VES Awards: ‘The Lion King’ & ‘The Irishman’ Take Top Film Honors

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  • VES Awards: ‘The Lion King’ & ‘The Irishman’ Take Top Film Honors

    By Erik Pedersen, Antonia Blyth
    January 29, 2020



Summary

VES Awards: ‘The Lion King’ & ‘The Irishman’ Take Top Film Honors

Disney’s The Lion King ruled the 18th annual VES Awards, winning a pack-leading three trophies including the marquee Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature during Wednesday night’s ceremony at the Beverly Hilton.

The Jon Favreau-directed “live action” remake of the toon classic also took the hardware for Outstanding Created Environment in a Photoreal Feature and Virtual Cinematography in a CG Project, setting it up as a front-runner for the Best Visual Effects Academy Award on February 9. More on that below.

Accepting the top prize for The Lion King, visual effects supervisor Robert Legato said: “I do feel a little guilty because the fellow nominees were so great … but I’m pretty sure I’m going to get over it. … About 1,600 of our closest personal friends were involved.”



Netflix’s The Irishman and Laika’s Missing Link were the only other multiple winners on the film side. The time-jumping, de-aging film by Martin Scorsese, who received the VES Lifetime Achievement Award tonight, took Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature and a compositing award. The stop-motion Missing Link won for Visual Effects in an Animated Feature and Animated Character in an Animated Feature.

Also picking up a pair of trophies tonight were Disney+’s rookie series The Mandalorian, HBO’s recently wrapped  Game of Thrones, Netflix’s creepshow Stranger Things 3 and the Ridley Scott-helmed commercial “Hennessy: The Seven Worlds.”

The Star Wars universe was well represented Wednesday night. Along with the dual Mandalorian wins, The Last Skywalker took Effects Simulations in a Photoreal Feature and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance scored Visual Effects in a Special Venue Project.

Back to The Lion King and its Oscar chances. Since the VES Awards launched in 2002, the winner of its top film category has gone on to score the Best Visual Effects Oscar in 10 of the 17 years. (Hugo won the VES in the Feature Motion Picture category in 2011 and later won the Oscar.) But don’t shine up that mantel just yet: The Visual Effects Society and the Movie Academy have differed in each of the past two years, with 2017 VES winner War for the Planet of the Apes losing the Oscar to Blade Runner 2049 in 2017 and Avengers: Infinity War getting Thanos-ed by First Man at last year’s Academy Awards.

The Lion King and The Irishman will vie for the Visual Effects Oscar on February 9 against VES Awards nominees Avengers: Endgame, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and 1917.

Host Patton Oswalt kicked off the ceremony with a few zingers: “Good evening. Disney permalancers!” he said. He later picked a Cats fight, noting: “The Star Wars franchise ended after 50 years, and after one screening, so did the Cats franchise. Isn’t that amazing? Were you guys on strike when they made that one? What was going on there? That movie was a screensaver designed to not give me a boner.”

J.J. Abrams later got a big laugh with this line, after Rian Johnson has presented earlier: “I’m here tonight to present three awards — unless Rian Johnson wants to come back and present the second one.”

Scorsese was unable to attend the ceremony but accepted his Lifetime Achievement Award via video. “I’m really very sorry that I can’t be there in person,” he said. “Thank you for this honor, which is very special to me because my pictures — they’re just not known for their visual effects. … I’m sort of a latecomer. I think I did my first visual effects from a wheelchair.”



The Oscar winner added: “Out of silence came the idea of the de-aging to utilize in the making of The Irishman. We all realized the risk we were taking, and we knew it was the only way we could make the picture we wanted to make.”

Roland Emmerich, who VFX-heavy films include Stargate, Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow, 2012 and last year’s Midway, picked up the VES Visionary Award on Wednesday.

