The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Scientific and Technical
Awards Committee has announced nineteen scientific or technical
achievements to be considered for 1999 Academy Awards. The Sci/Tech
committee selected the achievements for their outstanding impact on the
motion picture industry, and although this is just an initial list (the 19
products/developments will undergo vigorous investigation by the committee
before being short-listed for nomination), it is exciting news for many in
the animation and visual effects industry. Achievements on the list
include: Dream Quest Images 'Hookah Hybrid Atmospheric Physics Simulator
and Renderer' (which is used to simulate and render gaseous natural
phenomena such as smoke, clouds, tornadoes and blowing sand); PDI's
'Character Modeling System;' ILM's 'Prerender' and 'Skin Animation System;'
and Alias|Wavefront's 'Interactive Photorealistic Rendering System' (as
seen in Maya).