A real life demonstration of the capabilities shown in this video would be awesome!
James Cameron keynote speaker at SolidWorks World 2010
I don’t normally just republish press releases, but this news is so big, it’s hard for me to add anything to it, so here’s the press release in full:
‘Avatar’ Director James Cameron Headlines SolidWorks World 2010
Visual Effects Pioneer Will Share Stories
of Overcoming Daunting Technical and Business Challenges
CONCORD, Mass., Dec. 21, 2009 – A machinist, a truck driver, and then a winner of 11 Oscars, Hollywood filmmaker James Cameron is now a featured special guest at SolidWorks World 2010, taking place Jan. 31 through Feb. 3 in Anaheim, Calif.
Cameron’s films, including Titanic, Aliens, and the Terminator franchise, have amassed over $3 billion in box office receipts. Not every tinseltown luminary could inspire an audience of 4,000-plus SolidWorks® software users, but Cameron is an innovator’s innovator. As part of his Hollywood resume, he has invented a plethora of technology for exploring the depth of the seas and outer space, including Mars.
“James Cameron does magnificent things with technology and imagination. But in a way, he does exactly what every SolidWorks user does: confronts technical challenges, works out solutions, brings them to reality, and enjoys the success,” said Jeff Ray, Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. CEO. “We’re thrilled to have him at our event.”
Cameron’s films have blazed new trails in visual effects and set numerous performance records. Among Cameron’s inventions:
- Filming, lighting, and robotic equipment for use in the extreme pressures of the deep;
- A 3D digital camera system to enable shooting of 2D and 3D film versions in parallel; and
- Mini fiber-spooling remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for deep sea use.
The making of Cameron’s new 3D feature film “Avatar,” a science fiction epic set in the virgin ecosystem of a distant planet, has required more than two years of new production technology development. Innovations include image-based facial performance capture, a real-time virtual camera for computer-generated production, and the SIMULCAM system, all of which help weave computer-generated characters into live-action scenes. These techniques are combined with stereoscopic photography to create a hybrid CG/live-action film.
…and much, much more
Cameron’s appearance will be one of many rich learning, networking, and entertainment opportunities at SolidWorks World 2010. Attendees will present more than 150 in-depth training sessions with an unprecedented number of popular hands-on sessions. More than 100 SolidWorks-designed products will be on display in more than 6,000 square feet of space within the Partner Pavilion exhibition hall. More than 100 partners will demonstrate technology products that complement SolidWorks software, and there will be dedicated time for birds-of-a-feather networking.
SolidWorks World provides a tremendous opportunity for users to network and share best practices. Nearly the entire DS SolidWorks R&D staff will be on site to talk to attendees, learn about their experiences, and demonstrate interesting projects. As always, the general sessions will stimulate and entertain. The sessions will include a sneak preview of SolidWorks 2011 software and presentations from DS SolidWorks CEO Jeff Ray, Dassault Systèmes President and CEO Bernard Charlès, and DS SolidWorks Co-Founder and Group Executive Jon Hirschtick.
There are numerous ways to follow SolidWorks World 2010:
| SolidWorks Blog – SWW 2010 topics | http://blogs.solidworks.com/solidworksblog/solidworks_world/ |
| DS SolidWorks on Twitter | http://twitter.com/solidworks |
| SolidWorks World 2010 account on Twitter | http://twitter.com/solidworksworld |
| SolidWorks World 2010 hashtag
(#SWW10) |
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23SWW10 |
| DS SolidWorks on Flickr | http://www.flickr.com/photos/solidworks |
| SolidWorks World 2010 Flickr group | http://www.flickr.com/groups/sww10/ |
| DS SolidWorks on YouTube | http://www.youtube.com/solidworks |
| SolidWorks World 2010 YouTube group | http://www.youtube.com/sww2010 |
| SolidWorks World blogger & Twitter feed | http://www.solidworks.com/swworld/2589_ENU_HTML.htm |
Also, Chris McAndrew of the 3D Engr blog will be SolidWorks’ first official Internet Correspondent. He tweets at http://twitter.com/Cbmcandrew and will be blogging about SolidWorks World 2010 on the main SolidWorks blog http://blogs.solidworks.com/solidworksblog/.