“People ask me a lot, ‘Why do you make all these huge visual effects movies?’ and I have to say the stories that fascinate me most are stories where people face extraordinary obstacles,” he said onstage. “I really enjoy to put a character in crazy possible danger and then watch them overcome these insurmountable obstacles. … Working in this business for 40 years, I know that if you want to get great visual effects, you need a lot of people — sometimes hundreds, sometimes thousands.”

Visual effects supervisor Sheena Duggal, whose dozens of credits range from Jumanji and Contact to Iron Man 3 and Venom, accepted the VES Award for Creative Excellence. “One of the things I love about my job is in this industry we truly succeed if we succeed together,” she said.

To see the list of VES Awards 2020 Winners click here.

Autodesk Leica BLK360 Affordable 3D Laser Scanner

Leica Geosystems and Autodesk Announce BLK360 $16k 3D Laser Scanner

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Leica Geosystems Announces Complete Imaging Solution: Leica BLK360 Imaging Laser Scanner and Autodesk ReCap 360 Pro App

Las Vegas, November 16th, 2016, Leica Geosystems announced the BLK360, a revolutionary miniaturized black 3D imaging laser scanner. The product was revealed at Autodesk University 2016 and will be bundled with Autodesk’s ReCap 360 Pro and the new ReCap 360 Pro app for iPad. Both companies will demonstrate the product for the duration of the conference at the ReCap booth #2033 and the Leica Geosystems booth #1537.

The BLK360 captures the world around you with full-color panoramic images overlaid on a high accuracy point cloud. The one-button Leica BLK360 is not only the smallest and lightest of its kind, but also offers a simple user experience. Anyone who can operate an iPad can now capture the world around them with high resolution 3D panoramic images.

The Leica BLK360 defines a new category: the imaging laser scanner. It is so small and light that it fits in a typical messenger bag and can be carried almost anywhere. It features a 60 meter measurement range for full dome scans. A complete full-dome laser scan, 3D panoramic image capture and transfer to the iPad Pro takes only 3 minutes.

ReCap360 and Leica BLK360 3D Imaging SolutionUsing the ReCap Pro 360 mobile app, the BLK360 streams image and point cloud data to iPad. The app filters and registers scan data in real-time. After capture, ReCap 360 Pro enables for point cloud data transfer to a number of CAD, BIM, VR and AR applications. The integration of BLK360 and Autodesk software will dramatically streamline the reality capture process thereby opening this technology to non-surveying individuals.

“When Autodesk first introduced ReCap, it was for one purpose:  the democratization of reality capture,” said Aaron Morris, who oversees reality solutions at Autodesk. “We saw the tremendous power of this technology for the AEC industry, but realized that the cost and portability of scanners combined with difficult-to-use data was limiting the adoption of reality capture.  Autodesk’s collaboration with Leica Geosystems helps solve these issues by giving just about anyone access to the amazing advantages of reality data.”

“As the leader in the spatial measurement arena, we recognized the gap between Leica Geosystems’ scientific-grade 3D laser scanners and emerging camera and handheld technologies, and set out to bring reality capture to everyone,” said Dr. Burkhard Boeckem, CTO of Hexagon Geosystems. “By combining and miniaturizing technologies available within Hexagon, the BLK360 defines a new category: the Imaging Laser Scanner. It is significantly smaller and lighter (1 kg) than any comparable device on the market. As we developed the ultimate sensor, we worked with Autodesk to create new software and ultimately achieved the next milestone in 3D reality capture. Together with Autodesk’s ReCap 360 Pro, the Leica BLK360 empowers every AEC professional to realize the benefits gained by incorporating high resolution 360° imagery and 3D laser scan data in their daily work.”

BLK360 & Autodesk ReCap 360 Pro Bundle will be available to order in March 2017. The anticipated bundle suggested retail price is $15,990/€15,000, which includes: BLK360 Scanner, Case, Battery, Charger and an annual subscription to ReCap 360 Pro. For customers who want to secure their spot in line to receive the first batch of BLK360 laser scanners, Autodesk and Leica Geosystems are offering a special limited promotion for a discounted three-year ReCap 360 Pro subscription with a voucher giving priority access to buy the BLK360. Go to this link to learn more.

