Great 3D Animation Demo Reels

Here are some really great demo reels. 

 

Ford SHELBY vs CAMARO vs JEEP vs VAZ 2107 vs HELICOPTER
by PANTURAL

This is a fun vehicle race showcasing all of the
*This is one of my favorites . . .


 

Michael Eves : 3d & Visual Effects Artist Demo Reel 2013

This is a beautiful well rendered 3d environment. Check out his site some very cool work.  http://michaeleves.com/


 

The Third & The Seventh - Architecture Art Across a Photographic Point of View by Alex Roman

Software: 3dsmax, Vray, AfterEffects and Premiere

 

The Third & The Seventh - Making of by Alex Roman HD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqyQVxVuRnM


 

Above Everything Else - Mind Explodingly Realistic CGI by Alex Roman

Software: 3dsmax, Vray, AfterEffects and Premiere


Sebastian Sylwan - New Lenses to View Reality: Art, Science and Visual Effects

At the end of a semester of an intro class, I always have at least one student approach me and tell me that ‘I ruined going to the movies for them’.  What they mean is that they can’t watch a film without thinking about the technology behind it.  I always laugh because If I can, I will watch a film twice, once for the film itself and and another to really look at the FX and Animation. 
The first time I watched Avatar, I wasn’t really even aware of FX and animation, I was able to just enjoyed the film.  I can say that was the first time that had ever happened; there were a few times in Avatar, but generally I just got lost in the film.  Well, thinking back, I guess I didn’t think about the waves in The Perfect Storm and I am sure there were others.  

Sebastian Sylwan of Weta studios gives a TEDx talk exactly about this.  And states that, “through out history we have searched for and constructed more and more sophisticated tools to produce better more convincing representations for our stories.” and that even though today we are using cutting edge technologies, the next generation will just “push the boundaries of story telling even further.”  I can’t wait.

Check out Sebastian’s talk. 
~Cornell

How Children Succeed

How_Children_SucceedHow Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character
by Paul Tough

Book Description

Publisher: Mariner Books; Reprint edition (July 2, 2013) | ISBN-10: 0544104404 | ISBN-13: 978-0544104402

“Drop the flashcards—grit, character, and curiosity matter even more than cognitive skills. A persuasive wake-up call.”—People

Why do some children succeed while others fail? The story we usually tell about childhood and success is the one about intelligence: success comes to those who score highest on tests, from preschool admissions to SATs. But in How Children Succeed, Paul Tough argues that the qualities that matter more have to do with character: skills like perseverance, curiosity, optimism, and self-control.

How Children Succeed introduces us to a new generation of researchers and educators, who, for the first time, are using the tools of science to peel back the mysteries of character. Through their stories—and the stories of the children they are trying to help—Tough reveals how this new knowledge can transform young people’s lives. He uncovers the surprising ways in which parents do—and do not—prepare their children for adulthood. And he provides us with new insights into how to improve the lives of children growing up in poverty. This provocative and profoundly hopeful book will not only inspire and engage readers, it will also change our understanding of childhood itself.

“Illuminates the extremes of American childhood: for rich kids, a safety net drawn so tight it’s a harness; for poor kids, almost nothing to break their fall.”—New York Times
“I learned so much reading this book and I came away full of hope about how we can make life better for all kinds of kids.”—Slate

http://www.amazon.com/How-Children-Succeed-Curiosity-Character/dp/0544104404


Still reading it . . . But I am liking it.   ~Cornell

The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation

The_Illusion_of_LifeThe Illusion of Life: Disney Animation by Ollie Johnston, Frank Thomas

Book Description

Publisher: Disney Editions; Rev Sub edition (October 5, 1995) | ISBN-10: 0786860707 | ISBN-13: 978-0786860708

An out-of-print collector's item since 1986, the definitive account of the development of Disney animation explains what made Disney's style unique and features original sketches and drawings revealing the origins of Mickey and the rest. National ad/promo.

http://www.amazon.com/The-ILLUSION-OF-LIFE-ANIMATION/dp/0786860707


I love this book!  It is another ‘Must Have’ for your classroom library, particularly if you have students who are focusing on 2d or 3d animation.  It is probably the most competitive career path and in general I have only 3-4 students a semester who have this focus.   Since it is such a small population, I want to make sure I have resources for independent study. I highly recommend it.  ~Cornell

