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SIGGRAPH LIVE COVERAGE
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August
14: The STUDIO
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Margarita
Benitez, L.A.-
Here is our first overview of SIGGRAPH 2001- 28th International
Conference on Computer Graphics. I apologize for the delay in
updating this for you; I have been suffering from information
overload the past couple of days. During the week, the world's
most prominent figures in computer graphics and interactive
techniques will be presenting their research and works to 40
000 attendees from over 75 countries. Here you will be able
to view brief overviews on some of the conference's programs
and activities. As much as I would love to cover everything
for you it is humanly impossible to do so.
In saying that I will go on to the first SIGGRAPH overview,
which will be on one of my personal favorite spaces, The STUDIO.
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To
the left a shot taken from
the entrance at SIGGRAPH 2001.
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The
STUDIO is a workplace where people can create 2D & 3D art
from scratch or with the help of various scanners and then output
these pieces with various methods.
It is filled with MACs PCs and SGIs, which are nicely configured
and have the latest in software packages installed. You can either
manipulate existing work with the help of multiple input devices,
for example these huge WACOM tablets, or create work from scratch
either through various modeling agents like Maya, Rhino, Lightwave
and 3DMAX. In addition you can bring in objects (of a reasonable
size) to be scanned in by a laser scanner or you can have your
portrait scanned by the portrait scanner. Afterwards, the data
can be manipulated either in the STUDIO or later in your studio.
The scans or you work can be burned on CD for you if you opt for
it. |
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To
the left a shot taken from
the entrance at the STUDIO.
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Once
you are satisfied with your creative result you can output your
work multiple ways:
For one you can Rapid Prototype your model, meaning that the
Lab will (under certain restrictions) print a 3D model of your
work. For a modeler or animator nothing is cooler than having
a plastic model of your character to take home, don't you think?
The other alternatives are all 2D, but may be even more exciting.
You have the option to print your b/w or color images on various
large format printers (up to 72 inches, yes almost 6 ft wide
and pretty much "infinite" in length) in combination
with several media (canvas, specialty papers). I have been fortunate
enough to print a b/w piece at both SIGGRAPH 1999 & SIGGRAPH
2000 and must say that it is an opportunity that should not
be taken for granted. The pieces come out beautiful especially
when printed on canvas. Unfortunately, people had been abusing
the large format printing in the past and it is now required
to have a proof approved in order to print your piece.
Further you can print in two other styles: Piezography and Lenticular.
New to the STUDIO this year, Piezography is a software and ink
combination yielding to amazing b/w results.
Lenticular images are specially constructed pieces that "move"
or simulate depth by presenting "interlaced" pictures
through plastic screens made of many "lenticules"
or lenses.
Either way if you prefer 2D or 3D the STUDIO is an excellent
opportunity to explore technologies you would otherwise have
a hard time getting your hands on.
If you are here in L.A., come check it out and if you bump into
me, let me know what you think.
Margarita
Benitez,
Media Rep for the Fort Lauderdale ACM SIGGRAPH Professional
Chapter
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