SIGGRAPH (Special Interest Group on GRAPHics and Interactive Techniques), for those who aren’t in the loop, is an annual conference and exhibition for all things creative. Basically, it’s where everyone in the industry goes to show what software and hardware they’ve been working on, talk about how they created certain effects and animation, and, of course, network.

Here’s a look at what to expect at this years SIGGRAPH:

Technical Papers

There are a ton of advancements and improvements in the software field that will be on display at SIGGRAPH. There’s something for everyone here whether your interest is in fluids, cloth animation, modeling, mesh, photography, editing and more. They have created a nice video preview of some of these on their YouTube page.

Of course, these are only a few of the amazing things that can be expected. For a full list check out the Technical Papers section of the SIGGRPAPH website.

There’s a big announcement coming from The Pixel Farm centering around a new form of tracking software they have developed. Straight from a recently released press release, it will be based on a new node-based flowgraph architecture and an industry-first in camera tracking and match moving software.

The tracking market is long overdue for an overhaul, and this is a game-changing advance from The Pixel Farm. I think they’ve just re-invented 3D tracking,” said Victor Wolansky, VFX Artist, E3post, and 3D Tracking Professor at fxphd. “New products emanating from these developments will be a ‘must-have’ for anyone involved in the visual effects business.

Parametric Reshaping of the Human Body in Images

There’s also an interesting piece of software from a group of individuals that promises to make reshaping the human body in photos as easy as adjusting their height, weight and girth. I’m sure there will be a few minute adjustments that will need to be made afterward (much like the Adobe CS5 Roto Brush), but it’s a huge leap forward, none-the-less.

Emerging Technologies

SIGGRAPH isn’t all about the software. There are many new hardware advancements that will be on display for everyone to try and/or see from 3d multitouch and other touch displays to advanced smart lasers. Check out the preview video on the YouTube and view the complete listing here.

Computer Animation, Talks and So Much More

There is so much more to see and do at SIGGRAPH, you really need to be there in order to take it all in. Even then, you won’t be able to see it all, but the experience alone would be a great thing to behold. Everything from seeing the latest animation techniques and hearing the artists who created them discus the process behind their films to the newest designs and experiences being used in video games. Check out the SIGGRAPH website for full listings of what they have in store for you.

iPhone App

This conference is huge and finding your way around is a difficult task, but if you have an iPhone, you can download the new SIGGRAPH 2010 iPhone app that gives you the listings of all the events happening day-by-day, create your own schedule, get maps of the convention center, exhibition area and L.A. (for parties and hotels), and more. This is a must have download for anyone going to SIGGRAPH, and it’s FREE! Oh, and don’t worry about losing reception and not being able to access parts of the app; it’s all stored locally on your phone. Worry free.

If you haven’t been to SIGGRAPH yet, there’s still time to attend this years event. This late in the game the prices will be higher, but even a day pass would be worth it to see what is displayed and to network with some of the greatest minds in the field. Conferences like this are the perfect place to stay ahead of the industry, meet like-minded individuals and have a great time.

SIGGRAPH 2010 is being held in the Los Angeles Convention Center. Conference times are July 25-29; Exhibition times are July 27-29. Click here for a full schedule (or download the iPhone app). Visit Siggraph.org/s2010/ for more info.

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Kook Ewo has worked on the title sequences for Splice, Silent Hill and Fracture, among many others.

We are trying something new here at FYM! Google Moderator allows anyone with a Google account to log in, post questions and vote up or down other questions if you like or dislike them. This allows you, the reader, to finally be in control!

We have an upcoming interview with Title Sequence Designer and Director, Kook Ewo (Splice, Silent Hill, Fracture), and we need your help! If you’re not familiar with his work, go check it out (http://thefrenchtitle.com) then come back here and post some questions and vote up or down other questions you like or dislike. Now is the time to finally ask a professional in the biz what you’ve always wanted to know! I’ll send him the top ten highest rated questions submitted (along with our usual questions) so start posting and voting now!

The deadline for posting and voting on questions is one week so get them in before July 9th! You will need a Google account in order to access the site. If you do not have one (and don’t want to create one) you can Direct Message me on Twitter (@fuelyourmotion) or email me the question at john@fuelyourmotionogrpahy.com and I’ll post the question on the board. Only serious submissions will be accepted.

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There will be a Gallery Showing of works with hands-on stations at The Grassy Knoll Gallery in Portland, Oregon from 7pm-9pm on Thursday, October 29th. If you can’t meet the deadline – make something anyway! There will be an online gallery to feature all works as they are completed.

Sita Cries a River in The Greatest Break-Up Story Ever Told

The only rules:

1. The final piece must have some sort of audience interaction, and be playable in a web browser.
2. You must release the source code under the same license as the content (CC-BY-SA)

You can leave comments, questions and works-in-progress on the official page: The Interactive Open

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If you’re familiar with the Adobe MAX conferences, you probably know what they are all about. However, if you’re like me, and you only think you know what the Adobe MAX conference is, it’s time to make plans for your next chance to attend.

This year, I talked quite a bit about the Adobe MAX conferences. Sure, they were coming to Los Angeles Convention Center. Sure, Adobe is a sponsor of my user group in Hollywood. Sure, I’ve been in a couple of Adobe groups myself. But when the opportunity to go to the Adobe MAX conference session came up, I thought that it wouldn’t really be for me. After all, I’m really good at all of that, so it’s not for me, right? Wrong.

Adobe MAX is not just a chance to sit in sessions and learn about a specific application of a tool or scripting device, it’s a chance to meet the masterminds behind the Adobe product you are particularly fond of. It’s an opportunity to listen to some advanced users talk about what new ideas and new resources are out there which you may have overlooked. And, perhaps more importantly, you’ll have a chance to sit with people who — like you — use and have a specific affinity for Adobe software.

Flash, Javascript, and AJAX

The heart of the conferences at Adobe MAX this year are dominated by Flash, JavaScript and AJAX. There is no doubt that more designers will be looking to coders to deliver our content to the world on mobile devices. While as designers, animators and compositors, we will need to consider the possibility of content that is accessible by Flash, and those Flash developers will have to start considering us non-coders.

Introduction of Adobe Flash Catalyst

Adobe has already started to consider us code-newbies. Today, Adobe announced the launch of Adobe Flash Catalyst. In this morning’s session, we discussed the ever changing definitions of participation and collaboration. And, while some of us are designers at the core, we need to consider the potential of a wider audience and how we can ensure our designs flow from our desks to the code writers’ labs.

Flash Catalyst allows Photoshop or Illustrator work to move directly into interactive prototypes without having to write any “real” code.  It can be published as is, or move into the hands of someone who knows what they’re doing with Flash to build simple interactive content or huge RIAs. If you can use Photoshop, chances are you’ll have no problem with Flash Catalyst.

Beta Release of Flash CS5

Also announced today were beta release news clips (and videos) of Flash CS5. Of course, once Adobe says “CS5″, it doesn’t matter if you are using Flash or any other product in the store, you know that the community goes crazy. Tomorrow, Adobe has more in store for their community of MAX’ers and the rest of you who couldn’t make it.

MAX is about community

Adobe is there for us, talking about work, talking about fun, talking about what’s ready to show, and; Adobe is listening to what their community of users is saying.

Forget about what you thought Adobe MAX was. It’s difficult to understand without being there. You still have 2 more days to grab a session pass and come to a panel discussion. After that, you’ll have to wait until 2010 for your next chance. This is more than connecting with the applications, it’s meeting people from South Africa, Korea, and Kansas City who all like to do the same stuff you like to do — and are really, really good at it.

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