We have some exciting news from Autodesk today. They have just unveiled the 2011 versions of its Digital Entertainment Creation software with the promise of increased production efficiency, especially in terms of  interaction, workflow, interface design and interoperability. The release dates are yet to be announced, but from what we’ve seen the new versions promise great value and some avant-garde technology developed with the likes of Sony Pictures Imageworks.

These new products will all be available as part of the Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suites which will give artists a significant cost saving.

Maya is now available for the Mac OS X 64-bit operating system, and has an improved user interface and character animation and has new 3D editorial features, as you can see  in the video I have posted here. As for 3ds Max 2011, we are told that it will be easier and quicker to produce higher-quality images thanks to the introduction of new techniques for creating and texturing models and animating characters.

Finally, changes to Softimage mean that artists can now create more complex and higher-quality characters and effects much faster. For game developers, there will be new versions of Autodesk Kynapse and Autodesk HumanIK to get stuck into.

Sneak previews will be available online at Autodesk’s website in the community area of their virtual Autodesk GDC booth or by viewing the Autodesk® MasterClass online. Presentations and MasterClasses will be available for on-demand streaming after the event.

Check out the full set of features here:  http://bit.ly/annw5o.

Step Sixteen – Left Arm:

Again, if you have any questions or thoughts, leave a comment or send me a Tweet (@escape_studios)

Step Fifteen – Feet:

Again, if you have any questions or thoughts, leave a comment or send me a Tweet (@escape_studios)

As well as the guys from Framestore, we had presentations from Al Mooney of Adobe, Lawrence Windley and Deepraj Sandhar from Avid, The Foundry’s Simon Robinson, Stuart Pitcher of Fugitive, Gary Meyer at Iridas, and our very own Dan Young.

It was a fascinating session, scratching the surface on all things stereoscopic and how apps like NUKE are finding ways to address the issues faced. Many questions were fired out including the ‘big debate’ of shooting in parallel versus convergence.

The highlight for many, though, was Framestore’s case study of Avatar. Tim Keene, Executive Producer – VFX and Christian Kaestner, Compositioning Supervisor, took us through working both on and off-set on this century’s biggest film, breaking down key scenes and showing how many of the elements were put together. As you can see from the images of Christian below, there were some incredible shots.

From our feedback, it’s clear we need to dive in deeper into the whole stereoscopy debate  as it’s obvious this is one piece of next gen tech that’s not going to go away in a hurry!

Many thanks to all our presenters, sponsors HP, and also to everyone who attended.

Zynga, the company behind the game, is just one of the developers changing the way people view gaming, as the social aspect becomes an even bigger part of the industry. What’s most exciting are the new opportunities social gaming presents for smaller or up-and-coming developers – although we might consider the games to be pretty basic, they can actually go a long way to allowing less experienced developers hone their technical and creative skills.

It also attracts a wider audience of gamers and makes gaming more accessible to a different demographic: surely a good thing. In fact, the average social gamer is supposedly a 43 year old female. Quite a different audience to the stereotype of gamers as young men and teenage boys as this Times article also shows.

It’s quite an extraordinary phenomenon. As Facebook and other social networks continue to grow in popularity this type of gaming is only going to continue expanding. Let us know if you’ve been hooked on any social games lately.

Step Fourteen – Body:

Again, if you have any questions or thoughts, leave a comment or send me a Tweet (@escape_studios)

Here’s Jeff’s previous step in case you missed it: http://www.escapestudios.com/blog/top-down-animation-work-in-progress-step-13/

Want to know what it’s like to work in a thriving, dynamic industry?  Escape Studios is offering a taster into the world of computer graphics with its new three-day short courses that highlight the exciting career opportunities on offer to students and provide valuable insight into the industry.

Escape Studios is offering four new taster courses: Introduction to 3D using Maya (the leading 3D imaging software), Introduction to Computer Animation, Introduction to Visual Effects and Introduction to Games, which all contain abbreviated content from Escape Studio’s full-time courses. Over three days, students will learn the basics of 3D effects creation and gain a better understanding of what’s involved in visual effects,  character animation and games art with guidance from world-class tutors. The courses are aimed at giving people a chance to get a feel for what a computer graphics job is like and understand what discipline they might want to pursue in the industry.

All four short courses cost £399, which is refunded should the student decide to sign up to an Escape Studio classroom course. Full courses are typically 12 weeks long and have been designed to cover all the basics and provide someone new to the industry with the required skills to begin their career. Escape Studios offer a range of courses including visual effects, animation, games and more. For more information please contact the training team.

How do we use it?

1. Select your model’s lowest subdivision level.
2. Click UV Master’s Unwrap button.
3. Actually, there is no step 3. You’re done!

How do we get it?

Go to the download centre

UV Master is available free-of-charge for all registered ZBrush users. The one time purchase that just keeps giving!

Happy ZBrushing!

Mark

This week we’re looking at one of our most recent VFX graduates, Claire Harrison.  Having recently finished her 12 week course at Escape Studios, her showreel demonstrates a variety of Visual Effects (VFX) skills and is a good example of what a junior showreel should contain.  Claire is now looking to take her first steps in to the world of post production; potential employers, please form an orderly queue!

For those who didn’t know, Escape Studios offers a recruitment service and we’re not just here to help escapees who’ve finished a course with us.  We represent all sorts of candidates,  from junior to senior artists, so if  you’re looking for a job in the CG industry – get in touch, you could just find yourself featured here.

Thanks to funding support from Skillset, Birds Eye View is offering a range of 3D and VFX training, including a 3D Graphics and VFX course specifically for women, which will be delivered by us here at Escape Studios. The training takes place on Sat 6^th & Sun 7^th March and is designed to give a practical, introduction from anyone wanting an insight into 3D for visual effects and post-production.

This hands-on session will take you through the basic creation of 3D models, the process of camera tracking these into live-action footage and the skills required in lighting and texturing, in order to achieve photo realistic results – it’s a great opportunity for any woman looking to boost their skills, confidence and experience in film.

If you’re interested, download an application column on the right hand column of this web page. All you have to do is submit your application and CV to the following address  office@birds-eye-view.co.uk and Birds Eye View will let you know if you’ve been successful.

We look forward to seeing some of you there in a couple of weeks.

Birds Eye View Film Festival runs from 4-12 March at the ICA and the BFI. See at full 2010 programme at: www.birds-eye-view.co.uk/2010/festival