The Foundry has released the new version of its node-based compositor, Nuke, which includes many features and updates for artists working across multiple industries. The product was launched at a live streaming digital event hosted in London’s West End.
Thinkbox Software has released XMesh MY, a geometry caching plug-in for Autodesk Maya. Designed to streamline animation and visual effects production pipelines, XMesh is a set of tools for saving animated scene geometry in a condensed format that yields smaller files for faster loading, manipulation and sharing across facilities and applications. Also compatible with Autodesk 3ds Max, the robust and scalable multi-threaded solution allows artists to quickly open, share or receive computer generated assets from internal studio departments or external facilities.
Marvel’s Iron Man 3 thrilled audiences with astonishing visuals, many of which were created by superimposing computer graphic imagery on to live-action stunt footage. Challenged by the precise matching those visual elements required, the Iron Man 3 effects team relied on six Canon EOS C300 Cinema cameras as “witness cameras” for accurate close-up tracking of stunt actors’ movements. The footage captured using Canon EOS C300 cameras was then used by visual effects facilities as a reference to convincingly overlay photorealistic CGI of Iron Man armor and other imagery on to main-camera footage.
Amazing in Motion is a set of projects by Lexus that explore the complexity of motion. The second installation of the brand series, Swarm is a spirited story featuring custom-designed small aircraft known as quadrotors that roam through various locations in Vancouver, Canada at night.
Filmworkers helped Chicago agency DDB recapture the thrills experienced by visitors to Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair in a new ad campaign for The Field Museum.
Framestore used 16 Vicon T40 cameras on the pre-visualisation for space scenes in Gravity. Framestore integrated the cameras with Blade – Vicon’s data capture and data processing system – to help create complex and extremely realistic visual effects. They will also use the cameras for pre-vis on the upcoming film Jupiter Ascending.
Blur Studio, co-founded by Tim Miller, created the three-minute prologue sequence that sets the stage for the highly anticipated sequel Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World.
Justin and the Knights of Valour tells the story of a young boy who becomes a man as he embarks on a quest to become a knight. Directed and written by Kandor Graphics' chief creative officer, Manuel Sicilia, the animated adventure fantasy film boasts a famous cast of European voices including Freddie Highmore, Charles Dance, Rupert Everett, Barry Humphries, David Walliams, Julie Walters and Saoirse Ronan. Antonio Banderas, who is a Kandor Graphics partner, is also the voice of character Sir Clorex, as well as producer of the film along with Marcelino Almansa, Kerry Fulton and Ralph Kamp.
As motion picture, television and commercial production continues to transition to ever-higher resolution digital video, Canon has introduced the DP-V3010 4K Reference Display.
Alexis Nelson, co-founder and executive producer of Hoax Films will participate in a panel discussion entitled Creating CG and VFX in Commercials as part of The World Animation and VFX Summit on November 5th at the California Yacht Club in Marina del Rey, California.
