Meeting and Elections – December 6

When: Thursday, December 6 from 7:00 pm to 9:30pm
(7:00-8:00 social networking/holiday treats, 8:00 nominations and elections, 8:30-9:30pm sneak peeks)
Where: US Patent and Trademark Office, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 – (Jefferson Building)

Washington DC ACM SIGGRAPH would like to invite you to attend our end of the year event! Join us for holiday treats, a chance to socialize/network and get a sneak peek for what’s in store for 2013! Bring your laptop or DVD and show us what you’re working on as well! We will also be holding elections!

Washington DC ACM SIGGRAPH is currently accepting nominations for the following positions: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Please email us if you are interested in volunteering for a position at dc_siggraph@mail.com or robertoortiz1@yahoo.com. The main requirement is that all officers MUST be voting members of ACM and members of ACM SIGGRAPH. Information about the duties and responsibilities of each member is located here: http://wp.siggraph.org/washington/bylaws/

If you are unable to attend the meeting but would still like to volunteer for a position, please drop us an email and your name will be added to the ballot.

We are also looking for volunteers for Communications and Refreshments committees. If you’d like more information about a position feel free to contact us as well.

Meeting October 11, 2012 – Jacki Morie Presents

When: Thursday, October 11, 2012 from 7:00 pm to 9:30pm

(7:00-7:30 social networking, 7:30-8:30 presentation, 8:30-9pm Q&A)

Where: US Patent and Trademark Office
600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 – (building TBD)

 

http://usptocareers.gov/Pages/NewEmployee/Campus.aspx

RSVP: robertoortiz1@yahoo.com

Washington DC ACM SIGGRAPH would like to invite you to attend a special presentation from Dr Jacquelyn Ford Morie, Senior Research Scientist/Project Director from USC Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT).  Dr. Morie will talk about her work in avatars and virtual worlds at ICT and the Transitional Online Post-Deployment Soldier Support in Virtual Worlds (TOPP-VW), also known as “Coming Home.”  Ms. Morie is a true Pioneer in the computer graphics industry and DC SIGGRAPH is honored to have this special opportunity to meet her.  Please come early for some social networking before the presentation!

About Jacki Morie:

Jacquelyn Ford Morie currently leads the Virtual Words Group at ICT, which explores the potential of virtual worlds to address real world needs and affect positive change in participants who use them. She specializes in the fields of immersive worlds and social networking, as well as their connections to mobile technologies.

Prior to joining ICT, Morie spent six years in the animation and effects industry at
Disney Feature Animation, Blue Sky|VIFX and the award winning Rhythm & Hues. From 1990 to 1994, she was a researcher at the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Simulation and Training doing pioneering work in affective virtual reality environments designed to evoke emotional responses from their participants. She is co-founder of the game collective, Ludica, and has spoken at many international venues on the subject of games for experiential learning, virtual worlds and the effects of online identities.

Ms. Morie  is a long-standing ACM SIGGRAPH member and is a current director on its executive council. In addition she has held several key positions within the annual conferences over the last 25 years. She  is widely published with numerous papers on virtual worlds, virtual reality, games and their social impacts. She has contributed book chapters to Beyond Barbie and Mortal Combat (2007), Harry O’Neill’s Computer Games and Team and Individual Learning (2007), Systems in Health Care Using Agents and Virtual Reality (2010) and Affective Computing and Interaction: Psychological, Cognitive, and Neuroscientific Perspectives (2010). She is also a member of the International Visual Effects Society, the Digital Games Research Association, Women and Games International, the Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback Society, and the International Society of Presence Research. She holds an MFA and an M.S degree in computer science from the University of Florida. She earned her doctorate in computer information from the University of East London. Her dissertation focused on theories of space, embodiment and meaning in immersive virtual environments.

About TOPP-VW at the USC Institute for Creative Technologies

Transitional Online Post-Deployment Soldier Support in Virtual Worlds (TOPP-VW) also known as “Coming Home,”   explores the domains of persistent, easily accessible virtual worlds for delivering 3D tele-health experiences. Using the Second Life platform, we have created a specialized online virtual world for the benefit of post-deployment soldiers who are reintegrating to civilian life. This is often a difficult time for many soldiers due to both physical and psychological challenges. “Coming Home”
provides a dedicated space where soldiers can interact, find camaraderie, and
connect to resources for healing and transition. Thus, this environment serves
a function similar to the twentieth century VFW Halls.

The project builds on two of ICT’s research strengths: intelligent virtual humans and immersive virtual world expertise. ICT’s virtual humans “live” in this virtual world, where they serve as helpers, guides and storytellers, enhancing player experience and providing helpful information and way finding.