Leica Geosystems – when it has to be right
Revolutionizing the world of measurement and survey for nearly 200 years, Leica Geosystems creates complete solutions for professionals across the planet. Known for premium products and innovative solution development, professionals in a diverse mix of industries, such as aerospace and defense, safety and security, construction, and manufacturing, trust Leica Geosystems for all their geospatial needs. With precise and accurate instruments, sophisticated software, and trusted services, Leica Geosystems delivers value every day to those shaping the future of our world.

Leica Geosystems is part of Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B; hexagon.com), a leading global provider of information technologies that drive quality and productivity improvements across geospatial and industrial enterprise applications.

Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, Autodesk ReCap 360, and Autodesk ReCap 360 Pro are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. 

Keeping up with the Joneses VFX 3D Scanning

Zoic Amps Up Neighborly Antics for ‘Keeping Up with The Joneses’

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Led by VFX supervisor Everett Burrell, Zoic Studios delivers big Hollywood explosions and high impact antics to amplify the humor of the film’s chance encounters and secret missions.

VANCOUVER, B.C. — Zoic Studios blasts mellow neighborhood envy to espionage proportions in the new action-adventure comedy Keeping Up with the Joneses from 20th Century Fox. The film follows an ordinary suburban couple (Zach Galifianakis, Isla Fisher) who finds it’s not easy keeping up with the Joneses (Jon Hamm, Gal Gadot), their impossibly gorgeous and ultra-sophisticated neighbors — especially when they discover that Mr. and Mrs. “Jones” are covert operatives. The Zoic team, led by VFX Supervisor Everett Burrell, delivered big Hollywood explosions and high impact antics to amplify the humor of the film’s chance encounters and secret missions. The film was released in theaters nationwide on October 21, 2016.Burrell worked closely with Special Effects Supervisor Michael Lantieri while on set in Atlanta, GA, to properly sync all practical effects for the augmentation executed in post-production. One heavy-hitting scene called for a fiery demolition of the Joneses’ house. The Zoic team collaborated with director Greg Mottola (Superbad, Paul) to bring his vision of an ‘80s movie-style detonation to reality. They intensified the larger-than-life eruption to leave audiences with no question of complete destruction, all while maintaining a photo-real look. Since an actual location was being utilized in lieu of a soundstage, none of the mansion blaze was captured practically, requiring the entire sequence to be created in CG.

Another scene called for Fisher and Galifianakis to spark a living room fire in a fantasy setting during a romantic moment gone wrong. The living room set was built twice, enabling the crew to practically ignite certain set elements and have Zoic Studios composite the flaming pieces into the scene in post-production.

While some practical stunt work called for VFX to bolster the action, certain moments required more comedy chops, including a scene where Galifianakis attempts a Hollywood-style jump through a glass window, only to bounce off the glass upon contact. To practically capture the moment, a stunt actor handled the brunt of the impact with Galifianakis jumping through an empty window placed in a hallway. The Zoic team seamlessly transitioned between the two performances to create a laughter-inducing moment for all.

Another sequence entailed creating the look of a 24-story vantage point from what was actually a 5-story perspective at a hotel. To implement this, the team placed a green screen on the floors between the pool, adding scale to the shots in CG to make the pool look significantly lower to the ground. Additional effects work included cleaning up shots to accelerate the action scenes, from practical stunts like removing rigs to muzzle flashes and bullet hits. The team also crafted a CG snake for a comical reptilian dining sequence between Hamm and Galifianakis.

“It was great working with director Greg Mottola to take the comedy to the next level. He has such extensive expertise in the genre and it was enjoyable to collaborate on the effects that would remain real and plausible in this comedy universe,” notes Burrell. “The comedy is so dialogue-driven, so we really worked to keep the VFX subtle and let the writing and performances speak for themselves.”

