Author: Mark Jette

https://www.meetup.com/dc-acm-siggraph/events/304188340

(Online) CinePaint: Hollywood’s Film Retouching Tool

DATE: Thursday, November 14, 2024

FROM: 7:00-9:00pm EST

WHERE: Online

The Washington DC Chapter of ACM SIGGRAPH is proud to present CinePaint project director Robin Rowe. Rob will be presenting an overview of CinePaint and how it is used in the film industry. Chapter board member elections will be held before the presentation.

CinePaint was used to produce visual effects in the Harry Potter films, the Lord of the Rings films, the Stuart Little films, Scooby-Doo, Too Fast too Furious, The Last Samurai and other major motion pictures. CinePaint is an image editor like Photoshop but designed for retouching high dynamic range (HDR) images in motion picture file formats.

In 2000, two Hollywood studios, Rhythm & Hues (later won an Oscar for Life of Pi) and Silicon Grail (later acquired by Apple) sponsored a secret open-source project to create a Linux tool for dust-busting and wire-rig removal. CinePaint supports frame-by-frame retouching with onion-skinning between frames and motion picture sequence playback. CinePaint supported file formats include OpenEXR, TIFF, PNG, JPEG and many more.

In 2002, while a columnist at the magazine Linux Journal, Rowe wrote about CinePaint being used making the film Scoody-Doo. Rowe became the CinePaint project leader. Next, Sony ImageWorks contributed many enhancements. ILM provided OpenEXR support. CinePaint was initially Linux only. Rowe created the Windows version, and created libunistd, a Windows port of the Linux operating system APIs. A Mac version of CinePaint was created.

What’s next? CinePaint is adding generative AI, multi-track soundtrack editing (to replace Avid ProTools using open-source software created for Pixar), animation (to replace Adobe Flash), slide shows (to replace Microsoft PowerPoint), and making updates to the GTK1 graphics APII.

MeetUp:

The Zoom client may need to be downloaded to connect to the meeting. Safelinks Protection, used by some email applications, may alter the link. Please contact us if you have issues accessing the meeting.

Please join us on Thursday, November 14, 2024, from 7pm to 9pm EST online to learn more about CinePaint.

** Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by attendees of the Washington DC ACM SIGGRAPH local chapter meetings are those of the authors/speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ACM, ACM SIGGRAPH, or the Washington DC chapter of ACM SIGGRAPH.

Biography – Robin Rowe

Professor Rowe joined DreamWorks Animation in 2004, creating software for Shrek 2 and Over the Hedge. At House of Moves, the largest motion-capture sound stage in Hollywood, Rowe created their MotionBuilder-Unreal animation system, used by Disney Marvel to produce fight scenes in Spider-Man Far from Home. At the World Health Organization, Rowe led medical metaverse engineering for worldwide telemedicine. At Lenovo, Rowe was design strategist for their ThinkReality AR glasses.

As chief technologist and AI research lab director at the multi-billion-dollar engineering firm SAIC, Rowe created real-time AI crisis detection and monitoring software integrated into the U.S. national defense system, then sailed on the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln to test it at sea. Created BrowseCutter, an MPEG video editing system sold to Time Warner and installed in 100 TV stations. Built the robotic television studios at NBC WMAQ-TV Chicago. As an NBC-TV broadcast news technical director, produced live nightly newscasts at WICD-TV in Champaign, Illinois. Former DARPA principal investigator for AI. Former Navy research scientist NATO VR war gaming.

Currently, Rowe is CEO of a start-up creating a compiler for a new programming language similar to C/C++, to provide the memory-safe benefits of Rust without the learning curve. Rowe served as chairman of the Rust Language Group at the Motion Picture Academy and was chairman of the ISO C++ Standard Group Low Latency Financial Systems Subcommittee. Professor Rowe taught computer science at the Naval Postgraduate School (Advanced C++) and at the University of Washington (Intermediate C++).

In May 2024, while serving as chairman of the UN ITU Medical Metaverse Task Group, Rowe moved to the Washington D.C. area.

