http://www.stereoscopy.com/news Tue, 13 May 2008 07:44:59 GMT The latest news from Stereoscopy.com - The World of 3D-Imaging!. en-us Copyright Stereoscopy.com - The World of 3D-Imaging! Coranto using the Feed Builder Addon http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/3drss.jpghttp://www.stereoscopy.com/news14431 Tue, 13 May 2008 07:44:58 GMT http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/index.html#newsitemEkEpyyuyAlFnrSQaUT http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/index.html#newsitemEkEpyyuyAlFnrSQaUT
Quantel's stereoscopic Pablo sits inside Stereoscope's 3D digital mastering theater and is designed to be the center of the studio's entire DI workflow. The system provides a powerful, integrated environment for assembly, editing, conforming, effects, titling, color grading and spatialization of digital stereoscopic images.

It can simultaneously play out and process two streams of synchronous high-resolution media, with no rendering necessary. This capability lets creative artists adjust stereo3D material in real time, allowing interactive experimentation in order to achieve the correct stereo depth.

In the summer of 2007, both Cummins and Pierce started thinking seriously about 3D. A few months later Stereoscope was conceived by company co-founder Jeff Pierce. Both have extensive backgrounds in post-production. They realized that 3D was becoming the next big thing in feature film production and exhibition, leading to a growing need for stereo3D post-production.

"We saw a marketplace in which there were many DP's knowledgeable about 3D, emerging 3D camera rigs, but no real focus on post," says Cummins. "There are already about 800 3D digital cinema theaters now," he continues. "Disney's Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert, which was exhibited only in 3D, turned out to be a blockbuster. It demonstrated the incredible potential of the format."

Stereoscope picked the Quantel tools based on years of combined experience working with post-production systems. "Jeff has extensive background in developing technologies and workflows for digital film and TV production," says Cummins. "He helped pioneer digital film scanning, recording, digital intermediates technologies and techniques for major companies."

Cummins' background also pointed him in the direction of Quantel. "Last year I was consulting for a studio on a 3D feature," he explains. "They wanted to do some of the work in-house and we examined different technologies that could project stereoscopically in real time from a single box, and we discovered that Quantel was making that happen."

"There are other boxes out there," Cummins continues, "but with those you ingest in one system, conform in another, and composite in yet another. The workflow is more difficult. The reason we went with Quantel is that it allows us to do all the functions in real time on one box. It simplifies everything and lets us be major players in this space. "

Although Stereoscope is starting out by offering stereo3D mastering and post, it plans to add services as it expands, including production, staging, 7.1 audio mastering, graphics and digital distribution. The facility has built a 30x40x15 feet three-sided stage as well as a 7.1 mix room centered on a Solid State Logic digital board, with Pro Tools. Also available is a Sony HDCAM SR deck "allowing the acquisition and output of RGB 4:4:4 images "as well as an Avid Nitris for editorial work.

"Our ultimate aim is to provide resources so someone can come in, shoot 3D images, capture those images into Pablo, and then do all the necessary previsualization and post-production, " Cummins says.

While a worldwide stereo3D standard has yet to be adopted, Stereoscope "with the Quantel stereo3D-enabled Pablo 4K as its hub "is ready to apply its artistry and knowledge to all projects, irrespective of standards. "We're in the production and post-production business. We're display-agnostic," says Cummins. "Whatever standard comes about, we're going to be part of it. And with the Quantel Pablo at the center, we can master for everything, from IMAX all the way to video for handheld mobile devices."

There's a sense of excitement at Stereoscope about upcoming projects. "We're developing a new vernacular," says Cummins. "We can now master for the 3D space and apply spatialization treatments suited to each screen size. It's a great time to be in this business."]]> Mon, 12 May 2008 04:45:40 GMT http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/index.html#newsitemEkEpVyZVupRirmdhZm http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/index.html#newsitemEkEpVyZVupRirmdhZm
Many of the world's foremost special effects systems are "node-based". Silhouette has always been node-based as well but the nodes have been hidden. In v3, Silhouette's node basis is brought out to the user with roto and paint being just two of the available nodes.

