3D-printed home of the future resembles a cave dwelling
This web-like structure looks fragile at first glance, but is in fact based on an algorithm that mimics the way bones grow in our bodies. That algorithm causes the growing structure to direct extra material to the points of greatest stress within the structure, and tells them to form stronger bonds in those areas. The result of that algorithm as applied to the ProtoHouse concept is a series of cave-like dwellings tucked away in micro-columns under the home’s long cantilevered deck.
The multi-family home of the future, as per Softkill, is composed of 30 discreet sections, the dimensions of which were chosen based on the size of the flatbed truck needed to transport them to the construction (or, should we say, assemblage) site. Each section was modeled to interlock with the others, which means that no additional adhesives would be required during assembly. That is, without a doubt, a revolutionary idea, even as far a prefab homes go.
See the full story here: http://www.tgdaily.com/sustainability-features/67413-3d-printed-home-of-the-future-resembles-a-cave-dwelling
Warners’ decision to open HFR 3D in just 400 theaters domestically is “a blow” to some manufacturers who hoped for a faster roll-out.
[Philip Lelyveld comment: WB has been flying people around the globe to make sure every theatre that does use HFR projection meets their quality-experience standards.]
Warners has decided to offer Hobbit in what is being called HFR 3D as a platform release, using 400 screens domestically, that will include 90 screens from Regal and 92 from AMC along with another 500 in international markets. The majority of theaters will show the movie at the traditional frame rate of 24 fps.
The next two Hobbit films—The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and The Hobbit: There And Back Again—will both have an HFR release. James Cameron has been a vocal champion and plans to make his Avatar sequels with HFRs. Douglas Trumbull has also said he intends to make movies at HFRs.
Most digital cinematography cameras and a growing number of technologies for the postproduction community already support HFRs. Paul Chapman, senior vp of technology at Burbank-based postproduction facility Fotokem, acknowledged his company is already working on a HFR project.
See the full story here: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/showeast-2012-major-exhibitors-sign-387289
Man Of Steel Confirmed For 3D And IMAX
““The film is going to be a visually exciting experience in all formats: 2D, 3D and IMAX,” Snyder said in the announcement. “Anticipating how audiences today embrace 3D, we designed and photographed the movie in a way that would allow Man of Steel to captivate those movie goers, while respecting fans who prefer a more traditional cinematic experience. We’ve taken great measures to ensure the film and the story come first, and 3D is meant as an enhancement.”
See the full story here: http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Man-Steel-Confirmed-3D-IMAX-33987.html
The Hobbit’s World Was Brought To Life With 3D Printers
Weta Workshop is one of the premier special effect studios on the planet. The studio is responsible for bringing The Lord of the Rings and other high profile films to life. Now they’re working on The Hobbit, and much of the modeling work is being done with advanced 3D printers.
A news report from July featured an inside look at Weta Workshop’s current operations, including the studio’s custom 3D printers. The report says that Weta is creating many of the props for the film with these 3D printers. The studio is even experimenting with a new kind of 3D printer attached to a large robotic arm for life size prop creation. It’s said that they could even build a car with it.
See the full story here: http://www.webpronews.com/the-hobbits-world-was-brought-to-life-with-3d-printers-2012-11
The Hobbit – FAQ for High Frame Rate
[Philip Lelyveld comment: WB has created a FAQ explaining High Frame Rate in preparation for the release of The Hobbit.
See the FAQ, along with a list of Regal theatres presenting the movie in HFR, here: http://regmovies.com/The-Hobbit-48
See the list of AMC theaters presenting the movie in HFR here: http://www.amctheatres.com/events/the-hobbit-high-frame-rate-theatres ]
Preview to MAKE’s Ultimate 3D Printer Guide
Philip Lelyveld comment: MAKE magazine got 15 different 3D printers and did structured comparative testing. The issue will be out in a month. This 30 minute video is a preview.
Watch the video here: http://robosavvy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8860&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=
Are 3D films more psychologically powerful than 2D?
Participants in the 3D condition reported finding the film clips more realistic. They also had a higher heart rate whilst watching the clips compared with participants in the 2D condition. However, there was no difference in amount of skin conductance (another measure of arousal) between the two groups, and no difference in how much they said they enjoyed the clips.
Rooney's team stressed that this was an exploratory study and that more research is clearly needed. For now they concluded the "suspension of disbelief is ... assisted by stereoscopic depth, with associated increases in reported perceived apparent reality and in heart-rate ... ".
See the full story here: http://bps-research-digest.blogspot.com/2012/11/are-3d-films-more-psychologically.html
Why 3D is rubbish
[Philip Lelyveld comment: this is mainly a complaint about the miniaturization effect of poorly-engineered 3D.]
I went to see the second 3D film this afternoon, which may account for my rather foul mood. It was a film I will have the pleasure of reviewing in The Press newspaper next week. It's an Australian shark movie called Bait, and boy did it suck. This is not giving anything away here, but there is a sequence where a giant tsunami washes away an Australian coastal city. In 3D, the giant wave swallowing up apartment blocks looked like a spilt cup of coffee knocking over a matchbox.
I'm not the only one to notice this. Guillermo del Toro, who is a cinematic genius, worried that his giant monsters and robots movie, Pacific Rim, would be ruined by the miniaturising effect of 3D.
See the full story here: http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/blogs/the-picture-palace/7905524/Why-3D-is-rubbish
3D TVs plummet to as low as £150
Despite not being as well known as LG or Sony, Finlux has been manufacturing TVs since 1964 and the owner is the world’s third largest television manufacturer with 25% of the UK TV market. They have also attracted good reviews from TV journalists.
See the full story here: http://www.3dfocus.co.uk/3d-news-2/3dtv-news-3d-news-2/3d-tvs-plummet-to-as-low-as-150/11019
MasterImage 3D broadens product portfolio
MasterImage 3D has broadened its product portfolio to ease the contemporary business decisions made by theatrical exhibitors. The 3D system suite now includes five models, each designed for unique screen sizes and booth types.
The MI-CLARITY3D line comes in three versions, specified to varying types of projection configurations. The new 3D product introductions, MI-WAVE3D and MI-DUAL3D, address exhibitors’ desires to equip big and small screens with high-quality presentations at competitive price points. Each model offers high-frame-rate compatibility, full system automation (2D/3D and start/stop) and a license-free ownership business model. The full lineup of MasterImage 3D digital cinema systems will be on display in booth 415 at ShowEast 2012 in Hollywood, Florida, Nov. 6-8.
See the full story here: http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/content_display/news-and-features/news/digital-cinema/e3id39bb7b415baa3e36abd0f9ae13a67da