*I would also recommend, “The Animator's Survival Kit” by Richard Williams
*I would also recommend, “Cartoon Animation” by Preston Blair

The Animator's Survival Kit

9780571202287 The Animator's Survival Kit by Richard Williams

Book Description

Publisher: Faber & Faber (January 7, 2002) | ISBN-10: 0571202284 | ISBN-13: 978-0571202287 0

The definitive book on animation, from the Academy Award-winning animator behind Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Animation is one of the hottest areas of filmmaking today--and the master animator who bridges the old generation and the new is Richard Williams. During his more than forty years in the business, Williams has been one of the true innovators, winning three Academy Awards and serving as the link between Disney's golden age of animation by hand and the new computer animation exemplified by Toy Story.

Perhaps even more important, though, has been his dedication in passing along his knowledge to a new generation of animators so that they in turn could push the medium in new directions. In this book, based on his sold-out master classes in the United States and across Europe, Williams provides the underlying principles of animation that every animator--from beginner to expert, classic animator to computer animation whiz --needs. Urging his readers to "invent but be believable," he illustrates his points with hundreds of drawings, distilling the secrets of the masters into a working system in order to create a book that will become the standard work on all forms of animation for professionals, students, and fans.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Animators-Survival-Richard-Williams/dp/0571202284


This is an awesome book and a ‘Must Have’ for your classroom library, particularly if you have students who are focusing on 2d or 3d animation.  It is probably the most competitive career path and in general I have only 3-4 students a semester who have this focus.   Since it is such a small population, I want to make sure I have resources for independent study. I highly recommend it.  ~Cornell

*I would also recommend, “The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation” by Ollie Johnston, Frank Thomas
*I would also recommend, “Cartoon Animation” by Preston Blair

STEM: Science in Colorado Classrooms: Big Bang or Black Hole?

Science in Colorado Classrooms: Big Bang or Black Hole?– Part 1 (Build An Atom)

by Jenny Brundin

Listen to Part 1

 

Science in Colorado Classrooms: Black Hole or Big Bang? – Part 2 (STEM Magnet Lab School)

Listen to Part 2

Future of Museums?

Smithsonian-X3d

Link to Virtual Model: http://3d.si.edu/explorer?modelid=55

Will all Museums have virtual exhibits in the future?  If students have access to these virtual exhibits with super detail, up close, and with virtual tool access, how will this change education?  How will it change all fields from medicine to archeology?  I have been telling my students for years that what ever your future career they end up in, 3D will be somehow be involved particularly in the STEM career paths.  Check out these videos on the Smithsonian’s X3d Project.  Super Cool!  ~Cornell

 

Virtual Models

autodesk-smithonian-08

 

Videos

Smithsonian X 3D – Overview - Meet the team and learn more about the Smithsonian x 3D project.

 

Smithsonian X 3D - What is 3D Digitization?

 

Smithsonian X 3D - Digitizing Collections

 

3D Scanning at the Smithsonian

What can you do to bring some of the Smithsonian's 137 million objects to life? Put them in 3D!
This is a full-time job for two of the Smithsonian's very own "laser cowboys," Vince Rossi and Adam Metallo, who work in the Smithsonian's 3D Digitization Program Office. They work hard to document, in very high three-dimensional detail, many of our priceless and important collections so that the objects are available for research, education and general interest.

 

Smithsonian X 3D – Conservation

 

Smithsonian X 3D - Education

International Robotic Olympiad–IROC 2013 Denver

This week I volunteered at the IROC 2013 and spent majority of the time as a referee. It was a blast; here are some of the shots I was able to get in between events.  I took hundreds of photos and will upload more when I can.  Here is a link to some of my photos:  http://www.3dteachers.com/2013/12/international-robotic-olympiadiroc-2013.html

So what does this have to do with 3D?  My students have been doing some really cool experimenting  . . . I will be sharing it soon.  ~Cornell

International Robotic Olympiad–IROC 2013 Denver


 
Here are some of the highlights from my days at the International Robotic Olympiad–IROC 2013 
This week I volunteered at the IROC 2013 and spent majority of the time as a referee. It was a blast; here are some of the shots I was able to get in between events.  I have some more and will update when I can.

