Computer Graphics World

November/December 2013

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products RealFlow 2013 HP Z620 activity was appropriately fast, thanks to the nice graphics card and fast processors. Applications like Maya ran without a hitch, even with large data sets. Editing apps, such as Premiere Pro, had no problem scrubbing multiple streams of HD content. Of course, we always tend to upgrade our workstations to get more speed and power. The HP Z620 definitely delivered in this regard. The machine had a very fast Cinebench CPU score of 22.05 and an OpenGL score of 72.08 fps. The SiSoft Sandra score was a very respectable 19.2. Overall, the HP Z620 is a nice midrange workstation. It has a good amount of speed and graphics power wrapped up in a very nice package. The case design was ergonomic and easy to service. This would make a terrific machine for anyone doing high-end graphics. ■ CGW George Maestri is a contributing editor for CGW and president/CEO of RubberBug animation studio. He also teaches Maya for Lynda.com. He can be reached at maestri@rubberbug.com. S O F T WA R E Image credit: Alberto Ezzy custom pipelines. Files can be sent to RealFlow from a content-creation package, such as Maya. The scene can then have effects added in RealFlow and sent back to Maya for additional work and/or final rendering. Additionally, RealFlow now supports the Alembic file format created by Sony and ILM, which is quickly becoming a standard interchange for 3D scenes. This release of RealFlow is definitely worth the upgrade. The new interface and node editor make it much easier to use. The additional simulation features add to the already rich feature set. If you do a lot of visual effects and simulation, RealFlow is definitely worth a look. ■ CGW PAINTING MARI + MAC The Foundry has released the 3D digital painting application, Mari, for the Mac. Mari allows artists to paint directly onto 3D models using super-high-resolution textures and millions of polygons. In March 2013, The Foundry launched Mari 2, featuring a new artist-focused layer system that makes Mari easier to use. It also offers a familiar working environment for users of Adobe Photoshop and other layer-based paint tools. Mari for the Mac is introduced with Version 2.5, available now on all platforms. www.thefoundry.co.uk ANIMATION TIME SCULPT The LightWave 3D Group has revealed ChronoSculpt, which introduces sculpting over time, for reviewing and correcting cache animation and dynamic simulation using time-based sculpting tools. Chrono culpt S uses a timeline-based workspace that includes tools to sculpt and manipulate 3D deformations and character cache animation over time. It supports soft- and rigid-body dynamics, and has the ability to sculpt and deform massive polygonal models on the timeline to correct and remove errors in real time. Its interface supports leading file formats for all professional 3D software. ChronoSculpt is priced at $399 and available for purchase at www.chronosculpt.com. www.lightwave.com; www.chronosculpt.com PAINTING ZBRUSHING Pixologic has upgraded ZBrush to 4R6, which features an enriched tool set to increase creativity and productivity. The new ZRemesher provides entirely rebuilt retopology system. There are also new brushes and functions to improve workflow for both organic and hard-surface sculpting. ZBrush 4R6 is a free-of-charge upgrade for all registered users of ZBrush on Windows and Mac systems. ZBrush 4R6 Win and Mac is available from the Pixologic online store, for immediate download at $795 per license. http://pixologic.com/zbrush H A R D WA R E MOBILE WORKSTATION QUADRO POWER MSI Computer has added two new offerings to its line of mobile professional workstations powered by Nvidia Quadro graphics: the GT70 20K and GT60 20J. Both have been certified by Adobe (CS 6), Autodesk, and SolidWorks, and come with Nvidia Quadro K3100M and K2100M graphics processors. Both units possess Nvidia Optimus technology, which enables designers and engineers to perform simultaneous rendering or structural/fluid analysis on the same system. The GT70 and GT60 Workstations feature Intel Core i7 quad-core processors, Killer DoubleShot for Ethernet and wi-fi connectivity, and Cooler Boost 2 Technology to instantly reduce system temperature. They ship with multimedia and gaming features, as well. The GT70 2OK and GT60 2OJ are available for approximately $2,600 and $2,000, respectively.  www.msimobile.com November/December 2013, Volume 36, Issue 7: COMPUTER GRAPHICS WORLD (USPS 665-250) (ISSN-0271-4159) is published bi-monthly with special additional issues in January and July resulting in 8 issues per year by COP Communications, Inc. 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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. 48 ■ CGW Novem ber / Dec em ber 2013

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