Awesome Summer Reading!!! droidMAKER - FREE

DROIDMAKER book now downloadable, FREE!

I read this a couple years ago and it is awesome!  Well, I am a bit geeker than most, a big Star Wars fan, and a 3D animator.  Either way, I could not put it down.  I think it is a great summer read for your students and the price is right..  --- Cornell
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I'm not really sure how this will go over, but i've decided to make my book DROIDMAKER downloadable in its entirety, effective today. It's a long book (518 pages), and I still recommend going to Amazon and getting yourself a copy (it's how you can pay for this "shareware"), but below are links to get PDFs of the book: I've divided it into the three "acts" that makes up the saga.

Act 1: Intro plus Chapters 1-6 [1.8MB]
Act 2: Chapters 7-17 [3.7MB]
Act 3: Chapters 18-26

(UPDATE 7/14: I added a little donation button in the left column ... if you love the book, but don't want to buy from amazon, a contribution of your own chosing would be great!)

I don't know how long I can keep these links available, so get it while you can. I hope you'll enjoy it - Droidmaker is really the only work of its kind - and I hope you'll feel free to share it with like-minded Star Wars/George Lucas fans, computer graphics folks, videogamers, movie geeks, and technophiles. The reviews on Amazon have been quite wonderful (both Alvy Ray Smith AND Ben Burtt rave there) but your feedback is always welcomed.

Thank you, and enjoy!

Introduction to Forensic Animation Technology

Eugene Liscio, P. Eng.

Provided by AI2-3D Forensic Animations
In the legal industry forensic animations have seen a growing use by lawyers and courts since the early 1990’s. Even so, there are still numerous people who have avoided this technology simply because of a lack of understanding. Yet, time and time again, forensic animations have proven to be advantageous in deciding settlements or trials simply because they are one of the best communication tools available to lawyers and accident reconstructionists today.

A forensic animation is the use of full motion computer graphics to recreate an event or to explain the inner workings of a device or process. Ironically, the same software used to create feature films such as Lord of the Rings or Spiderman is also used to create accurate and detailed animations which are admissible in court.

There are basically two types of animations, substantive and deive. A substantive animation is where physically accurate simulation software is used to provide the movement of objects based on data inputs. A common example is an automobile collision where the accident reconstructionist begins by collecting all the necessary data such as the terrain geometry, road conditions, vehicle specifications, impact speeds, friction coefficients, etc. This data is then input into the simulation software and the output is a set of data which describes the motion of objects. Many simulation programs also have the option to graphically animate the results of the simulation although, most are still lacking in the level of realism. Alternatively, the data may be output to another 3D animation program which can provide a much more realistic and higher quality animation. It is important to understand that the movement of objects is calculated based on dynamics and physically accurate mathematical equations.

Demonstrative animations (which are perhaps the most common), vary from showing how a mechanical device may have failed to how a medical procedure may have gone wrong. These are simply informative recreations based on data supplied to the animator and normally confirmed by an expert. Demonstrative animations may also be used to recreate vehicle collisions; however the animator or accident reconstructionist would provide the basis for the movement and timing of the vehicles as opposed to a simulation program.

Regardless of which type of animation is used, they still need to be accurate and should normally have solid data or reference materials to aid in there construction.

When to consider a forensic animation?

Read the rest of the article . . .

http://www.hgexperts.com/article.asp?id=5216

Breaking News!!! Autodesk Provides 13-Month Licenses for Students

AWESOME NEWS for my students and yours, Autodesk is providing 13-month student licenses for all their products, including 3ds Max and Maya.   This is giving  students such a head start, a 30-day trial is just not enough to really get into a software package.   With thirteen months on the other hand, students can really dive-in and build a strong foundation and can also try out some of the other products that they wouldn’t have otherwise.  I am always telling my students that they have to take charge of their education and go beyond what they are learning in class or they are already behind.  It is a competitive industry and you just need to “Always take it to the next level.”  I can’t say enough how awesome this is.  My students will defiantly not be bored this summer.  --- Cornell

You want to change the world. We want to see you do it.

Now is the perfect time to download the latest versions of your favorite Autodesk® products or try out a new one. Become proficient with the same software used by design and engineering professionals around the world, and further explore your design ideas that can make an impact on your future.

With the latest release of Autodesk® 2011 products, there are now more than 25 new software titles available for free* download on the Autodesk Education Community. All products now come with 13-month licenses, including 3ds Max and Maya. These new products can help you build skills needed in the workplace and introduce tools that support industry trends such as Sustainable Design, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and Digital Entertainment Creation.

You’ll also notice a new look and feel to the community – it’s been designed to help you find just what you’re looking for, faster. We’re eager to hear what you think – please send us your feedback via the links on the site.