Digital "Tissue"

Weta Digital discusses the inner-workings of their Oscar-winning pipeline for digital characters simulation, "Tissue".
From core musculature to fat, fascia and skin, a robust and multi-threaded simulation toolset based on finite-element analysis technology.
Very brainy topic, not a lot of pretty images and sequences, but fascinating material nevertheless!
Via FXGuide.

Wavelet Turbulence Wins Oscar

Theodore Kim's seminal paper has been awarded a Tech Oscar by the AMPAS.

Abstract: We present a novel wavelet method for the simulation of fluids at high spatial resolution. 

The algorithm enables large- and small-scale detail to be edited separately, allowing high-resolution detail to be added as a post-processing step. Instead of solving the Navier-Stokes equations over a highly refined mesh, we use the wavelet decomposition of a low-resolution simulation to determine the location and energy characteristics of missing high-frequency components. 

We then synthesize these missing components using a novel incompressible turbulence function, and provide a method to maintain the temporal coherence of the resulting structures.

There is no linear system to solve, so the method parallelizes trivially and requires only a few auxiliary arrays. 

The method guarantees that the new frequencies will not interfere with existing frequencies, allowing animators to set up a low resolution simulation quickly and later add details without changing the overall fluid motion.

January 2013

Another Year begins, as 'foggy' and uncertain as any other.
Started off by resting, reflecting on the one that just went by.
Even with the fog, that keeps us from seeing but a few meters ahead, the Sun still shines bright!
As for a New Year's resolution, why not aim more at setting my eyes on the hopeful light that scatters through the dense veil, instead of having my gaze too fixed on the desperate uncertainty of what I cannot see?

Happy days to you all! Keep your hopes on the constant light emitter, and dwell less on the blinding thickness of the Z-Fog.  ;D

Interview on ZBrush Central

I was interviewed by Pixologic on behalf of Image Engine about the use of ZBrush for the work we did on Tarsem Singh's "Immortals".

You can check it out at:

http://www.pixologic.com/interview/image-engine/immortals/1/

Siggraph '12 - Papers Preview

A bunch of interesting research coming through this year...

Stitch Meshes - CG Woven Fabrics

A tool for modeling knitted clothing with yarn-level detail.

The simulations showcased in the video are mind-blowing, if you consider the complexity of the structures involved.

The work is paired with Steve Marschner's "Specular Reflection from Woven Cloth", also published this year.

To be presented at SIGGRAPH 2012.

The Art of Rendering

Great article from FXGuide.

A good attempt at being thorough about the current state of rendering technologies out on the market at large.

Specially informative sections on RenderMan and Arnold.

http://www.fxguide.com/featured/the-art-of-rendering/