Autodesk will showcase the latest versions of its 3D product portfolio and compositing applications at SIGGRAPH 2007, in San Diego, from Aug. 5-9 (booth #703). Autodesk will also demonstrate technologies addressing the growing data-complexity of next-generation projects -- one of the biggest challenges facing digital artists today.
On Aug. 6, from 6:30 pm to 9 pm. PDT, Autodesk will hold its User Group meeting at the Marriott San Diego Hotel and Marina. The event will feature keynote presentations by:
* Christine MacKenzie, exec director of marketing for the Chrysler Group, discussing how commitment to an integrated visual pipeline results in high quality visualization, efficient data reuse, and increased savings
* Jason Kaehler, art director at Midway Games, delving into the creation of destructive environments in JOHN WOO PRESENTS STRANGLEHOLD
* Jeff Barnes, ceo of CafeFX, discussing the facility's work on PAN'S LABYRINTH
* Jeff White, digital production supervisor at Industrial Light & Magic
* Jeroen Schulte, senior Inferno artist and head of 2D systems for Condor Digital
* Nick Howe, managing director and Sam O'Hare, senior designer, both at Uniform Communications, presenting on how the firm uses film and visual effects techniques to add production value to architectural visualization
In addition, Autodesk will announce this year's Autodesk Masters -- a title that honors 3ds Max and Maya software artists whose work has significantly contributed to the advancement of computer graphics.
User Group meeting attendees are welcome to enjoy Steel Beach Bash: a SIGGRAPH 2007 party hosted by Autodesk, CafeFX and cebas. The party will be held on Aug. 6, from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am PDT, on the U.S.S. Midway, the longest serving aircraft carrier in the history of the U.S. Navy.
Each day of the exhibition, at the Autodesk booth, attendees can view demonstrations of Autodesk's solutions, including the Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max, Autodesk MotionBuilder and Autodesk Toxik software applications. In addition, show attendees can see daily client presentations, including the following:
* Akira Orikasa, CG supervisor from CafeFX, demonstrating how Maya was used in the creation of PAN'S LABYRINTH
* Charles McIlvain, character pipeline supervisor at Sony Pictures Imageworks, presenting how the facility used Maya to create numerous key shots for SPIDER-MAN 3
* Corey Rosen, creature supervisor at The Orphanage, demonstrating the facility's work with 3ds Max and Maya on GRINDHOUSE and THE HOST
Grayson Chalmers, character lead, and Scott Englert, facial animator at Midway Games, presenting how 3ds Max and Maya were used to shape JOHN WOO PRESENTS STRANGLEHOLD and HOUR OF VICTORY
* Academy award-winner Hal Hickel, animation supervisor at Industrial Light & Magic, showing how Maya was used in the creation of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END
* Jeff White, digital production supervisor from Industrial Light & Magic, demonstrating how Maya was used on TRANSFORMERS
* Jeroen Schulte, senior Inferno artist and head of 2D systems for Condor Digital, illustrating the use of Toxik and Maya for work on MTV and Repsol TV commercials
* Lon Grohs, principal at Neoscape Inc., demonstrating L5, a residential loft project in Las Vegas, Platinum, a residential high-rise building in New York City, and Boca, a two-million-square-foot complex in Florida
* Mikko Martikainen, senior 3D animator at The Mill, presenting the facility's work with Maya for the Audi A5 ad Lines, and the PlayStation 3 commercial, THIS LIVING. Martikainen will also demonstrate The Mill's work with Maya nCloth for the Comfort ad CITY STOP
* Nick Bentley, technical director, and Mike Merron, senior designer at Uniform Communications Ltd., presenting various architectural visualization projects
From Aug. 6-8, more than 25 intermediate- to advanced-level Master Classes will be offered for 3ds Max, Maya and MotionBuilder. For more information on Autodesk's SIGGRAPH Master Classes, and to register, visit www.autodesk.com/minisites/siggraph2007/classes.html.
Numerous projects that will be showcased in this year's SIGGRAPH Electronic Theatre and Animation Theatre were created using Autodesk solutions, including DREAMMAKER, which received Jury Honors. Led by producer Leszek Plichta, students from the Institute of Animation, Visual Effects and Digital Post Production at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg shaped the film almost entirely in Autodesk 3ds Max software.
Autodesk's solutions will be featured at the following partner booths:
* AMD/ATI booth #1102: Autodesk 3ds Max, Autodesk Maya and Autodesk MotionBuilder* BOXX Technologies booth #1436: Autodesk 3ds Max, Autodesk Maya and Autodesk Toxik* HP booth #103: Autodesk Maya* NVIDIA booth # 413/513: Autodesk 3ds Max, Autodesk Maya* Wacom booth # 812: AliasStudio 2008, Showcase 2008 and SketchBook Pro V2
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
