Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/26447
Blackmagic Updates DaVinci Resolve Blackmagic Design has updated the DaVinci Resolve high-end color-grad- ing system on Mac OS X and Linux to Version 7.1, now adding DaVinci’s clus- tered multi-GPU processing power to Mac OS X systems when used with a PCI Express expansion chassis. With the new DaVinci Resolve 7.1 update, Mac OS X users can take advan- tage of an improvement in processing power by installing multiple high-perfor- mance GPUs. This “supercomputer” processing power, previously only avail- able on Linux systems, eliminates the single-GPU limit for a single computer and lets customers increase processing power by adding additional GPUs as needed. Also supported in the 7.1 update is the ATI 5770 graphics card for the user interface and the Cubix x16 PCI Express expansion chassis for use with multiple GPUs. Support for the expansion chassis gives users the fl exibility to install addition- al storage, video-capture cards, multiple Nvidia Quadro 4000 GPU processing cards, and Red Rocket cards. PRODUCT: COLOR GRADING Morpheme Gets a Booster Shot Game technology and development company Natural- Motion rolled out Morpheme 3.0, a new version of its animation middleware for creating high-quality, believ- able characters that greatly streamlines the process of authoring rich character animations while adding full support for Microsoft’s Kinect and Sony’s Move controller technologies. Designed to give developers and animators creative control, Morpheme 3.0 saves time and resources with improved real-time, graphical authoring and previewing of in-game animation. In this version are new Active State Transitions and Self Transitions, speeding the task of creat- ing responsive characters. Enhancements to the preview facility allow for easy prototyping and testing of interaction between multiple characters, while the asset management system effi ciently organizes animation clips and speeds the building of physical characters. Programmers can easily customize Morpheme 3.0 with the new Node Wizard while gaining insight into run-time execution via all-new deep debugging visualization within Connect. In addition, substantial reductions in run-time memory usage make it easy to work with the large asset libraries of AAA games. With Morpheme 3.0, users can also optionally add full support for Kinect and Move. Specifi c Kinect nodes fi lter and retarget data directly onto game character rigs, or allow players to control characters indirectly with gestures. 6 PRODUCT: MIDDLEWARE January/February 2011 Lightmap Shines with Update Lighting design can be one of the most time-consuming parts of the visualization process, particularly for those profession- als seeking photorealistic results that are particularly well suited for design, advertising, and marketing imagery. To this end, Lightmap, maker of HDR Light Studio, is hoping to alleviate the workload associated with these related tasks by offering its HDR Light Studio 2.0. The newest version of Lightmap’s fl agship product for interactive image-based lighting, HDR Light Studio 2.0 provides CG artists with an interactive tool for designing image-based lighting environments for their 3D models, and an accelerated way to light a 3D scene with photoreal results. HDR Light Studio 1.5—previously launched in October— enables users to create their own HDRI maps, which are designed separately from the 3D model. The recently released Version 2.0, however, takes a new approach to lighting by providing real-time feedback on 3D models, whereby refl ec- tions and lights work in harmony to produce realistic rendered results. Updates in HDR Light Studio 2.0 include: a real-time lighting preview, support for .OBJ and .MI fi les, the use of photographic HDR environments, faster render times for fi nal high-resolution HDRI output, larger and brighter lights, and more. HDR Light Studio 2.0 is available now in two versions. The Standard Edition, which features the new LiveLight preview renderer, sells for approximately $650. The Pro Edition, which includes Live Light and HDRI background support, is priced at approximately $950. PRODUCT: LIGHTING The new offering contains upgraded support for Tangent Wave control surfac- es and support for the JL Cooper Eclipse CX control surface, as well as new stereoscopic 3D color-grading controls. New fi le formats and codes are support- ed, as well. DaVinci Resolve 7.1 is free of charge for all existing DaVinci Resolve 7 users and can be downloaded at www.black magic- design.com/support/software. Also, new users can purchase the product starting at $995 from Blackmagic resellers.