Zoic Studios amps the action in an explosion sequence from ‘Keeping Up with The Joneses.’

3D Scanning and LiDAR by SCANable
Source: Zoic Studios
Rent the Faro Focus S 3D Laser Scanner

FARO® Launches the Focus S Laser Scanner with IP54 Rating and In-Field Compensation for Construction BIM-CIM and Public Safety Forensics Professionals

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LAKE MARY, Fla., Oct. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — FARO® (NASDAQ: FARO), the world’s most trusted source for 3D measurement and imaging solutions for factory metrology, product design, construction BIM/CIM, public safety forensics and 3D solutions and services applications, announces the release of the all-new FARO FocusS Laser Scanner.

The FocusS is the newest member of FARO’s popular Focus Laser Scanner product line and is available in both 150m and 350m ranges. Designed for construction BIM-CIM and public safety forensics applications, this new line of laser scanners brings together several customer-centric features such as an increased measurement range, Ingress Protection (IP) Rating of 54 for use in high particulate and wet weather conditions, an accessory bay for custom add-on devices and a built-in field compensation routine for ensuring system accuracy at all times.

Focus S Laser Scanner Touch-screenFARO Focus S Laser Scanner with Tripod

“Establishing a new benchmark against the highly successful Focus3D models of the past 5 years, FARO’s Research & Development Team continues to set a high standard for laser scanners.  Equipped with highly advanced features in an ergonomic and durable design, the FocusS 150 and 350 are packed with today’s most innovative features to maximize efficiencies for laser scanning professionals,” stated Joe Arezone, Chief Commercial Officer of FARO.

With a sealed design, the FocusS laser scanner is certified to a Class 54 IP rating, featuring safeguards against intrusions such as dirt, dust, fog and rain as well as other outdoor elements which can occur in extreme scanning conditions.

To ensure confidence in accuracy, the on-site compensation feature enables users to verify the accuracy of the FocusS before each project on-site. Users can correct deviations caused during transport, carrier mishandling or incidental contact automatically on-site and a comprehensive accuracy document can be provided for each scan project.

With the integrated accessory bay, additional accessories can easily be connected to the scanner. Customers and third party developers can augment their scanning capabilities by utilizing this accessory port for future technological customization.

“Customers who have field tested our new laser scanners are truly excited about the overall capabilities, quality and affordability of the units which are unique to the market,” stated Andreas Gerster, Vice President of Construction BIM-CIM & Product Design at FARO.

The FocusS Laser Scanners are available for immediate shipment. More information on FARO’s FocusS Laser Scanners is available at: www.faro.com/focus

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks and uncertainties, such as statements about demand for and customer acceptance of FARO’s products, and FARO’s product development and product launches. Statements that are not historical facts or that describe the Company’s plans, objectives, projections, expectations, assumptions, strategies, or goals are forward-looking statements. In addition, words such as “is,” “will” and similar expressions or discussions of FARO’s plans or other intentions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performances, or achievements to differ materially from future results, performances, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Consequently, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

  • development by others of new or improved products, processes or technologies that make the Company’s products less competitive or obsolete;
  • the Company’s inability to maintain its technological advantage by developing new products and enhancing its existing products;
  • declines or other adverse changes, or lack of improvement, in industries that the Company serves or the domestic and international economies in the regions of the world where the Company operates and other general economic, business, and financial conditions; and
  • other risks detailed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Forward-looking statements in this release represent the Company’s judgment as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless otherwise required by law.

About FARO

FARO is the world’s most trusted source for 3D measurement, imaging and realization technology. The Company develops and markets computer-aided measurement and imaging devices and software. Technology from FARO permits high-precision 3D measurement, imaging and comparison of parts and complex structures within production and quality assurance processes. The devices are used for inspecting components and assemblies, rapid prototyping, documenting large volume spaces or structures in 3D, surveying and construction, as well as for investigation and reconstruction of accident sites or crime scenes.