The keyer node quickly and simply creates mattes with minimal parameters even if you are dealing with fine hair detail, smoke, or reflections. It is easy to use, yet provides the needed tools when faced with good, bad, or ugly shots - tools such as DV/HD de-artifacting, multiple matte creation, color suppression and sophisticated matte manipulation.

The Effects node allows you to apply the many brush types available in the Paint node as filter effects to shapes or layers. The ability to apply the brushes as filter effects was previously available in Paint, but has been separated out into a separate node laying the basis for future additions.

Another major enhancement to Silhouette is its new planar tracker. A markerless image tracking system, planar tracking uses thousands of points within the areas defined by user created shapes. You can select either single or multiple layers as well as multiple shapes within layers for planar tracking. Each layer will have a different tracking result based on the shapes contained within that layer and is transformed automatically during the tracking process. Other additions to Silhouette's tracking capabilities include the import of Shake® tracker files and many new options for exporting or converting tracker information.

Silhouette's paint system (which formerly had been an option but is now standard) has been greatly enhanced. Of its stereo integration, Aidan Fraser of Laika had this to say: "I just finished one of the most difficult rig paint-out shots I've ever seen. It simply wouldn't have been possible without the stereo tools in Silhouette 3." Silhouette paint now allows four simultaneous clone sources backed by an unlimited number of clips and sources can be flipped, flopped, and automatically match moved against any layer.

v3 adds support for X-Splines, an extremely flexible yet easy-to-use shape type. On export to systems that are not X-Spline capable, the shapes are automatically and faithfully converted into Bezier splines.]]> Mon, 12 May 2008 04:30:08 GMT http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/index.html#newsitemEkEpVyyyplmESrrHmn http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/index.html#newsitemEkEpVyyyplmESrrHmn http://www.thefoundry.co.uk) has announced the development of Ocula, a unique collection of plug-ins providing a powerful armoury of tools that solve common problems with 3D stereoscopic imagery, boost productivity in post production, and ultimately help to deliver a more rewarding 3D-stereo viewing experience.

The new plug-ins, previewed at NAB 2008, are designed to take the headache out of 3D stereo post production by automatically replicating key processes on left and right channels, and to remove headaches from the final viewing experience by providing tools that help artists to polish and refine 3D-stereo material.

The Ocula tools are based on brand new disparity-mapping algorithms, created by The Foundry's Academy Award-winning R&D team. Disparity maps track and correlate the differences in positional space and movement between corresponding pixels in the left and right cameras, and then deliver pixel-level control over images. Knowing where disparities occur, Ocula tools apply corrections by warping, stretching and squeezing only those areas of an image that require treatment. Image manipulation using disparity maps is different to the X, Y or Z-axis shifting of images, where only whole image planes are being shifted.

Ocula plug-ins allow artists to apply a multitude of adjustments to stereo image pairs. All corrections can be made to the left and right eye channels either together or separately, and the results of these corrections ultimately help to minimise or eliminate discomfort from the 3D viewing experience.

Users can correct horizontal alignment issues with Ocula's Interocular Distance Shifter. Using disparity map data, a new "virtual view" is created between the original left and right eye positions, with the result being that objects of different fore, mid and background depths are resolved more accurately for the viewer. This is different to an X-axis shift where only the image plane is moved.

Ocula's Vertical Aligner will automatically attempt to vertically align corresponding image features in each view, to minimize or eliminate the effect known as key-stoning . This is not a single Y-shift for the whole image " with disparity mapping the correction varies across the entire image.

A key feature of Ocula plug-ins is the dramatic reduction in the amount of manual labour required when artists undertake rotoscoping work, paint effects or other operations dependent on image locality. Many position-dependent image manipulations can now be applied to just one eye with paint strokes, keyframed roto masks, and the like being automatically generated for the other eye, substantially improving productivity.