Contact Washington DC ACM SIGGRAPH:

https://www.meetup.com/dc-acm-siggraph/events/303909672

(Online) Brain-Computer-Interface Systems

DATE: Thursday, October 17, 2024

FROM: 7:00-9:00pm EDT

WHERE: Online

The Washington DC Chapter of ACM SIGGRAPH is proud to present, Paras Kaul, Dr. Ankit Gupta and Francesco Garripoli who will be discussing two different Brain-Computer-Interface Systems (BCI). In an effort to further establish the efficacy of brainwave analysis to monitor, analyze and adjust personal wellbeing, Paras Kaul and colleagues Ankit Gupta and Francesco Garripoli, will present two Brain-Computer-Interface Systems (BCIs) currently available to the public. One BCI works with Apple OS computers and the other works on Windows computers. Ankit Gupta, CEO and Founder of Brainwaves Tech, who seeks to bring together neuroscience and behavioral science will demonstrate the Windows BCI, which combines real-time brainwave monitoring technology with patented algorithms that allow you to see your thoughts and emotions using analytic intelligence to gain insights into how the brain works and how to improve skills and further personal development. Francesco developed the original version of the Brainwaves Tech BCI and will show the main screen bandwidths and algorithms. Paras, who has worked with Masahiro Kahata since 1992 and demonstrated the BCI for Apple OS systems at several SIGGRAPH Conferences, will be introducing the latest BCI for Apple OS that is now supported in Berlin and called the Neurosphere BCI.

MeetUp:

Please join us on Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 7pm to 9pm EDT online to learn more about the Brain-Computer-Interface System (BCI).

Biography – Paras Kaul

As a brainwave artist and researcher, Paras Kaul composes brainwave music and animation de-signed with healing intention. She received a Master of Fine Arts degree at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and began a professional career at animation companies in New York, Vancouver, and Hollywood at Paramount Studios, followed by an academic career at universi-ties in California, Mississippi and Virginia. Paras is currently a board member for ACM’s DC Special Interest Group for Computer Graphics, and also a Board member and Deputy Chair for the National Qigong Association.

Having retired from university teaching and administration, Paras continues to analyze neurofeedback data before and after a variety of integrative healing modalities. Currently she is developing a brainwave animated MiniMe, that is a digital model of herself created from a 3-dimensional body scan. She has published peer-reviewed papers on brainwave learning and gaming and been an invited speaker to France, Australia, and the UK, where she presented her healing game and research at the Dana Center Museum of Science in London. Paras and her colleagues Masahiro Kahata in Berlin, Ankit Gupta in India, and Francesco Garripoli in North Carolina are working to establish the efficacy of using brainwave analysis to monitor and analyze personal wellbeing.

Biography – Francesco Garripoli

Francesco is an Emmy Award-winning producer featured in a series of award-winning, instructional Qigong videos as well as his seminal documentary on the subject for PBS-TV.

He gave up a fully-paid medical school scholarship to live in China, India, Hawaii, and Thailand to study with elder healing Masters since the mid-1970’s.

Francesco was also President of the East Coast SIGGRAPH in Washington, DC for three years in the mid-1980s.

He is an internationally recognized Qigong and Meditation instructor, yoga practitioner, musician, brainwave researcher, author, lecturer, and wellness advocate. Chairman Emeritus and senior advisor to the National Qigong Association (NQA) and current Chairman of the Qigong Institute.

Francesco has authored three books: “The Qi Effect,” “Qigong – Essence of the Healing Dance,” and “Tao of the Ride”.

Biography – Dr. Ankit Gupta

Dr. Ankit Gupta is a Mentor of Brain Potential Enhancement Program & Counselor with in-depth professional experience in the field of Brain potential Enhancement and Human Psychology. He has crafted various processes and procedures in the field of

Brain potential Enhancement, Brain Wave Analysis & Sound Therapy. Empowering individuals for optimum performance in their personal and professional life. During his more than Seven years of training and counseling experience he consistently and successfully trained individuals and group with excess of 12,000+ hours. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2011, a Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering and Management (Employee Psychology), Master’s Degree in Production Engineering, Master’s in Clinical Psychology, Awarded Honorary Ph.D. In Brain wave analysis & Customized Sound Therapy. He has been an ardent participator and volunteer in various social, cultural and co-curricular activities which include conducting seminars at Institutions, Private & Government Organization. He has also worked with the children who have intellectual disabilitys and has found positive changes in their behavior through sessions of Sound Therapy.