FARO’s global headquarters are located in Lake Mary, Florida.  The Company also has a technology center and manufacturing facility consisting of approximately 90,400 square feet located in Exton, Pennsylvania containing research and development, manufacturing and service operations of its FARO Laser Tracker™ and FARO Cobalt Array Imager product lines.  The Company’s European regional headquarters is located in Stuttgart, Germany and its Asia Pacific regional headquarters is located in Singapore. FARO has other offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Turkey, the Netherlands, Switzerland, India, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, and Japan.

More information is available at http://www.faro.com

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161009/426696
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161009/426697
Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110415/MM84316LOGO

 

SOURCE FARO Technologies, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.faro.com

Hennessy VSOP 3D Scan

Hennessy Launches “Harmony. Mastered from Chaos.” Interactive Campaign using LiDAR Scans

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NEW YORK, June 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Hennessy, the world’s #1 Cognac, today announced “Harmony. Mastered from Chaos.” –a dynamic new campaign that brings to life the multitude of complex variables that are artfully and expertly mastered by human touch to create the brand’s most harmonious blend, V.S.O.P Privilège. Set to launch June 30th, the campaign showcases the absolute mastery exuded at every stage of crafting this blend. This first campaign in over ten years also offers a glimpse into the inner workings of Hennessy’s mysterious Comité de Dégustation (Tasting Committee)—perhaps the ideal example of Hennessy’s mastery—that crafts the same rich, high quality liquid year over year. Narrated by Leslie Odom, Jr., the campaign features 60, 30 and 15 second digital spots and an interactive digital experience, adding another vivid chapter to the brand’s “Never stop. Never settle.” platform.

“Sharing the intriguing story of the Hennessy Tasting Committee, its exacting practices and long standing rituals, illustrates the crucial role that over 250 years of tradition and excellence play in mastering this well-structured spirit,” said Giles Woodyer, Senior Vice President, Hennessy US. “With more and more people discovering Cognac and seeking out the heritage behind brands, we knew it was the right time to launch the first significant marketing campaign for V.S.O.P Privilège.”

The "Harmony. Mastered from Chaos." campaign showcases the numerous, complex variables that are mastered in order to create the harmony and balance of Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège.

The “Harmony. Mastered from Chaos.” campaign showcases the numerous, complex variables that are mastered in order to create the harmony and balance of Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège.

The “Harmony. Mastered from Chaos.” campaign showcases the numerous, complex variables that are mastered in order to create the harmony and balance of Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège.

Hennessy's Tasting Committee oversees the numerous, complex variables that are mastered in order to create the harmony and balance of Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège in new "Harmony. Mastered from Chaos." campaign.

Hennessy’s Tasting Committee oversees the numerous, complex variables that are mastered in order to create the harmony and balance of Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège in new “Harmony. Mastered from Chaos.” campaign.

 

The "Harmony. Mastered from Chaos." campaign showcases the numerous, complex variables that are mastered in order to create the harmony and balance of Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège.

The "Harmony. Mastered from Chaos." campaign showcases the numerous, complex variables that are mastered in order to create the harmony and balance of Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège.Hennessy's Tasting Committee oversees the numerous, complex variables that are mastered in order to create the harmony and balance of Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège in new "Harmony. Mastered from Chaos." campaign.

Hennessy’s Comité de Dégustation is a group of seven masters, including seventh generation Master Blender, Yann Fillioux, unparalleled in the world of Cognac. These architects of time oversee the eaux-de-vie to ensure that every bottle of V.S.O.P Privilège is perfectly balanced despite the many intricate variables present during creation of the Cognac. From daily tastings at exactly 11am in the Grand Bureau (whose doors never open to the public) to annual tastings of the entire library of Hennessy eaux-de-vie (one of the largest and oldest in the world), this august body meticulously safeguards the future of Hennessy, its continuity and legacy.