"Our new Ocula tools are designed to make the post production of 3D-steroscopic imagery easier and much more efficient than before, "said Dr Bill Collis, CEO, The Foundry. "Along with boosting productivity, and enabling precise manipulation of 3D stereoscopic imagery, Ocula plug-ins will ultimately help artists to refine footage to new levels. This means fewer headaches in post, and fewer headaches at the cinema. "

Nuke 5 is currently the only visual effects compositing system with an embedded 3D stereoscopic workflow, where left and right eye channels can be manipulated separately or together. Ocula plug-ins will be available for the next point release of Nuke, version 5.1, expected to be July 2008.

Nuke is available on Linux, Windows, and Mac platforms, and Nuke delivers unparalleled speed, an efficient multi-channel scanline rendering engine, and powerful feature set unrivalled in the desktop market. Nuke 5 is available for existing customers with valid maintenance at no extra cost, and can be downloaded now from The Foundry website.

The Foundry is a world-leading innovator of visual effects and image processing technologies that boost productivity in motion picture and video post production. On February 10th 2007, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded a Sci-Tech Award® to The Foundry's development team for the Furnace image processing suite. The company now holds a trio of Academy Award® winning products including the high-end compositing system Nuke, and keying application Keylight.

The Foundry's products support a wide range of host platforms including After Effects, Autodesk® Media and Entertainment Systems, Avid DS, Baselight, Film Master, Fusion, Nuke, Scratch and Shake. The company has also driven OpenFX, an open standard for visual effects plug-ins, now broadly adopted by host and plug-in developers such as Autodesk®, Assimilate, FilmLight, Digital Vision, eyeon Software Inc, Grass Valley, Soluciones Graficas por Ordenador (S.G.O.), Photron and others. Customers include: Digital Domain, The Moving Picture Company, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Warner Bros and Weta Digital Ltd.]]> Mon, 12 May 2008 04:23:50 GMT http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/index.html#newsitemEkEpVyykFpgHcsvuNW http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/index.html#newsitemEkEpVyykFpgHcsvuNW
"While our first generation visualization laboratory was set up as a working space for individuals or small groups, the new theater is designed to provide unique capability for both researchers and developers of rich graphics imagery to share data and images," said Erick Engquist, Manager of the Visualization Laboratory. "In addition to the traditional fields that utilize computer visualization, such as medical imaging, molecular dynamics and geophysical sciences, the theater will enable faculty and students in our schools of architecture and fine arts to share their work in new and exciting ways."

Located in the TLC2 facility on the University of Houston campus, the new theater provides state-of-the-art large-scale immersive visualization capability based on Mechdyne's Beacon stereographic projection technology. The PowerWall 4K-S system includes two theater-quality Sony SXRD digital projectors each with a resolution of 4096 x 2160. Mechdyne's patented Beacon technology electronically shutters the two projectors to generate distinct left and right eye viewpoints, which are perceived as active stereoscopic images on an impressive 9 x 18.5 ft screen. Beacon is the only technology that can create high quality active stereo with these ultra-high resolution projectors. To make the imagery even more realistic, a real-time motion tracking system enables users to move freely in front of the screen and interact with the virtual images as if they were real objects. The display is driven by a 4-node PC cluster.

Mechdyne hosted the first in a series of open house demonstrations at the Visualization Laboratory on April 30 and May 1.

Founded in 1999, the TLC2 is the University of Houston's hub for advanced computing resources, providing computing and communications infrastructure for campus and community collaboration. TLC2 also is the lead organization for the Research and Education Network of Houston (RENoH), a fiber optic network supporting collaboration between the University of Houston, Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine and the Texas Medical Center.]]> Mon, 12 May 2008 04:08:21 GMT http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/index.html#newsitemEkEpVyVFpEDKoarmtH http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/index.html#newsitemEkEpVyVFpEDKoarmtH
Said Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer, MDA: "The development of a world class 3D festival in Singapore highlighting the creative talent and technology in 3D film underlines Singapore's commitment to play an active role to expand the boundaries of 3D. 3DX will provide a world stage and convergence point for filmmakers and technology companies to showcase their works for audiences and consumers. It will also provide industry players the opportunity to generate discussions on the latest trends and developments."