If you intend to use these photos, please site and link back to www.3DTeachers.com.
Please contact me for larger images.
Creative Category - IROC 2013 Denver
Creative Category - IROC 2013
Creative Category - IROC 2013 Denver
Creative Category - IROC 2013
Creative Category - IROC 2013 Denver
Creative Category - IROC 2013
Creative Category - IROC 2013 Denver
Creative Category - IROC 2013
Creative Category - IROC 2013 Denver
Creative Category - IROC 2013
Creative Category - IROC 2013 Denver
Creative Category - IROC 2013
Creative Category - IROC 2013 Denver
Creative Category - IROC 2013
Creative Category - IROC 2013 Denver
Creative Category - IROC 2013
Creative Category - IROC 2013 Denver
Creative Category - IROC 2013
Creative Category - IROC 2013 Denver
Creative Category - IROC 2013
Transporter - IROC 2013 Denver
Transporter - IROC 2013
Transporter - IROC 2013 Denver
Transporter - IROC 2013
Mission Challenge - IROC 2013 Denver
Mission Challenge - IROC 2013
Robot Shove - IROC 2013 Denver
Robot Shove - IROC 2013
Creative Category - IROC 2013 Denver
Creative Category - IROC 2013
Creative Category - IROC 2013
Creative Category - IROC 2013
Robot Dance - IROC 2013 Denver
Robot Dance - IROC 2013
Transporter - IROC 2013 Denver
Transporter - IROC 2013
Creative Category - IROC 2013
Creative Category - IROC 2013
Mission Challenge - IROC 2013 Denver
Mission Challenge - IROC 2013

Transporter_IROC-2013_Denver

We Won’t Even Have to Dig Anymore

J-Park
Anyone who has watched Jurassic Park should remember the scene where we were introduced to Dr. Alan Grants dig site, which included that really annoying kid. Grant’s assistant introduces a ‘shotgun’ radar scanner, or something like that. “A few more years’ development, and we won’t even have to dig anymore.”  So do archeologists actually use digital techniques in the field today?  Jurassic Park was released in 1993 over 20 years ago. so is this even practical today? 
How Do You 3-D Scan a Dinosaur?
 
Here is and short BBC film showing one of the techniques used today . . .

BBC News Digital dig The Scanning Technology Revolutionizing Archaeology

 
Next-Gen Paleontology: 3D Printed Dinosaurs
About this lecture:
September 12, 2013, in the Linda Hal Library Main Reading Room.
Dr. Kenneth Lacovara, Associate Professor, Department of Biodiversity, Earth & Environmental Science, Drexel University
According to Dr. Kenneth Lacovara, “technology in paleontology hasn’t changed in about 150 years. We use shovels and pickaxes and burlap and plaster. It hasn't changed—until right now.” Dr. Lacovara will share his pioneering work in using laser scans and 3D printing technology to create and test scale models of fossil bones for educational use, museum display, and for testing hypotheses about how dinosaurs moved and behaved.

Check out this Blender Demo Reel

blender_banner

Now I have been using Maya for over 10 years and I am still a hardcore Maya junkie and have no plan of switching.  With that, every few years I give Blender a try and haven’t really been impressed, maybe because of my comfort level with Maya; I can navigate the interface with my eyes closed – literally.  If you are not familiar with Blender . . . It is a free open source 3d modeling and animation application. 

Check it out: http://www.blender.org/

Check out this Blender demo Reel, pretty impressive for an open source application.

Rapid Prototyping Tutorial with Maya



I just came across this cool tutorial which walks you through how to prep models in Maya for 3D printing. ~Specular 



What is Rapid Prototyping?


Think of a Rapid Prototyping machine (known as Printers,) as a hot glue gun attached to a printer's head! As the head of the printer goes back and forth, the hot glue gun - using a variety of very sophisticated materials, will shoot (jet) a bit of the material on a surface, layer upon layer, until a wall is "grown." The head of the printer stays at one level, moving left-to-right, and the base where the sculpture is build (know as the tray,) drops down! Because of this, printers have their limitations, and their eccentricities

Find the tutorial here: http://www.710films.com/TutorialsTips/CG/RapidPrototyping/Chapter1/Chapter1.html

