Events

Apr 30, 2013 Krakatoa for Maya – An Introduction

More : Events · Thinkbox Software ·

Krakatoa for Maya - An Introduction

Krakatoa for Maya – An Introduction
Come learn about the renderer used to create content for movie hits like Avatar, The Avengers, Transformers 3, Harry Potter 8 and Oblivion, as well as the upcoming Star Trek – Into Darkness, Man of Steel, After Earth, and more!

Krakatoa MY seamlessly connects Autodesk Maya with the Krakatoa renderer and provides a number of features designed to accelerate artists’ workflow when manipulating millions of particles. Krakatoa MY shares the same rendering core with Krakatoa SR (Stand-alone Renderer) and Krakatoa MX (3ds Max) which will produce identical results given the same input data and settings.

Register for a session now by clicking a date below:

Tue, May 7, 2013 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM PDT
Wed, May 8, 2013 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM BST

Once registered you will receive an email confirming your registration
with information you need to join the Webinar.

Key features of Krakatoa MY include: 

  • Point or voxel representation of particle data, with various filter modes, motion blur and depth of field camera effects, and HDRI render passes output to OpenEXR files
  • Simultaneous support of both additive and volumetric shading models, with per-particle control over color, emission, absorption, density and more
  • Support for various light scattering algorithms, high-quality self-shadowing and occlusions from both geometry and DTEX maps
  • Dedicated particle loader object supporting Krakatoa .PRT file sequences, RealFlow .BIN file sequences and .CSV file sequences, with the ability to offset, retime, combine and modify already cached particles
  • Dedicated PRT Volume and PRT Fractal objects inside the Maya viewports provide procedural particle creation from polygon mesh volumes and mathematical algorithms
  • Particle partitioning tools for caching multiple versions of the same simulation to combine into high-density particle clouds
  • Particle repopulation for render-time conversion of low-count simulations into high-count particle clouds

 

 Krakatoa for Maya   An Introduction

Mar 12, 2013 First Look at Modo 701

More : Events · Featured · Luxology · The Foundry ·

First Look at Modo 701

MODO 701 is on its way!

MODO 701 is coming soon. Be one of the first to discover what’s new and improved during our ‘MODO 701 Feature Tour’ webcast on March 25th at 10AM (PST).

Space is limited, so register for the webcast today.

What’s new in MODO 701? here’s a sneak peek…

  • New procedural particle engine with an easy to use preset workflow.
  • Audio playback and sound channel modifier – bringing animations to life.
  • Schematic improvements – reducing scene graph complexity.
  • Large scene performance improvements by as much as 175x
  • Preview render synchronization improvements, over 50x faster in large scenes.
  • Dedicated dynamics simulation layer that significantly improves performance.
  • Simplified complexity of materials and layered shaders.
  • New Python interpreter that makes python execution many times faster.
  • Unlimited network rendering.
  • Soon to be released LINUX operating system support.
  • AND LOTS MORE…

Find out more, register for the webcast and check out the first sneak peek video here

Sep 4, 2012 Learn Deep Compositing with NUKE

More : Events · Nuke · The Foundry ·

Learn Deep Compositing with NUKE

Learn About Deep Compositing With Nuke

Deep Compositing allows artists to work with ‘deep images’ containing multiple opacity or colour samples per pixel. This allows rendering of CGI elements without predetermined holdout mattes, avoiding the need for re-renders when content changes.

Join Motion Media, along with Deke from The Foundry, and get a hands on view of what deep compositing is, how it works in Nuke, and how you might be able to use it.

Exploring the Deep Toolset inside Nuke & Beyond

  • Pros/Cons of using deep compositing, why do you need them and when.
  • How to create deep files in Maya/Prman to use in Nuke
  • Compositing, modifying and holdouts utilizing deep
  • Faking other effects with Deep toolset like smoke, light volumetrics and fog
  • OpenEXR 2.0 preview with future Nuke versions

mari class signup Learn Deep Compositing with NUKE

This is not a hands on class, but it is a presentation geared towards learning.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at customers@motionmedia.com

There will be drinks and light snacks provided.