Through a perfectly orchestrated phalanx marked by an abundance of tradition, caring and human touch, V.S.O.P Privilège is created as a complete and harmonious blend: the definitive expression of a perfectly balanced Cognac. Based on a selection of firmly structured eaux-de-vie, aged largely in partially used barrels in order to take on subtle levels of oak tannins, this highly characterful Cognac reveals balanced aromas of fresh vanilla, cinnamon and toasty notes, all coming together with a seamless perfection.

“Harmony. Mastered from Chaos.”
In partnership with Droga5, the film and interactive experience were directed by Ben Tricklebank of Tool of North America, and Active Theory, a Los Angeles-based interactive studio. From the vineyards in Cognac, France, to the distillery and Cognac cellars, viewers are taken on a powerful and modern cinematic journey to experience the scrupulous process of crafting Hennessy VSOP Privilège. The multidimensional campaign uses a combination of live-action footage and technology, including 3D lidar scanning, depth capture provided by SCANable, and binaural recording to visualize the juxtaposition of complexity versus mastery that is critical to the Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège Cognac-making process.

“Harmony. Mastered from Chaos.” will be supported by a fully integrated marketing campaign including consumer events, retail tastings, social and PR initiatives. Consumers will be able to further engage with the brand through  the first annual “Cognac Classics Week” hosted by Liquor.com, taking place July 11-18 to demonstrate the harmony that V.S.O.P Privilège adds to classic cocktails. Kicking off on Bastille Day in a nod to Hennessy’s French heritage, mixologists across New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles will offer new twists on classics such as the French 75, Sidecar, and Sazerac, all crafted with the perfectly balanced V.S.O.P Privilège.

For more information on Cognac Classics Week, including a list of participating bars and upcoming events, visitwww.Liquor.com/TBD and follow the hashtag #CognacClassicsWeek.

To learn more about “Harmony. Mastered from Chaos.” visit Hennessy.com or Facebook.com/Hennessy.

ABOUT HENNESSY
In 2015, the Maison Hennessy celebrated 250 years of an exceptional adventure that has lasted for seven generations and spanned five continents.

It began in the French region of Cognac, the seat from which the Maison has constantly passed down the best the land has to give, from one generation to the next. In particular, such longevity is thanks to those people, past and present, who have ensured Hennessy’s success both locally and around the world. Hennessy’s success and longevity are also the result of the values the Maison has upheld since its creation: unique savoir-faire, a constant quest for innovation, and an unwavering commitment to Creation, Excellence, Legacy, and Sustainable Development. Today, these qualities are the hallmark of a House – a crown jewel in the LVMH Group – that crafts the most iconic, prestigious Cognacs in the world.

Hennessy is imported and distributed in the U.S. by Moët Hennessy USA. Hennessy distills, ages and blends spanning a full range: Hennessy V.S, Hennessy Black, V.S.O.P Privilège, X.O, Paradis, Paradis Impérial and Richard Hennessy. For more information and where to purchase/ engrave, please visit Hennessy.com.

 

 

Video – https://youtu.be/vp5e8YV0pjc
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160629/385105
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160629/385106

SOURCE Hennessy

spotlight stories app 3D Scanning Google ATAP Spotlight Story ‘HELP’

Google Brings Its 360-Degree Movies App, Spotlight Stories, To iOS

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SCANable helped bring the Google Spotlight Stories fourth animated film to life by capturing all of the sets, locations, actors and vehicles in 3D for recreation of each item as photorealistic 3D digital assets. These assets were used by the VFX teams to create the final version of the film.

Source: TechCrunch.com

Google Spotlight Stories, a mobile app featuring immersive, 360-degree animated films originally developed by Motorola, has now made its way to iOS devices.

When viewers watch the movie, entitled “HELP” they can look anywhere, set the pace and frame the shot by moving their mobile device. Previously Spotlight Stories was only supported by Android but is now available to users of iOS 8.0 or higher.