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About Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.
Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a Dassault Systèmes S.A. subsidiary, is a world leader in 3D solutions. The company develops and markets software for design, analysis, product data management, documentation, and environmental impact assessment. It is the leading supplier of 3D CAD technology, giving teams intuitive, high-performing software that helps them design better products. For the latest news, information, or an online demonstration, visit the company’s Web site (www.solidworks.com) or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-978-371-5000).
CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, SIMULIA, SolidWorks, and 3D VIA are registered trademarks of Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries in the US and/or other countries. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright © 2009 Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.
New SolidWorks World resource
There is a new SolidWorks World 2010 resource that which attendees may take advantage. It is the SolidWorks World 2010 mapyourshow.com website. It allows you to view the facilities, plan your booth visitations, search and contact exhibitors, and plan attendance for events. The only major drawback is that it doesn’t seem to link events with MS Outlook. However, the maps of the convention center are worth the price of admission to the website (free). 🙂
“Over 1000 touch points for feedback”
SolidWorks Corps claims to have “over one thousand touch points for feedback” that allow them to find areas that need improvement with their applications. Without getting into detail about the effectiveness of their use of these touch points, I’m simply pointing out where they do look. First, note that the Product Definition Group oversees much of this activity and is staffed worldwide.
- They conduct direct customer visits. My company was lined up for such a visit a couple years ago, but due to scheduling, I had to cancel on the SolidWorks representative at the last-minute.
- They are conducting an increasing number of user surveys (check the SolidWorks Forum and sometimes your email too).
- There are field people who work through the VARs.
- Technical support provides invaluable information.
- They gain information from meeting with User Groups.
- SolidWorks World provides significant information, such as the top 10 enhancement requests list, voted upon by attendees.
- They also peruse the SolidWorks and CAD forums. It’s my understanding that they also hang out at other popular independent CAD forums.
Where is the most effective place to request a change or notify SolidWorks Corp about issues with their software? Well, I think that depends. Submitting ERs might be the most effective method, actually.
Thoroughly discussing problems and difficulties in the SolidWorks Forum may also afford more attention. Bugging VARs about software bugs is fairly effective in my experience (some have had opposite experiences). Of all the bugs I’ve reported via my VAR, none remain.
Another way to give feedback is to comment on the various SolidWorks related blogs. Get your favorate blogger to talk about the issue indepth. Depending on the topic, bloggers do seem to have a little more pull than the average bear. Unfortunately, I know only one bear that uses SolidWorks (and when her system crashes, it is usually a result of her bashing it about about cabin).
Stump the Chumps submission form
See if you can stump the chumps with your SolidWorks questions at our session in SolidWorks World 2010:
Stump the Chumps question submission form
Also, if you have files to submit as part of your question, please email your question and files to stumpthechumps@gmail.com.
Stump the Chumps II (update)
There is a sizable group of suckers who volunteered to be your humble servants in the second Stump the Chumps session. At Stump the Chumps, you are given a chance to ask just about any SolidWorks questions you want. Preferably your questions will be about some issue you are currently addressing, which we can help solve.
The first Stump the Chumps session at SolidWorks World 2008 got bogged down with very complex model specific questions that were asked during the session. This time around at SolidWorks World 2010, we will not likely address those types of questions in session UNLESS you submit them via email to us prior to the session (with models or at least provide substantial detail). I would recommend submitting such questions by the end of the first week of January 2010.
That said, questions will be taken live at the session as well. But for best results, I highly recommend that your questions be submitted before hand. The more obscure your questions, the better for everyone! In the words of Jeff Mirisola, go ahead and make our day! Our goal is to fit as many answers as possible into the 90 minutes we’ve been allotted.
Please attempt to stump the chumps by emailing your SolidWorks questions to stumpthechumps@gmail.com.
Just so you know that we are real people, here’s the faces of your chumps:
UPDATE: We now have a submission website set up where questions can be asked and voted upon!