The Creative Process: TED Radio Hour


"Is it an original idea? Or is it something where you're literally a creative collagist? You're taking pieces of the world that you see around you and that are inside of you and put them together in a way that you see fit." — Abigail Washburn
How are we inspired? How do we get from an initial inkling of idea to a fully formed work of art? It's often challenging to describe the creative process. In this hour we'll hear from some TED speakers — a poet, a novelist and a singer/songwriter — who explore their craft and the daily challenge of nurturing creativity.
http://www.npr.org/2012/06/01/153885491/the-creative-process

Imagination Meets Inspiration: Star Trek: Secrets of the Universe

Where do ideas come  from?  Do Sci-fi writers influence future technologies?  I just watched ‘Star Trek: Secrets of the Universe’  . . . VERY COOL!!! 
Capture
Star Trek: Secrets of the Universe
Premiere Date:May 15, 2013 - 10:00-12:01AM ET
Is building our own starship Enterprise possible? Will we ever travel between the stars as easily as they do in Star Trek? JJ Abrams' new feature, Star Trek Into Darkness, hits the screen in a golden age of scientific discoveries. HISTORY is there, giving viewers a deep look behind the scenes, on the set, and into the science–amazing new exoplanets, the physics of Warp drive, and the ideas behind how we might one day live in a Star Trek Universe.
Upcoming Airings:
  • May 16, 2013 - 02:01-04:02AM ET
  • May 19, 2013 - 01:00-03:01PM ET
  • May 22, 2013 - 09:00-11:00PM ET
  • May 23, 2013 - 01:00-03:00AM ET
http://www.history.com/shows/star-trek-secrets-of-the-universe

Check Out WeaveSilk.com

WeaveSilk

It is a very simple, interactive, algorithmic, geometric web-based painting program.  Enough said . . . Check it out.  

http://weavesilk.com/


My fun attempt . . .

index2

Ford GT-40: The Spirit of Speed

Check out this Industrial Design concept video:  This is a demo reel showing the Ford GT-40, entirely created by Luis E. Nieves, a digital artist based in Northern California. Software used include Autodesk Maya, Mental Ray and Adobe After Effects. Special thanks to Ivan Panqueva for doing the music. In addition is the making-of tutorial: Making of Ford GT-40 In Vegas

Ford_GT-40

A Day Made of Glass 2

FIND YOUR INSPIRATION!

"A Day Made of Glass 2," Corning's expanded vision for the future of glass technologies. This video continues the story of how highly engineered glass, with companion technologies, will help shape our world.  It is very cool!

GET INSPIRED! A Day Made of Glass... Made possible by Corning.

FIND YOUR INSPIRATION!

Watch "A Day Made of Glass" and take a look at Corning's vision for the future with specialty glass.  It is very cool!

 

GET INSPIRED! Hankook Tire: The Future of Tire Design

GET INSPIRED!

OMG! Check out this Industrial Design concept video:  Hankook Tire: The Future of Tire Design. VERY COOL!

Hankook_Sport_Tires_thumb[1]

2013 Spring GOT GAME? Competition–STEM FUSE

NEW Logo

Encourage your students to compete!

kids around computer

GOT GAME? Contest Details

Middle and high school students are invited to compete in our 2013 Spring

GOT GAME? competition.

  • This competition is open to students from 5th - 12th grades, competing in two divisions.
    • Junior Division:  5th - 8th Grades
    • Senior Division:  9th - 12th Grades

       

  • Games must be completely original and created using

    Game Maker or Game Maker Lite on Windows or Mac.  (The Lite version is available as a FREE download!)

http://www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker/windows

or  

http://www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker/mac

  • Only one game submission per student 

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RULES

Prize Information:

The following prizes will be awarded for each division:

1st Place

  • Student(s) - $250 Best Buy Gift Card   
  • School - FREE GAME:IT curriculum subscription (a $499 value!)

2nd Place

  • Student(s) - $200 Best Buy Gift Card  
  • School - FREE GAME:IT curriculum subscription (a $499 value!)

3rd Place

  • Student(s) - $150 Best Buy Gift Card  
  • School - FREE GAME:IT curriculum subscription  (a $499 value!)  

Submission Deadline:

11:59pm on

May 31, 2013

NO LATE SUBMISSIONS!

Winners will be announced

June 17, 2013

and the winning games will be posted on our website!

Students who have completed our GAME:IT course in school will have the skills they need to design a great game!

Check out our website for information on how you can offer GAME:IT in your high school!

www.stemfuse.com

Questions? E-mail

customerservice@stemfuse.com