What is Deep Compositing?

Deep compositing allows artists working with CGI material to process and composite ‘deep images’ containing multiple opacity or colour samples per pixel at different depths. As well as enabling new creative possibilities in compositing, such as volumetric effects, the technique leads to higher-quality imagery when integrating and finishing CGI rendered elements. Furthermore, by increasing the amount of useful data available in compositing, the toolset provides greater efficiencies by reducing the amount of rerendering typically required from CGI departments. For example, the generation of holdout mattes for individual CGI objects or characters can then be performed within NUKE itself. Such savings can run into hundreds of hours on large-scale projects that prominently feature CGI assets.

Presented By Deke Kincaid, Creative Specialist

Deke Kincaid is a Creative Specialist at the Foundry. He has worked in feature film and commercial production for 12 years. Originating from the east coast of the US, he lives in Los Angeles California and has worked at a wide variety of visual effects and creative studios including Motion Theory, Weta Digital, Rhythm & Hues, Method, Technicolor and Asylum VFX

mari class signup Learn Deep Compositing with NUKE

Jul 10, 2012 Free Siggraph 2012 Exhibits Pass

More : Events ·

Free Siggraph 2012 Exhibits Pass

Want to go to Siggraph 2012 but don’t want to pay for it?  Well let Motion Media help you out.  We are giving you a free Exhibits only pass for this years event in Los Angeles.  All you have to do is fill in the form below and a link and code will be sent directly to you.

Jun 19, 2012 PipelineFX Offers Free Qube! Artist Workshop

More : Events · Software · ·

PipelineFX Offers Free Qube! Artist Workshop

PipelineFX Offers FREE One-Day “Qube! Artist Workshop”  at Siggraph 2012 

PipelineFX is proud to announce the offering of a NEW training class called the “Qube! Artist Workshop.”

This ONE-DAY workshop is geared towards artists and new users of Qube! …. and the CLASS IS FREE !!!

Upon completion of the class, attendees will be:

  • more familiar with Qube! terminology and features
  • understand the Qube! model
  • understand how to Submit, Manage and Troubleshoot jobs
  • understand how to use Qube! support resources
  • have a basic familiarity with Qube!’s advanced features

The class will be held on Monday, August 6th at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Meeting Room #301A 

The workshop is free for everyone so don’t miss this great training opportunity.  Please contact michelle@pipelinefx.com to confirm your seat today!

The Details:

Qube! Artist Workshop (1-day Course)

PipelineFX also offers a one-day workshop geared toward artists and new users of Qube!. This workshop focuses on submitting, managing and troubleshooting render jobs as well as best practices for maximum render throughput.

Day 1 Session

o Qube! Architecture & Terminology
o Qube! Usage for Artists:
- Submitting, monitoring and controlling jobs
- Smart VS Basic (batch) jobtypes
- Troubleshooting jobs
o Support resources and procedures
o Q & A

August 6, 2012 – Los Angeles, CA USA (SIGGRAPH) – ** THIS CLASS IS FREE **
Class: 1-day Qube! Artist Workshop
Location: Los Angeles Convention Center Meeting Room #301A
1201 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California 90015
Phone: (808) 685-7823
Dates: August 6 (Mon)
Start time: 9:00am
Stop time: 5:00pm
Host contact: Michelle Ray
Email: michelle@pipelinefx.com

May 22, 2012 Win $3,000 from Chaos Group’s “Decisive Moment” Contest

More : Chaos Group · Events · ·

Win $3,000 from Chaos Group's "Decisive Moment" Contest

Chaos Group and CG Society are hosting an Anniversary Challenge to celebrate 10 years of lighting excellence from V-Ray.  The theme is “A Decisive Moment” and anyone can submit and you can win $3,000 cash plus a ton of other stuff.

