let’s just remember that as one door closes, another further ado I announce this blog ‘open’ and offer you a few ‘virtual’ headlines that caught my eye one opens.
So let me start this blog taking a look at and reflecting upon where we
are today. By understanding past events and watching trends we’re more likely
to be prepared for those ahead. So with no recently.
Enjoy.
REALTIME GRAPHICS
Realtime Global Illumination - 25th Aug
Lighting is cool – everyone knows that. Take something ordinary and light it up
to make it sparkle! The same goes for CG – Even a basic model can become
beautiful when it’s lit/rendered well, but the more accurate lighting systems
used the longer render time takes. Global Illumination bounces light around a
scene to produce High Quality renders – but you’ve usually got to wait a day or
so before you can see the results… Or do we? Check out this new method for GI.
Unreal 3 on a Tablet - Aug 29th
Computers keep getting smaller and more powerful
and the same goes for Games Engines… Here’s Unity 3 running on a Tablet! It wasn’t
long ago that you needed a High End PC to run this and tablet were good for
propping upon the freezer door on hot summers day. ;-)
The key thing here is that this tablet is simply based Upon Nvidia’s Tegra 3,
bringing high end 3d graphics ‘general’ hand held PC’s - ‘should make for some
interesting new games when matched with a Tablets free roaming ability…
HARDWARE 'SUPER-SIZED'
4k TV for sale - Aug 31st
How are you doing with that brand new HD TV? Prices are dropping every day, but
wait a minute, just as displays have changed from Cathode Ray to LCD/LED/OLED
and we’ve grown accustomed to larger/thinner displays there’s a new kid on the
block. Whilst there’s been talk of resolutions to supersede HD for years,
Sony’s first 4K [4x full 1080p HD) TV has gone on sale. Of course, you might
need a new home 1st to get the 84” monster through the door…
[curiously rumours are flying about the PS4 supporting 4k too… let’s remember
how the PS3 was an early adopter of ‘regular HD’]
8K TV approved 24th Aug
Did you rush out and bye Sony’s new 4K TV? You probably wouldn’t like to hear
that the 8K standard was approved by the UN only a week before…
ECONOMIC REALITY
Psygnosis Studio Closed - 22nd Aug
‘Times are hard’ – No more proof is needed than Sony shutting down
‘Psygnosis’[Developers of the playstation classic ‘Wipeout’]. Being one of the
UK’s oldest video game studios it just goes to show that you’re only as good as
your last game…
Autodesk Lays off 7% of Entire Staff - 23rd Aug
Following on the heels of Psygnosis being closed Autodesk [The largest creator
of 3d creation software in ‘the universe’] also announce Laying off 7% of its
entire staff. What influence will this have upon our tools and their
development I wonder?
‘Fuel VFX’ into Administrationon avengers/promethius – Aug 28th
After completing FX work on hits such as
Prometheus, Mission Impossible and The Avengers, Fuel VFX have closed their
doors… 100 talented staff from the Film Industry follow those Games Developers
above.
WHEN GOLIATH'S CLASH
Apple Vs Samsung - 25th Aug
So is the unending legal battle over? Who copied who? Who got caught? Who
Cares? Well obviously Samsung is a little concerned, now that a US court order
it to pay Apple $1bn… (ouch!)
Samsung Vs Apple – 31st Aug
Hubba Hubba Hubba – Who do you believe. After the US ruling in favour of Apple,
a Japanese Judge has ruled in favour of Samsung. Hmmm… Law is a funny thing.
;-)
Google Vs Apple – 10th Sep
Ah, I remember the old days when it used to be Intel Vs AMD, or AliasWavefront
Vs Discreet… Hmm, Whenever you look back there are always Big Companies
battling it out, but what happens to the tech behind the battles. How will the
winners shape our futures… One of the New Battles will be for Virtual Maps. We
often forget how powerful and precious maps have been and now with integrated
3d Models with Augmented reality we’re really seeing the Industry Goliaths
fighting to plant thier Virtual Flags!
CUTTING EDGE GRAPHICS
Knitting time - May 12th
Although a little time ago this tech’ to render
knitted garments caught my eye. On the face of it a ‘knitted pattern’ simulator
may not seem that exciting, but think of all the woollen materials in our world
and how flat life would be without them. Anyway, ignoring that - it’s some
great tech’ imo.
Realistic Hair – Aug 23rd
To complement the
Knitting post, ‘Ornatrix’ have released new videos showing their Hair
simulation software in action. Creating ‘organic’motion (hair/wool/fur/etc) has
always been a struggle for the CG artist – it’s great to see these barriers
being knocked down so that imaginations can finally be realised on screen!
That's it for now... Keep checking back for shorter
but more regular posts. :-)
