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A leading professor of orthodontics has announced the development of a process for animating a patients planned orthodontic treatment. The process, called 3-D CIMAS, three-dimensional craniofacial imaging and motion animation system, allows both the patient and clinician to see the exact propsed treatment and outcome before work is ever begun. The brainchild of Dr. Orhan C.

Animation software developer DigiCel, Inc. has released FlipBook SE (Standard Edition), a 2D animation software program. The program give animators the ability to scan or shoot their drawings under a camera, in addition to drawing them on the computer itself using the programs built-in light table feature. As the drawings are captured, they are automatically positioned in a traditional style exposure and can be played back the moment capturing is completed. An editable exposure sheet lets animators experiment with timing changes while the scene is being played.

Midway Games Inc. has announced that as a result of decreasing demand in the coin-operated arcade videogame market, it is getting out of that business. The company is now focusing its game development efforts exclusively on games for next-generation home videogame platforms, including the PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance. The move is expected to mean a layoff of fewer than 60 people, and a primarily non-cash pretax charge of less than $8 million in the quarter ending June 30, 2001.

20th Century Foxs DR. DOLITTLE 2 debuted in the number two spot in this weekends box office. Starring Eddie Murphy, the sequel to the 1998 remake of the 1967 film about a doctor who can "talk with the animals," took in an estimated $26.7 million. Paramount Pictures TOMB RAIDER dropped to #3 after its smash debut last week. The Angelina Jolie action-adventure flick took in an estimated $20.2 million, bringing its two week cumulative to $84.2.

Leading third-party game publisher THQ Inc. has announced their plans to release up to 15 GameCube titles across several genres before the end of 2002. This comes on the heels of their previous announcement to release 16 titles in 2001 for the Game Boy Advance. The initial lineup includes original titles, action-sports, kids' games, and exclusive licensed content. THQ also has several other Nintendo GameCube products in development that will be announced in the coming months.

Western Images has finished work on the animation and effects for Melon-choly, a commercial spot for Quaker Oats Crispy Minis snack food. In the spot, designed to promote healthy snacks, a desperate potato chip attempts to eliminate his competition, but ends up meeting its own demise instead. The rogue chip attempts to push bags of Crispy Minis off a kitchen counter, but isnt strong enough to finish the job. It backs up to enable a running attack, but as it is about to make contact, the bags are moved, and in Wile E.