3D Computer Animation/SFX

Background:

Computer graphics date back to industrial and military experiments carried out in America during the 50's and 60's. Early projects involved aircraft and rocket simulations, combining traditional animation with computer generated material. By the 70's, on programmes like the "Old Grey Whistle Test" , these experiments had became articulated as artistic expression, with films being used as pop promos for Pink Floyd and the likes.

With the development of microchip technology during the 1980's, computer graphics then enabled creatives to design and fly 3D logo's around the television screen and create basic animated characters such as those in Rushes "Money for Nothing" for Dire Straits.

Today, these images look rather crude and ungainly, and the latest generation of computers enable animators to produce more complicated, elegant and refined images, for both the television and the cinema.

The future is looking boundless in the world of 3D, because as the available power is increased, so the 'rendering' speeds increase, which in turn allows for 'real time' rendering. What this actually means is that, given enough power, a 3D image, model or set can be realised instantly, opening the way for the much hyped world of 'virtual reality'.

What it is:

Rushes 3D department is equipped with Silicon Graphics Inc (SGI) Octane workstations and a multi CPU-Challenge which allows us to test and render at the highest possible quality while interactive work on graphics and animation continues in the suites. Amazing additional computing power becomes available at night when the SGI Onyxes go online for 3D. All systems run SOFTIMAGE 3D, ALIAS WAVEFRONT and MAYA- sophisticated 3D modelling and animation packages.

Similar systems have been used as an industrial design tool by car manufacturers and architects to create accurate models. More famous applications have been in feature films and commercials. For example Alias was used to generate the amorphous terminator in "Terminator 2". Softimage was also used to generate our award winning "Mrs. Butterworth's" commercial, but perhaps the most famous application has been animating the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park at ILM Studios in San Rafael. Another piece of new technology, Eddie, is used to combine multiple images. More graphics and animation packages like Alias Power Animator are also available and Rushes have in-house programmers to develop special software.

How it works:

Like most of today's hi-technology, there's not much to see apart from a monitor,a mouse and a small box tucked away in the corner. However, inside the machine the 3D animator can build and shape models, which can then be coloured, textured and lit as you might in a photographic studio. The models can be constructed to imitate the most complex of moving forms. Having created these sophisticated models, the operator can choreograph and animate the models movements as well as the camera angles, and bring the computer generated images to life.

Recent work:

Angela Noble | Dave Child | Gerald Crome

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