In highlighting what will be an international selection of films and properties for 3DX, the first two films chosen for the festival are the FLY ME TO THE MOON, an animated family film from Belgium's nWave Pictures, featuring characters voiced by Buzz Aldrin, Kelly Ripa, Nicollette Sheridan, Tim Curry and Ed Begley Jr., and JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, a live action adventure from New Line Cinema and Walden Media, starring Brendan Frasier, Josh Hutcherson and Anita Briem.

The current list of 3DX organizations and media sponsors includes the Motion Picture Association (MPA), NBC Universal TV Asia, Star TV India and Star Movies.

Other Singapore Government agencies backing 3DX are the Singapore Economic Development Board and Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore.

"We are honored that Singapore is the host destination for the first-ever 3DX World 3D Film Festival and Entertainment Technology Forum. The event will augment our position as a thought leader in the media, design and content development cluster, as we continue to work with partners such as Media Development Authority to establish related business events that can bring synergistic value to this key economic cluster in Singapore and the thriving global media industry. Hosting shows such as the 3DX World 3D Film Festival and Entertainment Technology Forum will elevate our status as an exchange capital and help cement Singapore's standing as one of the pioneers in embracing and supporting 3D technology and film production in the world," said Mr Aloysius Arlando, Assistant Chief Executive, Business Travel and MICE Group, Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau, a group of the Singapore Tourism Board.
Highlights of the 3DX festival will include screenings of 3D films submitted by participating media organizations and partners, forums featuring guest speakers, directors, 3D pioneers, visionaries and catalysts, red carpet reception and event gala celebration along with special entertainment based events for the public.

More information on 3DX can be found on http://www.3dxfestival.com ]]> Fri, 02 May 2008 14:39:19 GMT http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/index.html#newsitemEkpAZFAEVAnfRcDvCF http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/index.html#newsitemEkpAZFAEVAnfRcDvCF
Leading 3D technology and experience provider RealD will provide stereoscopic projection equipment and viewing glasses for audience members, enabling speakers to screen illustrative clips.

DreamWorks Animation, Dolby Laboratories, Quantel, Real D, Sony Pictures Imageworks and 3ality Digital Systems will present at the session.

The session topic is timely, given viewer attendance at 3D versions of recent films such as Beowulf and Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds. Both generated record-breaking per-screen averages from 3D locations, delivering eight times the box office revenues of theaters showing the films in standard format. Moreover, conversion to digital cinema technology continues to escalate rapidly, according to U.K.-based Dodona Research. The cinema-focused consulting and research firm estimates that by 2013, half of all cinema screens worldwide will have converted to digital technology from traditional 35mm projectors, whereas about 5 percent of the global total had made the conversion as of late 2007. And, Dodona emphasizes, 3D will serve as the driver for this explosive growth.

According to the 3D in Cinema session co-chairs, Brian Berkeley and Brian Schowengerdt, "Today's 3D experience isn't, as they say, your grandparents' 3D movie. Some people still associate 3D with the gimmick-filled horror films that first emerged in the 1950s, but the technology today is both more impressive and more subtle. To truly appreciate it, you have to not only see it but understand how it works, as well."