The decisive moment, it is the simultaneous recognition, in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event as well as the precise organization of forms which gives that event its proper expression.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson

A decisive moment is the split second when everything changes. It could be an instant from history that altered everything on Earth. Or a pivotal point in time that changed you personally. Perhaps a knockout punch in a heavy weight championship. The last block placed on the Pyramids. The first human step on the moon. A gunshot, a wrong step, or a glance, the decisive moment when fate propelled the world to greatness or drove it to the point of destruction.

The Chaos Group and CGSociety invite you to create an image to tell that story. Using any application to model and V-Ray to render, we want you to illustrate a blink-of-an-eye moment that changed the world. A moment that changed the big picture or had an impact on a person’s life. All industries using V-Ray can fit into the Challenge theme and are welcome to participate.

Submit Here

Apr 27, 2012 Architectural 3D Awards – Call for Submissions

More : Events · Inspiration

Architectural 3D Awards - Call for Submissions

CG Architect is presenting their annual Architectural 3D Awards this year and are looking for entries. The winner gets over $50k in prizes and will accept the award in Spain at the Mundos Digitales Conference 2012 in La Coruna. Good Luck!

CGarchitect.com is hosting the 9th annual Architectural 3D Awards. The winners will be awarded at the exclusive awards trophy at Mundos Digitales Conference 2012 in La Coruna, Spain and be given over $50,000 in prizes by our generous competition sponsors. The competition is open to everyone in the Architectural Visualization industry to highlight the best imagery, animations and real-time projects done in 2011/2012.

This year’s awards will be divided into five categories: Image (Commissioned), Image (Non-Commissioned), and Film/Animation (Commissioned), Film/Animation (Non-Commissioned) and Real-Time. From the submitted entries a panel of expert judges will select the top five nominees in each category. The winner of each category will be awarded the exclusive CGarchitect.com 3D AWARDS trophy during the Mundos Digitales Conference

Register Here

Jan 31, 2012 Class: Nuke for After Effects Users in Seattle

More : Events · Nuke · The Foundry · · ·

Class: Nuke for After Effects Users in Seattle

Motion Media & renowned NUKE Trainer Steve Wright head to SEATTLE on Feb. 10th, 2012 to bring you this unique Friday class that will explore and demonstrate the key features of Nuke as compared to After Effects, and equip attending artists with a basic understanding of Nuke’s powerful workflow.

Nuke has become the power driver of visual effects compositing today and is now used in virtually all the major studios around the world. However, there are thousands of digital artists using After Effects for their visual effects shots. While AE is a venerable compositing program with a long line of loyal users, when it comes to complex vfx shots Nuke’s node-based compositing approach is faster and therefore a more cost effective tool for visual effects shots. In this class we will see why it is that Nuke performs highly complex tasks faster and with unmatched feature film quality while addressing the following topics:

  • What is node-based compositing
  • Getting Familiar with the Nuke GUI
  • Why Nuke’s 32 bit color space creates superior quality
  • Color correcting tools that make the shot
  • The power of an integrated 3D compositing environment
  • Working with multichannel EXR images
  • Working with High Dynamic Range images
  • The joy of an integrated stereo workflow
  • What is NukeX: camera tracker and Furnace Core plugins

register now Class: Nuke for After Effects Users in Seattle
more info Class: Nuke for After Effects Users in Seattle

Jan 18, 2012 3 Day Nuke Training with Steve Wright

More : Events · Nuke · The Foundry · Visual Effects ·

3 Day Nuke Training with Steve Wright

3-DAY NUKE CLASS

Motion Media & renowned NUKE Trainer Steve Wright bring you this unique Friday, Saturday and Sunday class that will explore and demonstrate the key features of Nuke and equip attending artists with a basic understanding of Nuke’s powerful workflow. Prerequisites for the class are a solid background in compositing visual effects using programs such as Shake, Combustion, Digital Fusion, Motion, Flame, Toxik or After Effects.