This work expands current virtual world capabilities by creating activities that provide physical – “real” – world benefits to participants. For example, inspired by breathing techniques of many relaxationtherapies, a veteran can use controlled breathing in an ordinary headsetmicrophone to cause their avatar to run on a virtual jogging path. Results from a study on this activity have shown a significant reduction in stress markers for participants.

“Coming Home” implements evidence-based Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) within the virtual world. With experts from the University of San Diego Center for Mindfulness, two experimental eight-week sessions were held. Virtual world mindfulness classes will also be held through our partnerships with AMEDD at Ft. Sam Houston, and the National Intrepid Center of Excellence in TBI and Psychological Health (NICoE) in Bethesda MD.

In addition, veterans can experience a Warrior’s Journey that consists of interactive narratives about the life and ideals of classic warriors, designed to be relevant to today’s soldiers. The capstone of the Warrior’s Journey is an interactive authoring system where veterans can create their own stories.

Visit cominghomecenter.org to learn more about TOPSS-VW.

ACM SIGGRAPH Conference Wrap-up

When: Tuesday, September 18, 2012 from 7:30pm to 9:30pm

Where: US Patent and Trademark Office- link to map: http://usptocareers.gov/Pages/NewEmployee/Campus.aspx
600 Dulany Street – (building TBD)
Alexandria, VA 22314

RSVP: robertoortiz1@yahoo.com

Now that everyone has recovered from the SIGGRAPH conference in Los Angeles, let’s have a de-brief and schwag exchange!

Did you take some cool photos or videos that you are willing to share? Did you get any extra “stuff” you want to give to those who couldn’t make it? Whether or not you attended the conference in Los Angeles, please join us for a post-conference social event!

DC_SIGGRAPH invites you to join us for an information exchange social event at the US Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday, September 18, from 7:30 –9:30 pm. Share your experiences with those who could not attend the conference this year. Bring your laptop and flash drives and exchange photos. Show off your coveted Pixar teapot! Tell us about the cool parties we missed!

See you there!

Visionary Innovators and Intellectual Property – April 26

DC_SIGGRAPH has been invited to atttend “Around the World with LES” on Thursday, April 26. If your interested in intellectual property then this event is for you! There are some interesting speakers!

http://www.lesusacanada.org/chapters/usa/washington-dc-chapter/april-…

Intellectual property, licensing and business development professionals will gather around the world to celebrate World IP Day and the importance of IP to the global economy. Participating LES (USA & Canada) Chapters and LESI societies will host events celebrating World IP Day on April 26, 2012.

Washington DC Chapter Event

DATE & TIME
Thursday, April 26, 2012
8:30 AM – 1:45 PM

Schedule

LOCATION
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Knox Building – 1st Floor Lobby Level Conference Center
501 Dulany Street
Alexandria, VA

TITLE
Visionary Innovators and Intellectual Property

SPEAKERS AND PANELISTS

Teresa Rea
Deputy Director
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Visionary Innovation: a View from Within the USPTO

James Pooley
Deputy Director General for Innovation and Technology
World Intellectual Property Organization
Geneva Switzerland
Visionary Innovation: Policy Implications for Business and Government

Adam Mossoff
Professor of Law
George Mason University School of Law
Promoting Innovation From Sewing Machines to Smart Phones

Bryan A. Geurts
Chief Patent Counsel
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
American Innovators: NASA Perspectives on Innovation

Dr. Alois A. Langer
Inventor of the Automatic Implantable Defibrillator
Medical Innovations and Health Care

Robert Sachs
Fenwick & West
Philosophy, The Patent Law, and Innovation

Moderator
Raymond Van Dyke
Van Dyke Law
Washington, DC

Technological Innovation and the History and Social Balance of Intellectual Property

DESCRIPTION
The importance of technological innovation and visionaries, as well as the social balance and value of Intellectual Property in society, will be discussed from various perspectives, including effects generated by the America Invents Act of 2011. In the morning session, patent practitioner and educator Raymond Van Dyke will speak on the history of technology, intellectual property law and the American patent system, including many visionary innovators in history. George Mason University Law Professor Adam Mossoff will speak on the topic “Promoting Innovation from Sewing Machines to Smartphones,” and Fenwick & West Partner, Robert Sachs will present on “Philosophy, The Patent Law, and Innovation.”

The lunch/afternoon session will include several distinguished speakers addressing visionary innovators and innovations from various perspectives. First, Deputy Undersecretary of Commerce and Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Teresa Rea, will provide a perspective of the USPTO. James Pooley, Deputy Director General for Patents at the World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva, will provide various business and government perspectives and policy implications regarding innovation. National Inventor Hall of Fame Inductee Dr. Al Langer, a visionary innovator, will speak on his experiences. Finally, Bryan Geurts, Chief Patent Counsel for NASA Goddard, will speak on “American Visionaries: NASA Perspectives on Innovation.” Ray Van Dyke will then moderate a panel discussion with the speakers on the value of intellectual property and current issues and challenges involving IP.

