No doubt you’ve heard about Rockstar’s latest release LA Noire - apparently a completely new type of video game. Up until recently, most games have been all about hand eye co-ordination but in LA Noire, which is set in the late 40s, the main skill is about being able to judge body language and characters’ faces to figure out if they’re lying or not - or ‘emotional perception’ as some are calling it.
Free Tutorial: Effects in V-Ray for Max
For those of you who want to learn V-Ray for Max, you’re in for a real treat this month. We’ve released a tutorial from our new V-Ray course which will be launched over the coming weeks. The tutorial has been taken directly from one of the major case studies within the course and this video is designed to demonstrates the power of V-Ray.
Pixar Release RenderMan Pro Server 16
Our friends at Pixar have announced the release of RenderMan Pro Server 16!
Augmented Reality... Kelly Brooks... Angels Fall...
OK, so hopefully the title got your attention, and we can get past the Kelly Brook distraction - she's currently "fronting" a new marketing campaign from Lynx "Angels will fall" which is all relevant, honest!
Back On The Road
The Escape University Tour starts up again this month after a short break for Easter. Last week, I was in Ipswich to speaking with students at the School of Arts and Humanities at University Campus Suffolk.
Dogboarding. Confused? So Were We.
Something fun for a Friday. I'm sure most of you have seen this by now as it has been shared on lots of social networking sites. For those who haven't, here is a cool short film by the directing duo Daniels - called Dogboarding. It's a quirky, original idea and great fun to watch.
Stunning Imagery in "Inside the Human Body"
Did any of you watch the first episode of a brand new BBC1 series called "Inside the Human Body"? It aired last night for the first time and I watched in total amazement. OK, so most of you who follow my posts will know that I avidly watch any science programs... I know I am a captive audience, but seriously, the visual effects were absolutely beautiful and the program captivating.
Harry Potter and Black Swan Case Studies Detail How mocha Pro Was Used
Just wanted to make you all aware that we have two new case studies available. They describe how mocha Pro was used in both Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Black Swan. The details are interesting and worth the read.
Desktop Engineering Reviews The 3DBOXX 8550 XTREME
I just finished reading through an excellent review about the 3DBOXX 8550 XTREME. If you are looking for a fast workstation, you should read this too.
Looking for a Summer Internship?
Are you looking for something to do this summer? Ever heard of StudioAKA? They are a London based multi-BAFTA winning animation production company, known world-wide for their amazing innovative work. And they may want you for the Summer!
They are looking for a bright spark to work in the field of DB & pipeline development (within June to August).
Fusion NAB Special Promo
It’s time to upgrade your Fusion license to the latest and greatest version—Fusion 6.2!
Autodesk 123D?
Carl Bass - CEO of Autodesk - announced at the Wired Business Conference that they were launching a new product... Wait for it, it's called 123D. OK, so forget about the naming convention... What does it actually do and what does it mean for 3D artists?
Games Escapee Ross Garfoot Secures Job at Playground Games
Another one of our Games Art Production course escapees has just landed a job. This time it is Ross Garfoot who just secured a job at Playground Games - well done Ross!
V-Ray 2.0 for Maya is Now Shipping
V-Ray 2.0 for Maya is now shipping. And, just so you know, it now comes with interactive rendering on GPU and CPU.
Find Out How ILM Used ZBrush in Rango
Most of you will already know that Rango has done well at the box office. It is interesting to look at the details in the film and guess how the creative process might have happened.
The Pixar Podcast
I stumbled across 'The Pixar Podcast' recently, I just thought I would share it with you in case you had not seen it.
Pixologic Release GoZ Update 1 for ZBrush 4
That’s a lot in a title isn’t it? Pixologic just announced its latest release—GoZ Update 1 for ZBrush 4— and there are some really neat new features which are worth a mention.
Alex Williams to Host Special Animation Open Day in London
Our Character Animation Tutor Alex Williams needs little introduction. if you follow the world of Animation, you will have heard of him and his work. He is one of the most talented animators of the decade and has not only written books such as QC Cartoon Series, but also worked on well known titles such as The Lion King, Pocohontas, Looney Tunes: Back in Action, and most notably Who Framed Roger Rabbit. He makes quite an impression on most of the people he meets, and especially the students in his class.
Character Animation Escapee Tracey Chung Secures Job at Ragdoll Productions
If you’ve ever dreamt of becoming an animator, Tracey’s story should help you realise that your dream might be easier to attain than you think.
Employment Opportunities in VFX and 3D Sectors to Rise in India
In recent years we’ve seen massive leaps forward in entertainment technology. 3D TV is all the rage and the release of the Nintendo 3DS has given us our first, glasses-free, 3D console. But what does this advance in entertainment technology mean for the Visual Effects industry? According to the latest statistics, the industry in India is set to grow at 18.5% a year - in short, it’s a great time to be working in VFX and 3D in the Indian subcontinent.