Who Should Take This Class

This class assumes that you already have a basic understanding of the concepts of 2D compositing of visual effects using one of the packages mentioned above and want to learn about Nuke’s powerful capabilities including its 3D compositing workflow!

More and more work is being shifted from the costlier and more time consuming 3D part of the production pipeline into the quicker and more cost-effective compositing end of the pipeline. Nuke provides the perfect conduit for this to happen.

Many large VFX studios are also looking at ways to transition from their in-house legacy software that requires a steep learning curve to a broader market pool of talented VFX professionals and are acquiring Nuke site licenses. The latest examples being ILM, Weta Digital and Intelligent Creatures.

To future-proof your career in visual effects compositing sign up for a Nuke class today!

Click Here for more info.

NukeTraining registerhere 3 Day Nuke Training with Steve Wright

Jan 16, 2012 Webcast: Accelerate Your Post-Production Pipeline with Smoke for Mac

More : Autodesk · Events · Smoke ·

Webcast: Accelerate Your Post-Production Pipeline with Smoke for Mac

Don’t miss this opportunity to see how Autodesk® Smoke® brings editing, color correction and motion graphics together in an all-in-one application. Smoke unifies visual effects and editing on the Mac so you can deliver professional quality results – quickly.

In this webcast, Autodesk Technical Specialist Quinn Richardson shares his real world experience editing promos in this comprehensive overview of Smoke on Mac.

 

webinar register button Webcast: Accelerate Your Post Production Pipeline with Smoke for Mac

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3Dean: Marvelous Designer 2 – Importing an Animated Character from 3ds Max 2013

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Learn to import an animated character from 3ds Max 2013 into Marvelous Designer 2

Read more →

V-Ray 1.6 for Sketchup Beta Now Open

vraysketchup

Chaos Group has announced the open beta for V-Ray 1.6 for Sketchup. This massive upgrade to V-Ray for SketchUp includes a series of new feature introductions that enhance visualization workflow and render quality (V-Ray RT®, V-Ray Dome Light), and streamline scene complexity (V-Ray Proxy).

Read more →

The Foundry Mari 2.0 Masking & Painting Tutorial

mari2tutorialzindagi

Check out this very cool The Foundry Mari tutorial from Jeff Kleinzweig, the lead artist at Zindagi Games.

Read more →

Mocha 3.2 Public Beta Now Open

Mocha Pro and Mocha AE Update

Release News: mocha v3.2 public beta Imagineer Systems is happy to be releasing a public beta version of mocha Pro and mocha AE v3.2. This new point release includes significant features and fixes for all users.

Read more →

Try Modo 701 Free

modo701-trial

The Foundry and Luxology announced a free Modo 701 15 Day trial and a 30 Day production trial that is $25.  I suggest you head over to the Luxology site and get started as soon as you can. Plus, if you haven’t already, take the 701 Feature Tour, now with new videos.

Read more →


News/Press Releases


Maxon & Adobe Announce Cineware & Cinema 4D Lite
Apr 4, 2013 | Comments | Read more →

MAXON, leading developer of professional 3D modeling, painting, animation and rendering solutions, today revealed the first step in its strategic alliance with Adobe Systems Incorporated, aimed at delivering a new level of integration between its powerful 3D application CINEMA 4D, and Adobe® After Effects®. The recently revealed next release of Adobe’s industry-leading software will include two MAXON technologies directly within the new Adobe After Effects: CINEWARE and CINEMA 4D Lite.

An Open Letter to Ang Lee
Feb 25, 2013 | Comments | Read more →

An open letter to Ang Lee from Compositor Phillip Broste regarding the state of the VFX industry and Mr. Lee’s lack of acknowledgement to the artists who created the VFX in “Life of Pi”. I definitely recommend the read.