Join us for this exciting program and exceptional networking event to celebrate World IP Day, Thursday, April 26th, at the United States Patent & Trademark Office.

ONLINE REGISTRATION
LES Member & Non-Member: $10

Online Registration Deadline:
Tuesday, April 24, 12 PM EST

CANCELLATION POLICY
No refunds after April 24, 2012
Substitutions are permitted

SCHEDULE
8:30 AM Breakfast
9:15 AM Introductions
9:30-10:45 AM Speaker: Raymond Van Dyke
10:45-11:15 AM Speaker: Professor Adam Mossoff
11:15-11:45 AM Speaker: Robert Sachs
11:45-12:00 PM Break
12:00-1:20 PM Lunch Panel: Teresa Rea, James Pooley, Dr. AlLanger, Bryan  Geurtz
1:20-1:45 PM Q&A
1:45 PM Adjournment

Indie Game: The Movie Coming to DC on April 25

April 25 – Washington, DC
Indie Game: The Movie – The Tour Presented by Adobe®

The E Street Cinema, April 25th at 7pm

Discount code ($3.00 off)   for SIGGRAPH members- SIGGRAPHIGTM

Washington, DC
E Street Cinema, 555 11th Street Northwest

Wednesday,
April 25th, 2012

7pm (Doors Open 30 mins Prior)

The 96 min film follows the dramatic journeys of game developers as they create and release their games to the world. The screening includes an in-person Q&A
with the filmmakers and Adobe® prizes.

Buy tickets at www.indiegamethemovie.com

Indie Game: The Movie

2012 Sundance Official Selection World Documentary Competition
2012 Sundance Winner for Best Editing in World Cinema
2012 South by Southwest Official Selection
Labelled “A big hearted celebration of the artistic spirit!” by IndieWire and a “Must See” by Ain’t It Cool News.

March meeting

All,

DC_SIGGRAPH is planning to do something different for our March meeting.  Please join us for a film screening of Space Junk 3D at the Johnson IMAX Theater, Natural History Bldg at 10th & Constitution Avenue, NW on Friday, March 16.  A discussion with Andrew Johnston, a geoscientist at the Air and Space Museum, follows the screening. You can purchase tickets on line or call the number below.

We hope to see you there!
Information below:
Space Junk 3D. Evening Film Screening

Friday, March 16 @ 7pm

Presented by Smithsonian Resident Associate Program

$10-$13 buy tickets

Call 202-633-3030 to order

http://residentassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/reserve.aspx?performanceNumber=224318&utm_source=CAGW&utm_medium=OAnonSI&utm_content=cagwEVfebruary2012&utm_campaign=CAGW&tmssource=184785
After 50 years of launching our dreams into space, we’re left a growing ring of orbiting debris that casts a shadow over the future of space exploration. Experience mindboggling collisions, soar from stunning depths to unprecedented views, and embark on a sensory expanding voyage into our now-threatened Final Frontier in visually explosive 3D. Join Andrew Johnston, National Air and Space Museum geographer, following the screening for discussion and Q&A.

Date:
Friday, March 16, 2012 @ 7:00 pm
Space, the final frontier— or ultimate, orbiting landfill? For more than 50 years, we’ve launched our dreams into space. We’ve successfully brought back astronauts, space shuttles, moon rocks, images of the universe, and massive amounts of data. At the same time, we’ve also left a lot behind. Countless pieces of metal, glass, and plastic from satellites, rockets, and other manmade objects are orbiting directly above us. These objects, which can be as large as a bus, travel at high speeds, often crashing into each other, natural orbiting objects, or falling back into the Earth’s atmosphere.

Space Junk 3D (38 min.), narrated by Tom Wilkinson, explores the potential dangers this extraterrestrial clutter presents as it gets in the way of our scientific orbits. The film also introduces potential initiatives to clean up space.

A discussion with Andrew Johnston, a geoscientist at the Air and Space Museum, follows the screening.

See the Space Junk 3D trailer now.
http://spacejunk3d.com/

LOCATION:
Johnson IMAX Theater, Natural History Bldg
10th & Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

Quick Tix Code: 1P0-299

3D Studio Max and Compositing With Combustion

When: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 from 7:30pm to 9:30pm

Where: US Patent and Trademark Office – Remsen Conference Center – link to map:http://usptocareers.gov/Pages/NewEmployee/Campus.aspx

-NOTE: The meeting room might change

RSVP: robertoortiz1@yahoo.com

DC_SIGGRAPH invites you to hear a presention by Rob Cloutier on using 3D Studio Maxand compositing with Combustion for an upcoming documentary.

Continue reading “3D Studio Max and Compositing With Combustion”