Computer Graphics World

48 and texture maps to their 3D objects, set a few animation parameters, and hit "render" to create a crisp, film-quality animation. Visual composition tools enable users to see 3D animation paths, control camera positions, and move objects and cameras independently. Multiple cameras, pans and zooms, and fast previews round out the new tool. HyperMove accepts models from a wide range of common 3D CAD modelers, such as SolidWorks, Google SketchUp, (McNeel) Rhinoceros, and (PTC) Pro/Engineer, and exports to vari- ous industry-standard movie formats. Bunkspeed; www.bunkspeed.com RENDERING SU Podium for the Mac Cadalog has introduced a Macintosh version of SU Podium 1.5, the company's photorealistic rendering plug-in for Google SketchUp. The Mac version, which is nearly identical to the Windows version in features and performance, aids users in creating photorealistic images of Sketch- Up models. Podium 1.5 for the Mac runs on Mac OS X on Intel and PowerPC computers. Existing owners of a Podium Windows license can convert to the Mac version for free. Cadalog also offers a free evaluation version of Podium 1.5 Mac. Cadalog; www.suplugins.com FACIAL ANIMATION Pixel-level Detail Image Metrics is delivering its facial anima- tion technology to visual effects and film studios with the release of a new perfor- mance transfer solution. Image Metrics' solution uses neither markers nor makeup, but captures performances on video and analyzes it with proprietary performance analysis technology. The performance data is then mapped onto a CG model with Image Metrics' performance transfer tool. In addition to speeding the process and capturing even minute details, the solu- tion provides increased creative control by bringing the final step of the process in-house. Image Metrics' performance capture solutions automate the facial animation process, applying the actor's performance to the computer-generated character. The new offering can be inte- grated with popular 3D animation appli- cations, such as Autodesk's Maya and 3ds Max. Image Metrics; www.image-metrics.com IMAGE CAPTURE Digitizing Dome Aguru Images, maker of image-capture devices, has upgraded its Aguru Dome 3D capture solution for visual effects, game development, and motion-capture facilities. The Dome is a spherical imaging device that combines XYZ-RGB's high-resolu- tion scanning and Aguru Images' texture and color capture technologies to create true-to-life, computer-generated digital doubles. The Dome produces faces with millions of polygons, capturing the reflec- tance and translucence data of the skin for each polygon. The Aguru Dome 2 employs light stage technology, as well as high-end color and material property measurement in the digital capture of real-world materi- als, props, and humans in 3D. The Aguru Dome 2 automatically acquires detailed information from a scanned person or object, including diffuse, specular, RGB diffuse normal, and specular normal maps for increased accuracy. Aguru Images; www.aguruimages.com XYZ-RGB; www.xyzrgb.com Portable 3D Scanning Creaform has debuted VIUscan, a self- positioning handheld, portable 3D color scanner. The VIUscan color laser scanner offers simultaneous texture and geometry acquisition, adjustable uniform texture reso- lution, real-time rendering, true color acqui- sition using a built-in lighting system, and accurate texture mapping. The VIUscan is targeted at the gaming, multimedia, and entertainment industries, and for e-market- ing and Web development applications. It is well suited to face and body still scans for realistic human representation, special effects, or face replacement, as well as digitizing inanimate objects. Creaform; www.creaform3d.com December 2008, Volume 31, Number 12: COMPUTER GRAPHICS WORLD (USPS 665-250) (ISSN-0271-4159) is published monthly (12 issues) by COP Communica- tions, Inc. Corporate offices: 620 West Elk Avenue, Glendale, CA 91204, Tel: 818-291-1100; FAX: 818-291-1190; Web Address: info@copprints.com. Periodicals postage paid at Glendale, CA, 91205 & additional mailing offices. COMPUTER GRAPHICS WORLD is distributed worldwide. Annual subscription prices are $72, USA; $98, Canada & Mexico; $150 International airfreight. To order subscriptions, call 847-559-7310. © 2008 CGW by COP Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without permission. Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use, or the internal or personal use of specific clients, is granted by Computer Graphics World, ISSN-0271-4159, provided that the appropriate fee is paid directly to Copyright Clearance Center Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923 USA 508-750-8400. Prior to photocopying items for educational classroom use, please contact Copyright Clearance Center Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923 USA 508-750-8400. For further information check Copyright Clearance Center Inc. online at: www.copyright.com. The COMPUTER GRAPHICS WORLD fee code for users of the Transactional Reporting Services is 0271-4159/96 $1.00 + .35. POSTMASTER: Send change of address form to Computer Graphics World, P.O. Box 3296, Northbrook, IL 60065-3296. MAC HARDWARE December 2008 WIN WIN

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