Thinkbox Announces Krakatoa MY for Maya
Feb 25, 2013 | Comments | Read more →

Thinkbox Software today announced the release of Krakatoa MY, the high-volume particle renderer for Autodesk Maya 3D software running on Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems.

Autodesk & Technicolor Team Up
Feb 22, 2013 | Comments | Read more →

The Hollywood Reporter posted an article about Technicolor and Autodesk partnering in the development of a new color grading and compositing tool. Steve Scott, the pioneering colorist and head of Technicolor, is leading the charge on this new venture and believes that together they can create a single procedural finishing system that would offer tools from both disciplines – color grading and compositing.

iPad Version of “Animators Survival Kit” Coming Soon
Feb 21, 2013 | Comments | Read more →

The famous “Animators Survival Kit” written by Richard Williams is coming soon to the iPad. The price and exact date of release have not yet been determined, but the publisher, Faber and Faber, has indicated that it will be roughly timed with Williams’ 80th birthday next month.

Events


Krakatoa for Maya – An Introduction
Apr 30, 2013 | Comments | Read more →

Krakatoa for Maya – An Introduction – Come learn about the renderer used to create content for movie hits like Avatar, The Avengers, Transformers 3, Harry Potter 8 and Oblivion, as well as the upcoming Star Trek – Into Darkness, Man of Steel, After Earth, and more!

First Look at Modo 701
Mar 12, 2013 | Comments | Read more →

MODO 701 is coming soon. Be one of the first to discover what’s new and improved during our ‘MODO 701 Feature Tour’ webcast on March 25th at 10AM (PST). Sign up today.

Learn Deep Compositing with NUKE
Sep 4, 2012 | Comments | Read more →

Deep Compositing allows artists to work with ‘deep images’ containing multiple opacity or colour samples per pixel. This allows rendering of CGI elements without predetermined holdout mattes, avoiding the need for re-renders when content changes.

Free Siggraph 2012 Exhibits Pass
Jul 10, 2012 | Comments | Read more →

Want to go to Siggraph 2012 but don’t want to pay for it? We’ll let Motion Media help you out. We are giving you a free Exhibits only pass for this years event in Los Angeles. All you have to do is fill in the form below and a link and code will be sent directly to you.

PipelineFX Offers Free Qube! Artist Workshop
Jun 19, 2012 | Comments | Read more →

PipelineFX is offering a one-day workshop geared toward artists and new users of Qube! at Siggraph 2012. This workshop focuses on submitting, managing and troubleshooting render jobs as well as best practices for maximum render throughput.

Updates/Upgrades


Mocha 3.2 Public Beta Now Open
May 10, 2013 | Comments | Read more →

Release News: mocha v3.2 public beta Imagineer Systems is happy to be releasing a public beta version of mocha Pro and mocha AE v3.2. This new point release includes significant features and fixes for all users.

Syntheyes is Now on Linux
Apr 23, 2013 | Comments | Read more →

The SynthEyes 3-D tracking application completes a triple-header with the introduction of its Linux version by developer Andersson Technologies LLC, joining the existing Windows and Mac OS X versions.

Extension 2 for Autodesk Maya 2013 Now Available for Download
Feb 4, 2013 | Comments | Read more →

Extension 2 for Autodesk® Maya® 2013 software is now available on the Autodesk Subscription Center. Extension 2 helps artists and studios with increased stability, usability, and performance.

New ArchiCAD Plugin for Maxwell Render
Jan 31, 2013 | Comments | Read more →

NextLimit has released a fully updated ArchiCAD plugin for Maxwell Render, available for download now from the customer gateway.

Matrox MXO2 Dock Now Shipping
Jan 22, 2013 | Comments | Read more →

Matrox is pleased to announce that Matrox MXO2 Dock is now available. The Matrox MXO2 Dock thunderbolt Accessory for Matrox MXO2 I/O Devices Delivers Convenience and Connectivity for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air Users



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