syntetik blok: May 2011

Wednesday, 25 May 2011

PyQt tutorials

These are nice tutorials for PyQt which don`t require using any file from qtDesigner:

http://zetcode.com/tutorials/pyqt4/

Tuesday, 24 May 2011

focus on Prime Focus

An update from Soho VFX:

http://www.primefocusworld.com/news/2010/11/prime-focus-handpicks-hottest-vfx-talent-launch-prime-focus-film

New player recently joining pool with established ones: Framestore, MPC, DNEG and Cinesite.

For job openings, go here:

http://www.primefocusworld.com/recruitment/uk

Saturday, 21 May 2011

BBC News - Keeping Britain's special effects dream alive

Nice article about recent Oscar for UK`s DNEG visual effects on Inception film and a gap in education for jobs at such companies. Consequently introducing UK leading visual effects school Escape Studios:
"On our compositing course - a group finished last Friday and six of them were out for interview on the Monday."

BBC News - Keeping Britain's special effects dream alive

Wednesday, 18 May 2011

Maya Python API 2.0

Autodesk recently released major update to Python API as part of M2012 hotfix. They did really good move with focusing on python interface to API. Most class parameters can now be returned and set without use of MScriptUtil class, probably least favourite part of Python API.
After playing with Pymel which did adress many issues long time ago, I prefer using "pure" Maya API for various reasons (use least wrappers, support by Autodesk, consistency with other TDs) and this update made it easier to stay with it. Also pymel is apparently slower then directly calling API.

Link to Python API 2.0 docs is at Developer Center.

Unfortunately this is not complete conversion. Lot of classes are still missing. You simply cannot switch completely to python API 2.0, yet locally (in modules that don`t return API class objects) it can be easier to work with Maya scene and compute certain tasks, especially classes like MMatrix and MFnMesh.

Tuesday, 17 May 2011

Tin Tin teaser

First trailer for Tin Tin animated feature (done at Weta Digital). Official website: www.tintin-movie.net

Saturday, 14 May 2011

more jobs at DNEG

Dneg still hiring, or by words of Simon from HR:

"It's all systems go at Double Negative! We need Animators, Compers, Lighters and Riggers for London and Singapore, reels to: jobs@dneg.com"

introducing Eallin Animation

Prague-based studio Eallin Animation currently in production of 3d animated children TV series introduced in detail and revealing its present work.

http://sourceecreative.com/news.php?ID=5550