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For some, the greatest freedom imaginable, is freedom from physical constraints

Industry News - Latest

Toshiba Develops SRAM Circuit Technique that Secures Low Voltage Operation of System LSI
Computing Power:
posted: 08/02/2010

Spain's Telefonica considers charging Google
Legal:
posted: 08/02/2010

Canon Applies VR Technology to Computer-aided Design System
Display Technology:
posted: 07/02/2010

VRSim Debuts SimSpray Augmented Reality Spray Painting Training System
Education:
posted: 07/02/2010

Soldiers use virtual reality to practice handling bombs
Education:
posted: 07/02/2010

Prion Leaves Lasting Mark on Memory
The Brain:
posted: 07/02/2010

Code Defends Against 'Stealthy' Computer Worms
Artificial Intelligence:
posted: 07/02/2010

First germanium laser brings us closer to 'optical computers'
Computing Power:
posted: 07/02/2010

Making Quantum Behavior Observable Using Optical Levitation
Computing Power:
posted: 07/02/2010

Artificial magnetic fields for light could illuminate correlated quantum systems
Computing Power:
posted: 07/02/2010

Electrons on the brink: Fractal patterns may be key to semiconductor magnetism
Computing Power:
posted: 06/02/2010

UK's Digital Economy Bill bill could 'breach rights'
Legal:
posted: 06/02/2010

Cambridge to study computer games
Education:
posted: 06/02/2010

Scientists make a leap in quantum computing
Computing Power:
posted: 06/02/2010

Apple's own approach to iPad e-books could confuse
Display Technology:
posted: 06/02/2010

Robots shed more light on evolution
Artificial Intelligence:
posted: 06/02/2010

Japanese Manufacturers Developing Millimeter-Wave Communication Chips
Connectivity:
posted: 06/02/2010

Robonaut 2: NASA, GM Create Cutting Edge Robotic Technology
Artificial Intelligence:
posted: 06/02/2010

iPad, anyone? Hospitals looking at the mobile device
Health:
posted: 06/02/2010

3-D printing coming in reach of consumers
Business:
posted: 06/02/2010



 

Latest Linkings

Avatar Creation >> The depths of the uncanny valley: Dealing with uncanniness
(added 21/12/2009)
One part of a three-part series on overcoming the Uncanny Valley from a game developer’s perspective; written in 2006. This final part discusses the efforts of others to overcome the valley, and the side effects it has had on the development process.


Avatar Creation >> The depths of the uncanny valley: Getting into the uncanny valley
(added 21/12/2009)
One part of a three-part series on overcoming the Uncanny Valley from a game developer’s perspective; written in 2006. This second part deals with the workload ahead of anyone trying to defeat the uncanny valley in a virtual world of their own making.


Avatar Creation >> The depths of the uncanny valley: Becoming uncanny
(added 21/12/2009)
One part of a three-part series on overcoming the Uncanny Valley from a game developer’s perspective; written in 2006. This part looks at the basics, and a short history behind the Uncanny Valley.


Neuroprosthetics >> Neuropace: Neuro-blanker
(added 16/12/2009)
A new neuroprosthetic on the market at the end of 2009, is an attempt to actually combiine a neural activity detector and a neurostimulator into one package. Traditionally this never worked because oncethe neurostimulator activates, it blocks out all underlying brain activity in the area - the implant is only reading itself. But, what if that is the desired outcome?



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We are experiencing severe server issues at the moment. Please bear with us as we attempt to figure out the cause. In the meantime, we cannot guarantee the reliability of any service.

We apologise for this issue, and hope to resolve it as soon as possible.




Virtual Dictionary

Latest Term: The Fresnel Effect

An effect used when dealing with the creation of realistic reflective surfaces, and the physics that go along with them, the Fresnel Effect was first documented in the physical world by the French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel.

In order to look realistic, reflections change as you approach them from different distances. This is why using static textures as ‘reflections’ never really works.

In reality, the angle between you and the surface of the object that you are looking at affects the amount of light that is reflected and refracted that you can see. For example, if you look at a lake from a far-off distance, it will appear almost completely mirror-like, yet, as you get closer, and the angle at which you are seeing the water widens, the water appears less reflective and more transparent.

Visit the Dictionary

Other recent entries:

Translucency Map

Translucency

Global Illumination

Latest Hostings

CG Passives >> Luxo Jr
(added 30/01/2010)
Made back in 1986, this very simple CG short is where Pixar's current logo comes from. It demonstrates that you don't need very complex elements or a high degree of 'bang-whizz' effects to create an adorable personality that hooks into the emotions.


CG Passives >> The Adventures of Andre and Wally B
(added 29/01/2010)
In 1984, there was a passive CG short film, created by the Lucasfilm Computer Graphics Project, which some years later became Pixar. It was one of the very first CG presentations ever made, and used a borrowed supercomputer - the Cray - to render.


CG Passives >> Knick Knack
(added 29/01/2010)
Made in 1989, Knick Knack was a three minute short CG animation by Pixar Studios, featuring what was then the cutting edge of rendering capability, way beyond what real-time renders were capable of. To put it in perspective, this was just six years before Toy Story was released.


CG Passives >> Geri's Game
(added 27/01/2010)
Made in 1997, Geri's Game is an iconic CGI short film, coming on the heels of 'Bug's Life', and the first real attempt at fabric animation by Pixar Studios.


Embodied Avatars >> Resource List: AHRA
(added 26/01/2010)
The Mahru/Ahra series of robots have been developed by KIST - the Korean Institute of Science and Technology – since 2005. The name has a similar root to the difference between 'android', and 'gynoid'. In this case, Mahru refers to a male robot, and Ahra to a female robot.


Robot Helpers >> VR Interfaces: Ahra-A
(added 26/01/2010)
The first of the Ahra series of robots was produced by KIST - the Korean Institute of Science and Technology - in 2005. This robot was identical in weight, height and body shape to the Mahru robots the institute also develops. However, there were some differences. Ahra's body was coloured orange and white instead of the blue and white of the Mahru series.


Latest Products

VR in Print >> The Surrogates - Book One: The Surrogates
(added 31/01/2010)
The first book of the series is a 240 page graphic novel, and is the material the Surrogates film was based on, although the filrm takes the material and runs into loonyville with it. This on the other hand is hard core science fiction, slowly becoming science fact. It is filled with deep exposition scenes, carefully thought out quirks, and fodder for the brain, based on current trends.


Augmenting the Classroom >> Ludoliteracy: Defining, Understanding, and Supporting Games Education
(added 26/01/2010)
On the surface, it seems like teaching about games should be easy. After all, students are highly motivated, enjoy engaging with course content, and have extensive personal experience with videogames. However, games education can be surprisingly complex.


Avatar Interfacing >> Robot Dynamics Algorithms
(added 14/01/2010)
Whilst over 30 years old now, this book is one of those whose usefulness is never likely to fade. It is a physics book, dealing with the mathematics and physical constraints of getting any rigid body jointed system to move as desired. Designed initially with robots in mind, long before the avatar, the maths contained within is ideal for grounding on ragdoll physics as used with avatars.


Coding for Alternate Lives >> Game Programming Gems: Book 1
(added 14/01/2010)
First published in 2000, book one of this series set one of the primary standards for game programmers. As a logical extension of this, simulation designers benefit tremendously as well. The book essentially argues a need to use standards to help an industry take off.