London based vfx house, MPC (The Moving Picture Co.) has licensed FlowLine, a fluid simulation system developed by Munich-based vfx house Scanline, which simulates and renders photoreal fire and water. MPC and Scanline are working together on integrating FlowLine into MPCs large-scale production pipeline.
MPC has elected to work with Scanline to continue ongoing internal R&D focus on the development of its sophisticated in-house character/creature pipeline.
MPC vfx supervisor, Chas Jarrett, said, We started testing FlowLine and were deeply impressed with the quality of the results we saw. It is also highly beneficial for us to adapt the tool to our specific needs throughout a project, this deep integration with the MPC production pipeline will give us the ability to deliver fluid/fire/smoke work of unprecedented complexity.
FlowLine works within our Maya pipeline to create lifelike fluid simulation, and is highly intuitive to use, added Ciaran Devine, MPC lead td. FlowLines versatile framework provides a powerful solution for all our fluid simulation needs, right within our pipeline. Detail is only simmed where it is needed, resulting in startlingly fast simulation times and economic cache sizes. It will make previously unobtainable effects a matter of course at MPC.
Nick Cannon, MPCs head of technology, added, We at MPC are delighted to be partnering with Scanline in this way. It is truly refreshing to license software from a fellow post-production company because, like us, they really do understand and respect the artists needs. Similarly, Scanline has proved that they [not only can] meet aggressive production deadlines but deliver quality software too a valuable combination.
Stephan Trojansky, Scanlines head of Research & Development, noted, When MPC contacted us about FlowLine, we immediately liked the idea of two effects companies working together to deliver world class visual effects. We are happy to extend MPCs excellent R&D department and effects pipeline with this key technology.
MPC (www.moving-picture.com) is currently working on the following visual effects projects: Danny Boyles SUNSHINE, Wolfgang Petersens POSEIDON, Ron Howards DA VINCI CODE and Brett Ratners X-MEN 3. Other projects currently in production include LITTLEMAN for Keenen Ivory Wayans and AMAZING GRACE for Michael Apted. The team has recently completed effects for Mike Newells HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE, Tim Burtons, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY and CORPSE BRIDE, as well as DreamWorks Pictures/Aardman Animations WALLACE AND GROMIT CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT.
FlowLine is Scanline Prod.s proprietary and production proven Hydro Fluid Simulation and Rendering Software. It is designed to create photorealistic CG water, oceans, fire, smoke, explosions, clouds and other related vfx. With its extensive Framework and Software Developer kit, FlowLine plugs seamlessly into various 3D software packages and allows an easy adaptation to custom production Pipelines. For more information about FlowLine, visit www.flowlines.info.
CA Scanline Production GmbH (www.scanline.de) was founded in 1989 by Ruth Stefanie Stalf and Thomas Zauner. Since that time Scanline has become a leader of visual effects for film and television movies within Germany. Along with sister company Scan&Record35, it offers full film services for digital lab, including scanning, grading and film recording. From the beginning, Scanline has specialized in internal software development to become competitive in the international world of vfx.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