The app itself is intended for entertainment purposes, as it offers stories built using 3D and 2D animations, 360-degree spherical “cinema-quality” video, sound sphere audio and “sensor fusion techniques,” explains Google. In short, what that means is that viewers can look around inside the animated content by moving their body and the phone to see different parts or angles of the story taking place.

Basically, the app can take advantage of the device’s sensors like its gyroscope and accelerometer in order to offer an immersive viewing experience. However, it doesn’t let end users create these sorts of movies for themselves.

One of the original animations featured in Spotlight Stories when it debuted was a film called “Windy Days” by ex-Pixar moviemakers, which appeared on Moto X phones when the Android app rolled out. This, as well as the other content previously available on Android, is also available in the new iOS app.

The app includes films like “Duet” from Glen Keane, “Buggy Night” from ATAP, and “Help” by “The Fast and the Furious” director Justin Lin. What’s interesting is that this latter movie, unlike the others, is noted as being “free for a limited time,” which indicates that Google may be planning to sell movies through this service in the future.

The technology for making these artistic mini-movies was first developed by Motorola Mobility’s Advanced Technology And Products (ATAP) moonshot division, but Google continued to fund its development in the years that followed. However, because the app was originally intended for Motorola devices (like the Moto X), it didn’t immediately support a wide range of Android devices when it launched. Some limitations on Android continue today, as the Google Play version still indicates that Spotlight Stories is “not yet compatible with all smartphones.”

However, the new iOS release will work on any device running iOS 8.0 or higher, notes Google.

The app is a free download, here on iTunes.

Shade VFX logo

Shade VFX Nominated for an Emmy Award for Daredevil

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Daredevil, The Netflix Original Series, has been nominated for three Emmy awards in 2015, including one for Shade VFX in the category of Best Supporting Visual Effects. SCANable partnered with Shade VFX on this project by providing 3D scans of sets and actors used for camera tracking and matchmoving.

Source: Shade VFX

At the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards the Best Supporting Visual Effects category will award seamless, invisible effects in a television series and we’re utterly thrilled to be in the running alongside American Horror Story: Freak Show, Boardwalk Empire, Gotham, and The Walking Dead.

Daredevil, as we’ve discussed previously, was a unique opportunity for Shade VFX to expand both into New York and into the world of exceptional television working alongside Netflix and Marvel.

We created invisible effects that were a showpiece of the series, propelling the gritty and dark crime story forward and making your palms sweaty with action along the way.

Congratulations to the whole team that worked on Daredevil; Visual Effects Producer, David Van Dyke, Visual Effects Supervisors, Bryan Godwin and Karl Coyner, as well as Senior Compositing Lead, Steve J. Sanchez, Visual Effects Coordinator, Julie Long, Visual Effects Editor, Pedro Tarrago, Associate Compositing Lead, Neiko Nagy, CG Artist, Moshe Swed, and FX Technical Director, Kjell Strode.

Best of luck also to the Shade VFX team and all the other vendors for their nomination for Best Visual Effects for Black Sails! Particular congratulations of course to Chip Baden, who will be representing the Team Shade in this category.

Sincere thanks to Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Marvel and Netflix.

Leica_Pegasus_Backpack_Keyvisual_PIC_655x180

Leica Pegasus Backpack Wearable Reality Capture – Indoors, Outdoors, Anywhere

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Ultra mobile reality capture sensor platform – authoritative professional documentation indoors or outdoors

Leica Pegasus Backpack is a unique wearable reality capturing sensor platform combining cameras and Lidar profilers with the lightness of a carbon fiber chassis and a highly ergonomic design. The Pegasus:Backpack enables extensive and efficient indoor or outdoor documentation at a level of accuracy that is authoritative and professional. The Pegasus:Backpack is designed for rapid and regular reality capture – no longer is scanning registration needed for progressive scanning. The Pegasus:Backpack is just completely portable – enabling it to be checked in as luggage on a flight – simply fly-in, wear, collect, then fly-out. As part of the Pegasus platform, the Pegasus:Backpack is designed to act as a sensor platform with our standard external trigger and sync port outputs.