Contact Washington DC ACM SIGGRAPH:

https://www.meetup.com/dc-acm-siggraph/events/303358022

(Online) From Fire: Hannah Churn and Evren Bilgihan

DATE: Thursday, September 19, 2024

FROM: 7:00-9:00pm EDT

WHERE: Online

The Washington DC Chapter of ACM SIGGRAPH is proud to present, Hannah Churn and Evren Bilgihan, creators of the award-winning short animation From Fire. Hannah and Evren, both members of the Washington DC chapter, will discuss their journey in creating the animated short as well as providing a general walkthrough of how the film was made. They will cover the story and concept process through the animation process.

Director’s Statement

From our early beginnings fire has been a creator as much if not more so than a destroyer.

Humanity’s use of fire might be the single most important and pivotal event in our history. We have achieved so much from its use, from the first brave inventive applications for protection, cooking food, a hearth to weave stories all the way to pushing our probes to the farthest reaches of our Solar system. Our entire existence is interwoven with this chemical reaction.

In the film “From Fire” we attempt to show how profound it was for humans to manipulate something so dangerous to their needs with a number of vignettes of the many important inventive epochal events throughout human history.

MeetUp:

Please join us on Thursday, September 19, 2024, from 7pm to 9pm EDT online to learn more about the award winning short, From Fire.

Biography – Hannah Churn

Hannah Churn is a freelance director and animator based in the Washington DC area, driven by her love for creating stories that evokes emotions. With over a decade of experience in the field, Hannah brings a wealth of expertise and creativity to her projects. She has had the privilege of collaborating with a diverse range of clients, including the American Red Cross, ACLU, and AARP. When not creating Hannah is perfecting her sourdough recipe and drawing a lot of cats.

Biography – Evren Karl Bilgihan

Founder and Creative Director of Binary Beltway, a creative multimedia services firm focusing on public and private sector clients. A background in fine arts and visual communication with a passion for telling stories through a variety of mediums. Grew up in Virginia but has been based out of California for about 10 years. Has been a professional artist for almost 20 years. “From Fire” is his first film.

Contact Washington DC ACM SIGGRAPH:

http://s2024.siggraph.org/

(Hybrid) SIGGRAPH 2024 Conference Recap

DATE: Thursday, August 29, 2024

FROM: 7:00-9:00pm EDT

WHERE: V! Studios (directions below)/Online

The Washington DC Chapter of ACM SIGGRAPH would like to invite you to the 2024 SIGGRAPH hybrid conference recap. For those of you who did not get to attend the SIGGRAPH conference in-person or online, our board members and chapter members will be sharing their experiences and insights from the conference! If you attended the conference, share your experiences with those who could not attend this year.

SIGGRAPH Conference 2024

The meeting will be hosted at V! Studios and on the Zoom platform. A link to the meeting will be provided prior to the presentation to all those who have responded to the announcement on our MeetUp page. The link will also be visible to those who RSVP. Those who do not RSVP to the MeetUp announcement will not receive the link to the meeting.

MeetUp:

https://www.meetup.com/dc-acm-siggraph/events/302910908

Please join us on Thursday, August 29, 2024, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm EDT at V! Studios or online to learn more about the latest news from the 51^st SIGGRAPH conference.

LOCATION:

8229 Boone Blvd., Suite 420

Vienna, VA 22182

PARKING:

Parking is free at the V! Studios location.

