The Embassy Employs modo
for New GMC Yukon Robot Spot
Robust,
Artist-friendly Toolset Increases Productivity on Pre-visualization
and Modeling Tasks
San
Mateo, Calif. — Nov. 6, 2006 — Luxology® LLC, an
independent technology company developing next-generation 3D content
creation software, today announced that modo™ was used by
Vancouver-based visual effects company, The Embassy, for the new GMC
Yukon spot, “Respect.” Praised for its speed, stability
and pipeline compatibility, modo was used extensively throughout the
commercial’s production. “Respect” is airing in
Europe and the Middle East, and portrays two inquisitive robots as
they explore and marvel at the GMC Yukon’s impressive new
features.
The
Embassy initially used modo to model props for pre-visualization and
to create a virtual set that was used as a reference for constructing
the actual set in Dubai. Paul Copeland, lead modeler, used modo to
define the initial shape and character of the robot. Using modo and
other 3D applications, The Embassy team made dozens of revisions to
the individual robot components to transform it into an intriguing
character with personality.
“The
design of the robot was very important and we needed a tool that
would allow us to make fast and timely revisions based on the
director’s feedback,” said Tristam Gieni, visual effects
supervisor. “Using modo I was able to quickly assemble, tweak
and render beautiful stills that I could present to the director on a
daily basis. Running modo on my Macbook Pro I could show updated
builds of the robot, zoom in on the robot’s fine details or
quickly render various details for the director’s review and
critique.”
modo’s
ability and accuracy to handle exported builds from the various 3D
packages was also essential during the R&D process, which
required that The Embassy maintain both high-resolution and
low-resolution versions of the robot that could be used to create a
motion capture and key-frame friendly rig for the robot and setting
up final renders for output via Lightwave 3D.
“modo
is a joy to use, and it addresses a lot of shortcomings we have
experienced with other software,” continues Gieni. “We’ve
been using modo at The Embassy for some time, and as the application
evolves both in features and workflow, it is becoming increasingly
relevant to our methodology.”
The
Embassy’s Tristam Gieni served as visual effects supervisor,
collaborating with the creative teams at Leo Burnett, Dubai, Spy
Films Inc. and The Talkies, to create the CGI robots and GMC Yukon.
The :45 GMC Yukon spot was directed by Trevor Cawood for Leo Burnett,
Dubai and produced by Spy Films Inc. and The Talkies. The music house
was Grayson/Matthews. The GMC Yukon spot is currently airing in
Europe and the Middle East, and can be viewed online at
www.spyfilms.com. Still images from the project are posted on
Luxology’s website at http://www.luxology.com/press/media/.
About
modo
modo
is an innovative 3D modeling, painting and rendering software
designed to accelerate the creation of world-class models, associated
color and normal maps, and ultra high-quality renderings. modo’s
modern workflow and advanced toolset easily deliver enhanced
productivity for 3D artists working in game development, film visual
effects, video production, graphic arts and design visualization. A
free 30-day full-featured evaluation version of modo is available for
immediate download from www.modo3d.com.
About
The Embassy
Founded
in 2002 in Vancouver, Canada, The Embassy Visual Effects Inc. was
formed by award-winning digital artists. The Embassy team has worked
on a variety of visual effects projects with production companies in
the United States, Europe and Asia. For more information visit the
company’s website at www.theembassyvfx.com.
About
Luxology
Based
in San Mateo, Calif., Luxology® LLC is an independent technology
company developing next-generation 3D content creation software that
enhances productivity via artist-friendly tools powered by a modern
underlying architecture. Founded in 2002 by Allen Hastings, Stuart
Ferguson and Brad Peebler, Luxology is home to some of the top 3D
engineering expertise in the industry. More information on Luxology,
its flagship product modo™, a gallery of artists’ images
and the active modo community is available online at www.modo3d.com.
######
©
Copyright
2006 Luxology LLC. modo is a trademark of Luxology LLC.,
in the USA and/or other countries. All products
or brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective holders.
For more information, press only:
Liaison Inc.
Scotti
McGowan, (604) 929-8498, Press
Contact
Reader contact:
Luxology, LLC
1670
South Amphlett Blvd Suite 214
San
Mateo, CA 94402
(650)
378-8506
info@luxology.com
http://www.modo3d.com
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