Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/298092
4 ■ CGW M a r ch / A p r i l 2 014 L I G H T s p o t Autodesk Rolls Out Cloud- Based 3D Character Generator Autodesk has expanded its cloud offering with the launch of Character Genera- tor, an easy-to-use, Web-based application for creating customized, rigged, and ready-to-animate 3D characters. Once designed, characters can be exported for a wide range of applications. Character Generator requires five cloud credits per high-resolution character download for customers on Autodesk subscription or rental plans. Students and educators receive free access to the product, and a lighter version of the app for creating low-resolution and crowd characters is accessible for anyone to try at no cost. Formerly dubbed "Project Pinocchio," an Autodesk Labs experiment, Char- acter Generator houses a robust library of pre-built male, female, and creature characters. Using slider and selection functions, users can combine and morph the physical attributes of the pre-built models – from body traits to facial features, skin color, hair styles, clothing, and more – to create unique characters. Users on subscription or rental plans can leverage cloud credits to export their 3D creations to 3D software packages such as Maya for further customization and animation. Stratasys Offers Multi-material, Color 3D Printer Stratasys has rolled out the Objet500 Connex3, the first 3D printer to combine colors with multi-material 3D printing. The printer features a unique triple-jetting technology that combines droplets of three base materials to produce parts with virtually unlimited combinations of rigid, flexible, and transparent color materials as well as color digital materials – all in a single print run. This ability to achieve the char- acteristics of an assembled part without assembly or painting is a significant time-saver. Manufactur- ers can validate designs before committing to manufacturing. Dell has introduced a new mobile workstation category, and with it, the first of- fering in that space: the Dell Precision M2800, a 15-inch mobile workstation that contains ISV-certified and optimized performance at a breakthrough price. Starting at $1,199, the Precision M2800 – available this spring – helps to bridge the gap between business-class laptops and mobile workstations. Offering workstation-class performance in a mobile form factor, the Precision M2800 can be configured with fourth-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, AMD FirePro W4170M graphics with 2 gb of dedicated GDDR5 video memory, up to 16gb of system memory, and up to 1tb of storage to run graphic- and data- intensive workloads in the office or with clients on-site. The machine comes with a 15.6-inch UltraSharp display available in HD or FHD (1920 x 1080), external multi-monitor support, and docking compatibility to simplify the transition from the road to a desk-based workspace. Dell Adds New Category of Mobile Workstation