Contact Washington DC ACM SIGGRAPH:

https://www.meetup.com/dc-acm-siggraph/events/302043487/

(Hybrid) Crafting Crescendo: How Team 122 Conquered the Learning Curve

DATE: Thursday, July 11, 2024

FROM: 7:00pm-9:00pm EDT

WHERE: V! Studios (directions below)/Online

The Washington DC chapter of ACM SIGGRAPH is proud to present the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 122 – NASA Knights, a NASA Langley House Robotics Team affiliated with New Horizons Regional Education Center in Hampton, VA. The NASA Knights is a high-school robotics team that annually participates in various FRC competitions. Rachel Payne, Tristan Hancock, and Grace Walker, high school members on the team, will discuss their journey in creating an award-winning 3D animation, including the problems they faced along the way, and what they learned in producing and submitting this animation to competition. Their animation submission was awarded 3rd place world-wide in the 2024 FRC Digital Animation Award, an international 3D animation competition sponsored by FIRST® and AutomationDirect.com

The meeting will be hosted at V! Studios and on the Zoom platform. A link to the meeting will be provided 5 minutes prior to the presentation to all those who have responded to the announcement on our MeetUp. The link will also be visible to those who RSVP. Those who do not RSVP to the MeetUp announcement will not receive the link to the meeting.

Please join us on Thursday, July 11, 2024 from 7pm to 9pm EDT at V! Studios, or online, to learn more about the team’s award-winning animation.

LOCATION:

https://washington-dc.siggraph.org/

8229 Boone Blvd., Suite 420

Vienna, VA 22182

PARKING:

Parking is free at the V! Studios location.

Contact Washington DC ACM SIGGRAPH:

http://s2024.siggraph.org/

(Online) Preparing for the SIGGRAPH 2024 Conference

DATE: Thursday, June 13, 2024

FROM: 7:00pm-9:00pm EDT

WHERE: Online

Please join the Washington DC Chapter of ACM SIGGRAPH as we discuss the upcoming ACM SIGGRAPH Conference for 2024. This will be the 51^st SIGGRAPH conference to be held at a new venue in Denver, Colorado. We will be discussing the in-person conference as well as providing available information about the conference. As always, board members and chapter members who have attended past conferences will share their stories.

The annual SIGGRAPH conference, in its physical format, is a five-day interdisciplinary educational experience in the latest computer graphics and interactive techniques including a three-day commercial exhibition that attracts hundreds of exhibitors from around the world.

SIGGRAPH Conference 2024

The meeting will be hosted on the Zoom platform. A link to the meeting will be provided 5 minutes prior to the presentation to all those who have responded to the announcement on our MeetUp page. The link will also be visible to those who RSVP. Those who do not RSVP to the MeetUp announcement will not receive the link to the meeting.

MeetUp:

https://www.meetup.com/dc-acm-siggraph/events/301409220/

Please join us on Thursday, June 13, 2024 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm EDT online to learn more about the 51st International SIGGRAPH conference.

Contact Washington DC ACM SIGGRAPH:

https://washington-dc.siggraph.org

https://www.meetup.com/dc-acm-siggraph/events/301068596/

(Hybrid) Reveal: Circle: Design Challenge

DATE: Thursday, May 23, 2024

FROM: 7:00pm-9:00pm EDT

WHERE: V! Studios (Directions below)/Online

The Washington DC Chapter of ACM SIGGRAPH would like to invite everyone to our CIRCLE design challenge reveal where we will be showcasing the work of participants who have created images for our 1st Chapter Design Challenge for 2024 which was announced in February. Participants will show their work then discuss the story behind the image as well as the software used and any tips the artist would like to share. Participants will also receive a complimentary membership to our chapter for taking part in our challenge. Our goal is to encourage our members and followers to stretch their imaginations, as well as explore new techniques, to create compelling stories.

There is still time if you choose to participate in the design challenge. The guidelines for the CIRCLE design challenge can be found below. Please let us know if you are planning to show an image during the meeting.

Please join us on Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 7pm to 9pm EDT at V! Studios or online to see the incredible designs from our design challenge.

_______________________________

LOCATION:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DVKyzwPzmScbSaBxpmZeFyuFPN0LDnK8/view?usp=sharing

8229 Boone Blvd., Suite 420

Vienna, VA 22182

PARKING:

Parking is free at the V! Studios location.

_______________________________

If you choose to participate, we do have a few rules:

* No political or religious artwork. Again, while we respect the right for artists to express themselves, our chapter cannot become a platform for political or religious agendas.

* When assets are provided, give credit to the asset provider if you use their asset(s).

* If there are questions regarding topics or content, please feel free to contact us. We would like to encourage people to express themselves.

Please let us know if you will be participating.

We look forward to seeing your creations!