Leica Pegasus:Backpack

Map indoors, outdoors, underground, anywhere
Making progressive professional BIM documentation a reality with the Leica Pegasus:Backpack solution, synchronising imagery and point cloud data together, therefore assuring a complete documentation of a building for full life cycle management. By using SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology and a high precision IMU, we ensure accurate positioning with GNSS outages – ensuring the best known position independent of how it is used.

With the Leica Pegasus:Backpack outdoor areas or underground infrastructures with limited access professional data collection is no longer limited . By capturing full 360 spherical view and Lidar together means you never forget an object or return to a project site – no matter where you are. A hardware light sensor ensures the operator that all images are usable while other functions are verifiable and adjustable over the operators tablet device.


Main features

  • Indoor and outdoor mapping in one single solution – position agnostic
  • Marries imagery and point cloud data into a single calibrated, user-intuitive platform
  • Full calibrated spherical view
  • External trigger output and external time stamping for additional sensors
  • Light sensor for auto brightness and balance control for image capture
  • Software enables access to Esri® ArcGIS for Desktop
  • Capture and edit 3D spatial objects from images and / or within the point cloud
  • Economical with data – balances data quantity and quality, with project logistics and post-processing
  • Ultra light weight carbon fiber core frame with an extensive ergonomic support for prolonged use
  • Real time view of the captured data through the tablet device
  • Up to 6 hours operational time with optional battery pack

Hardware features

  • Two profilers with 600,000 pts/sec, 50 m usable range and 16 channels
  • Largest sensor to pixel in the market – 5.5 um x 5.5 um
  • Five 4 MB cameras positioned to capture 360° x 200° view
  • User adjustable acquisition intervals based on the distance travelled
  • NovAtel ProPak6™ provides the latest and most sophisticated precise GNSS receiver with a robust field proven IMU for position accuracy of 20 mm RMS after 10 seconds of outage
  • Marrying a triple band GNSS system with the latest multiple beam enabled SLAM algorithms
  • INS determination of the location, speed, velocity and orientation at a rate of 200 Hz
  • Ultra portable system fitting into one carrying case (system weight 13 kg)
  • Battery based – using four batteries in a hot swappable configuration
  • Multi-core industrial PC, 1 TB SSD, USB3 interface, ethernet, and wireless connection from the system to the tablet device

Leica Pegasus:Backpack Indoor mapping solution

Leica Pegasus:Backpack enables unimaginable applications for indoor and outdoor mapping combining  visual images with the accuracy of a point cloud for professional documentation – in a wearable, ergonomic, and ultra light carbon fiber construction.

Software features

  • User capable of adding acquisition point objects in a Shapefile format during data acquisition
  • Advanced export capability for CAD-systems and others (DWG, DXF, SHP, GDB, DGN, E57, HPC, LAS, PTS, NMEA, KMZ)
  • Semi-automatic extraction tools
  • Sequenced images and videos for rapid navigation and object recognition
  • Software pointer “snaps” automatically and continuously onto the point cloud data from within an image
  • Immediate access to point clouds for accurate measurement
  • 3D stereoscopic view to decrease errors and increase throughput
  • Shadowed or missing 3D points can be acquired via photogrammetric processes
  • Data capture module displays the current location based on a GIS user interface
  • Data capture module displays all cameras and Lidar scans live, simultaneously
  • Data capture module enables laser scanner management and GNSS Operation
  • Live status monitoring of system during data acquisition

Software benefits

  • Lidar accuracy with image-based usability
  • Digitise spatial objects through mobile mapping
  • A more natural approach for non-professional users while offering technical interface for advanced users
  • Scalable to your applications including less accurate simple GIS needs
  • Short data acquisition time
  • High acquisition throughput
  • High post-processing throughput
  • Manageable license options – compatible with thin-client viewer
  • Esri® ArcGIS for Desktop compatible
  • Leverages Esri® relational platform for advanced features