To help Display Week attendees gain this in-depth understanding, SID created the 3D in Cinema session, inviting speakers who are working at the cutting edge of contemporary 3D movie-making to explain how the characteristics of 3D display technologies shape every aspect of the movie creation process. Topics and speakers for the session will include:

• It's Not Real Life: Stereoscopic Content Creation - Phil McNally, DreamWorks Animation
  
• Adapting "3D" CG Films for "3D" Presentation: The Technique and Technology - Rob Engle, Sony Pictures Imageworks
  
• Stereoscopic Live Action: Content Capture and Post Production - Steve Schklair, 3ality Digital Systems
  
• Post Production for Stereoscopic Movies - Norman Rouse, Quantel
  
• Making 3D An Integral Part of Today's Cinema Experience: A Pragmatic Approach - Jeff McNall, Dolby Laboratories
  
• 3D Exhibition in the Digital Age: Bringing a New Dimension to Entertainment - Rod Archer, RealD

Throughout the presentations, session attendees will be treated to clips of such 3D features as Beowulf, Chicken Little, Meet the Robinsons, Monster House, The Polar Express and U2 3D. These and other 3D pictures have each played a part in helping digital cinema continue to move to the next level. The 3D in Cinema special session will kick off with a luncheon keynote address by Andy Hendrickson, VP of technology for Walt Disney Animation Studios, who will delve into the evolution of display technology and the various display-related challenges and opportunities specific to the entertainment industry.

Jeremy Devine, vice president of marketing for Dallas-based Rave Motion Pictures, the United States' largest digital-only movie exhibition company, noted that revenues for 3D features can be up to three times those generated by a 2D film. "If you didn't have the killer app of 3D cinema, digital would be limited to running other alternative content, like operas, rock concerts, some sporting events, and some animated and anime products coming down the pike. The reality is that the return on those has simply not been as dramatic as 3D, so it probably would have slowed our adoption process," said Devine.

The technology has implications beyond the movie theater, as well. Gamers have embraced stereoscopic 3D in rapidly growing numbers, as evidenced by the popularity of stereoscopic 3D certification and advocacy group Meant to be Seen (MTBS) - its year-old website has more than 3,000 registered members and 10,000 unique visitors a month. Other markets poised to make the shift to 3D digital within the next few years include home entertainment and professional displays.

The 3D in Cinema special session will be held in the L.A. Convention Center on Wednesday, May 21, from 2:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., with a question-and-answer period to follow. The cost to attend is included in the fee for the Symposium technical program, which features additional sessions on 3D display technologies and applications ("3D Applications and Measurement Techniques" from 3:40 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20; "Novel 3D Displays" and "Stereoscopic Displays" from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the morning of the Special Session; and "3D Integral Imaging and Autostereoscopic Displays" from 10:40 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 22). For those not attending the full Symposium, the session registration cost is $100. More information, including synopses of each talk, is available at http://www.sid.org/conf/sid2008/program/3d.html ]]> Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:28:36 GMT http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/index.html#newsitemEkpAuVZZEyxRolibsb http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/index.html#newsitemEkpAuVZZEyxRolibsb
GINA D'S KIDS CLUB, INC. who holds a license in perpetuity for all of the "GINA D®" properties, rights and assets of 44 half-hour television broadcast programs and award winning DVD titles, 350 published songs and the newly completed 90 minute made for television movie called "GINA D'S PRE-SCHOOL MUSICAL-THE MOVIE & DVD NARRATED BY CASEY KASEM" (all of which have been fully paid for at a cost of approximately $12 million) plans to go public to raise approximately $15 million through a registered offering.

The funds will be used to produce the fully animated G-Rated "GINA D & THE TRANSISTOR SISTERS-IN SEARCH OF THE GOLDEN RECORD" and "GINA D'S HAPPINESS-LAND ADVENTURE" in stereoscopic 3D.]]> Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:18:02 GMT http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/index.html#newsitemEkpAuVZplkalQleDfo http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/index.html#newsitemEkpAuVZplkalQleDfo
Mr. Young Gil Lim, CEO of BSK & Tech Inc., stated, "Through this subsidiary, BSK expects to enter a new business field of 3D image projection with the production and sales of stereoscopic 3D imaging camera chips and modules. BSK will change its business focus on the rapid growing industry with new technology."]]> Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:49:52 GMT http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/index.html#newsitemEkpApFZZAkOCFAkkdz http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/index.html#newsitemEkpApFZZAkOCFAkkdz http://www.newegg.com or via the tp//www.iZ3D.com website.

"Both dads and graduates will find our large widescreen 3D monitor to be a portal to 3D movie viewing and for off the shelf 3D gaming, making it ideal for the dorm room or home. The popularity of our monitors has allowed us to drop the price and is a turning point in the growing trend towards immersive 3D viewing. Now more consumers can afford to spoil themselves with the thrill of the 3D experience," remarked Thomas Striegler, CEO of iZ3D, LLC.

iZ3D monitors incorporate advances in technology that create significant competitive and technical advantages over other display systems. iZ3D developed this unique technology to create an adjustable stereoscopic 3D environment without causing eyestrain, spatial disorientation, or headaches. In 3D mode, viewers can see clear, bright, sharp 3D images and videos simply by wearing any of a variety of passive polarized glasses. Also, its smart capabilities allow it to be changed at the push of a button from the breath-taking 3D experience to the more mundane 2D viewing for regular office tasks or surfing the web.

The iZ3D 22" monitor offers the first S-3D drivers to be compatible with popular dual output cards, including the NVIDIA GeForce 8 Series and the ATI FireGL™ V3600 workstation graphics accelerator. These drivers also are optimized to take advantage of Intel's® latest Core™ 2 Duo and Intel® Core™ 2 Quad processor technologies. (iZ3D also features drivers that support Microsoft® DirectX® 8 and 9 graphics in both Windows® XP and Microsoft® Windows Vista™.)

The unit is easily powered by existing PCs equipped with a dual-output video card. Specifications include: 1680 x 1050 resolution; up to 170-degree 3D viewing angle; 5ms response time; 700:1 contrast ratio; and 16.7-million colors.]]> Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:46:15 GMT http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/index.html#newsitemEkpApFZVZVTHdZxRdc http://www.stereoscopy.com/news/index.html#newsitemEkpApFZVZVTHdZxRdc Raven Moon Entertainment, Inc. announced that its licensee GINA D’S KIDS CLUB, INC., who is the General Partner of Gina D and the Transistor Sisters, the Movie, LLLP, has signed Casey & Jean Kasem to play the roles of "DINO," a hip DJ and "POSIE," one of the TRANSISTOR SISTERS for its G-Rated feature film called "Gina D & The Transistor Sisters – In Search of the Golden Record®" that will be produced in stereoscopic 3D.
In a recently Associated Press story published on March 11, 2008 by Ryan Nakashima, "Hollywood took a big step towards offering more movies in 3D, announcing deals to convert as many as 10,000 more theater screens for the digital technology needed to accommodate the resurgent, eye-popping format.

Access Integrated Technologies Inc. (AIXD) said it had reached agreements with four studios - Disney, News Corp. (NWS)'s 20th Century Fox, Viacom Inc. (VIAB)'s Paramount, and Universal Pictures, which is owned by General Electric Co. (GE)'s NBC Universal - to finance and equip the screens in the U.S. and Canada during the next three years. The announcement came during the kickoff of ShoWest, a conference in Las Vegas where studios unveil clips and other details about upcoming movie lineups.

"The industry is changing and we are prepared for that change," stated Joey DiFrancesco CEO of GINA D’S KIDS CLUB, INC. This stereoscopic 3D process can generate additional revenues above and beyond traditional sales revenues from traditional formats. With a new 20% gross license agreement with GINA D’S KIDS CLUB, INC. in place for RAVEN MOON ENTERTAINMENT, INC., it is anticipated that except for SEC required audit and related filing fees, there will be no expenses for Raven Moon Entertainment in 2008. With a smaller number of outstanding common shares in the float, anticipated revenues and no expenses, the company’s share price could turn around and bring value to our public shareholders this year."]]>