– Washington DC ACM SIGGRAPH

_______________________________

– Design Challenge –

Challenge: Circle

Media: Use the application(s) or medium which inspires you

Circle. What does Circle mean to you? Of all the shapes, the circle is considered the most perfect, both from a mathematical standpoint and a spiritual one. An endless loop with no beginning or end. Throughout the world, the circle symbolizes infinity, unity, the life cycle, wholeness, completion, and divinity. The circle is also zero in our system of numbering, symbolizing potential, or the embryo. It has a magical value as a protective agent.

People have preferences for 2D or 3D so, either is acceptable so long as it conveys your story.

Our chapter logo can be found at the link below. The file contains both PNG and Illustrator files.

The ACM SIGGRAPH logo design guide can be found at the link below:

https://www.siggraph.org/about/logos/

_______________________________

Contact Washington DC ACM SIGGRAPH:

https://washington-dc.siggraph.org/

https://www.meetup.com/dc-acm-siggraph/events/300541194/

(Hybrid) Annual Demo Reel & Portfolio Review Night

DATE: Thursday, April 25, 2024

FROM: 7:00pm-9:00pm EDT

WHERE: V! Studios (directions below)/Online

Please join the Washington DC chapter of ACM SIGGRAPH for our annual demo reel and portfolio review night. Whether you are a graduating student looking to enter the job market, or are a seasoned professional contemplating a change, a dynamic demo reel and portfolio are a must. We will be reviewing demo reels and portfolios after which we will creatively discuss the works. Feedback will be provided on how best to showcase the skills, talents, and experience of each individual. If you do not have a reel yet, feel free to join us and enjoy networking with other like-minded individuals.

Putting together a demo reel or portfolio can be challenging. How long should it be? What are interviewers looking for? If you are looking for ways to improve your present position, or shopping around for a new one, the time to polish up your demo reel is now. If you are looking to hire, this will be a great opportunity to see a range of fresh new talent.

For those planning on presenting a demo reel or portfolio, we ask for you to RSVP so we will know how many people to expect. Ensure your work is online and you are able to share your screen during the Zoom session.

Please join us on Thursday, April 25, 2024 from 7pm to 9pm EDT at V! Studios and online as we discuss demo reels, portfolio questions, and more during our Annual Demo Reel & Portfolio Night.

LOCATION:

https://washington-dc.siggraph.org/

8229 Boone Blvd., Suite 420

Vienna, VA 22182

PARKING:

Parking is free at the V! Studios location.

Contact Washington DC ACM SIGGRAPH:

https://www.meetup.com/dc-acm-siggraph/events/299841731/

(Online) Roberto Ortiz: Art Education – Washington DC ACM SIGGRAPH

DATE: Thursday, March 21, 2024

FROM: 7:00-9:00pm EDT

WHERE: Online (Discord)

The Washington DC Chapter of ACM SIGGRAPH is proud to present our very own Roberto Ortiz, Senior Visual Information Specialist, and chapter board member. Roberto recently presented at the SXSW Conference where he discussed Art Education and how art is about observing. He will be sharing his presentation with our chapter then opening the floor for discussion.

The meeting will be hosted on the Discord platform. For those who have not already joined our server, you may require a Discord account. A link to the meeting will be provided 5 minutes prior to the presentation to all those who have responded to the announcement on our MeetUp. The link will also be visible to those who RSVP. Those who do not RSVP to the MeetUp announcement will not receive the link to the meeting.

MeetUp:

Please join us on Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 7pm to 9pm EDT on our Discord to learn more about art education.

Biography: Roberto Ortiz

Roberto Ortiz is an artist, illustrator, computer graphic artist, and software developer based in the Washington, DC area. He is a forum leader in the Computer Graphics Society and former chair of the ACM DC SIGGRAPH. Roberto is also the artist who created a majority of the USPTO inventor trading/collectible card series and was an integral part of the Office of Education and Trademark Services team who were responsible for the conception and creation of the inventor cards. He works on novel concepts to introduce students to inventors such as coloring books, 3-D models, and graphic novels, posters. He is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico with a B.S. in Computer Science

Contact Washington DC ACM SIGGRAPH: