NaturalMotion Ltd., a British developer of motion synthesis technology, announced that the National Centre for Computer Animation at Bournemouth University, U.K., will be using multiple licenses of endorphin across its animation and visual effects courses. endorphin, which uses AI and biomechanics techniques for realtime character motions, was chosen due to the advances it makes in computer animation and the possibilities it will offer students upon graduation.

Digital-Tutors announced the worldwide availability of INTRODUCTION TO 3D: ZBRUSH BASICS training kit -- the latest release in a series of industry leading training resources for digital artists.

The Disney Elementary Magnet School dedicated its new state-of-the-art computer facility on Nov. 9, 2004, reports NBC5. All of the school's 1,600 students will have the chance to make animation on the computer. Walt Disney's daughter, Diane Disney Miller, was a major sponsor of the lab, in addition to IBM.

"You know, my dad always said, 'Education should not be boring; it should be entertaining!' And that was kind of the key word to everything he did," she said.

Discreet has launched Discreet Design Academy (DDA), a secondary school program designed by educators and Discreet to bring new visual communications-based learning experiences and skills into the classroom.

Luxology Llc. announced the educational version of modo, its powerful new subdivision surface and polygonal modeling platform. With "Good Student" pricing starting at $99, and $149 for academic institutions, faculty members and other students, Luxology's new pricing structure makes it easy and cost effective to experience one of the fastest and most advanced 3D modeling systems currently available.

The National College of Arts (NCA) has launched six-month courses in animation and video production in collaboration with French art institution Ecole-d’ Art. TV producer Shaukat Zainul Abidin, writer Asghar Nadeem Syed, former Ptv Lahore general manager SM Anwar and UN goodwill ambassador Faryal Gauhar will serve as the faculty members. The college will also get assistance from the Ministry of Information and Technology and Telecom Division to run the courses.

The Savannah College of Art and Design revealed the addition of eight new faculty members, including a new chair of the visual effects department, to the School of Film and Digital Media.

* Shawn Bulloch joins the School of Film and Digital Media as a part-time professor of film and television. Bulloch received a master of fine arts degree in film and television from SCAD and a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Savannah State University.

AnimationStar, a new and affordable PC-based animation workstation that will let students capture human motions and animate computer characters, will make its debut to high school educators at the National School Board's T+ L2 Conference in Denver, Oct. 27-29.

The Art Institute of Vancouver and The Art Institute of California - San Francisco have formed an international partnership and articulation agreement allowing students to complete certificate or diploma programs in Vancouver and continue their studies by earning Bachelor of Science degrees in San Francisco.

Noel Goin, a Media Arts & Animation instructor at The Art institute of California – Orange County, is one of two Americans invited to teach animation workshops to local Caribbean artists, as a part of Animae Caribe 2004, Sept. 29-Oct. 2, 2004, in Trinidad.

Digital-Tutors announced the availability of the much anticipated INTRODUCTION TO 3D: MEL BASICS training kit – the newest release in a library of helpful and award-winning training resources for Maya users. In more than two and a half hours of interactive training methods, INTRODUCTION TO 3D: MEL BASICS offers users the foundation to rapidly develop and enhance workflow with unsurpassed levels of productivity.

The Art Institute of Portland is offering a new Bachelor of Science degree program in Visual & Game Programming to help give students the skills they need to stand out in these growing fields.

Scheduled to launch on Oct. 7, 2004, at the start of fall quarter, the Visual & Game Programming curriculum begins with courses in foundation art and general studies, building in a strong foundation in mathematics and science as well as design courses. After a few quarters, students may focus on one of two tracks: technical directing or toward programming.

Gnomon School of Visual Effects and Pixologic will be hosting the first official Pixologic ZBrush User Group meeting, Sept. 30, 2004, at 6:00 pm at Gnomon (1015 N. Cahuenga Bl. Hollywood, CA 90038).

* Bay Raitt (Creature Facial Lead for Gollum and co-founder of Box Rocket) will discuss the strengths of ZBrush and its use in various production pipelines, i.e. Weta Digital, Valve Software.

Digital-Tutors announced the worldwide availability of the highly anticipated FUNDAMENTALS OF APPLE MOTION training kit - the latest release in a series of helpful training resources for Apple users and the motion graphic design and production industries. In more than 2.5 hours of step-by-step training methods, FUNDAMENTALS OF APPLE MOTION offers users the necessary foundation to rapidly develop and enhance new skills.

The Gnomon Workshop will offer two new Analog DVDs that will be available Sept. 15, 2004, produced in conjunction with Design Studio Press and with a new instructor, Yanick Duseault (Dusso) -- THE TECHNIQUES OF DUSSO, 1: INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL MATTE PAINTING and THE TECHNIQUES OF DUSSO, 2: DIGITAL MATTE PAINTING FUNDAMENTALS. Both DVDs are priced at $69.

With Hurricane Frances bearing down on Florida, scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Space Science and Engineering Center have developed a new satellite animation tool that provides detailed, near realtime movies of the hurricane as it approaches the Florida coast. The animation, available at www.ssec.wisc.edu/~rickk/frances.html, shows the massive storm sweeping across the Bahamas toward Florida. Updated every half-hour, the movie is produced from visible and infrared satellite imagery obtained from the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration's GOES-12 satellite.

Digital-Tutors announced the availability of MAYA DYNAMICS: PARTICLES AND FIELDS training kit, with more than 218 minutes of instruction. Highlights include: creating particle emitters, working with cycle emission, emitting from surfaces, colliding particles with surfaces and driving particle simulations with texture maps.

The CG Academy has releases its latest training DVD series, AFTERBURN MASTERS SET. The three DVD set, created by Allan McKay, includes Afterburn Fundamentals with its exploration of the Afterburn system and includes many examples of how to achieve real world effects. For example, it explores a production level effect of a fireball blasting down the aisle of a passenger jet, and concludes in air strike with a focus on making an effect be as procedural as possible so it can be re-used with ease on new shots, crucial for those on a tight schedule. The set sells for $210.

NVIDIA Corp. and the USC School of Cinema-Television have formed a partnership that will provide students training on cutting-edge 3D graphics technology and the ability to graduate with the necessary skills to compete for highly sought-after positions in filmmaking, vfx and animation production, realtime content creation and other interactive industries.

Twelve young people, ages 8-12 will be able to animate public service announcements (PSAs) of their choosing at CAMP TELETOON in Vancouver, at a 10-day workshop, Aug. 23-Sept. 3, 2004. In a series of hands-on workshops, the youths will develop three broadcast-quality, animated PSAs for broadcast on the TELETOON Network starting in October 2004. This community-based initiative is a partnership program between Vancouver-based Arts Umbrella Scholarship Program, Canadian broadcaster TELETOON and Vancouver’s Studio B Productions.