I was pootling around the internet, typing Futurama-related stuff into Google, and came up with an interesting page on the technology used to do the computer animation in Futurama.
http://www.graphicscity.intergraph.com/ics/vpr/1999/fut_rls.asp
OK, so it's an old article, but it's interesting for nerds like me. And it turns out that they're not using True Computers like SGI workstations, but instead are using powerful NT workstations. Subtract one nerd point there. :-)
Adam Foster
On 1 Jun 2000 23:07:38 GMT, [email] (Adam Foster) wrote:
While you're at it, try going to http://www.intense3d.com and check out the specifications of the Wildcat 4110 ... damn! I would give my right arm to own one of those, I think (check the pic - it looks like the card uses one AGP and two PCI slots simultaneously!!!). That's an option they were given when purchasing the machines...
Sorry, meant the 4210. Not 4110.
5 nerd-points for that give-right-arm thing :-))
Stefan
workstations,
Never had any dates and 18 years old gives how many points ?
Of course a press release from Intergraph is going to only mention the Intergraph machines involved in the production.
In fact many platforms are used in the production of Futurama, not just Intergraph machines. Rough Draft utilizes SGI (Octanes, O2's, Indy's, Indigo's), Intergraphs, Macs, and even one dusty Amiga1200. The 3D is mostly modeled, animated and rendered on SGI. Off-line editing, some 2D effects, background/textures generated on Macs. Everything composited in Toonz on Intergraphs, and Dells. (The Amiga is used for rough pencil testing, and some Casio calculators used for quick calculations, PS/N64/DreamCast used for entertainment purposes..... no TSR-80's though).
I don't know if this info adds or subtracts any nerd pts, but I thought that people should know better than to assume that the information from one source is the total picture. (of course Intergraph is going to only mention that their machines were involved in a production, but they never mentioned that all the other machines were replaced by their machines or that no other machines were involved... and why should they.)
Actually the most powerful machines that are used in the production, that can't be purchased anywhere are the people. Without the people generating all of the drawings involved ( yes, paper and pencil, versions 5.01 and 6.4 respectively) and the people behind the computers and the rest of the support team, the boxes, no matter what name is on the outside of the case, would be nothing but expensive digital paperweights.
chan555
"Adam Foster" wrote in message news:[email]...
chan555 wrote in alt.tv.futurama:
Wow. I thought I recognised 4DWM running on some SGI box in a short 'behind-the-scenes' RealVideo film - I'm impressed by the range of hardware actually used. Including the pencils and paper. :-)
A couple of questions - (a) what 3D software is used on the SGIs, (b) how much does it cost, and (c) what's the probability of me being able to afford it and the hardware to run it on? :)
My budget might run to an elderly Amiga...
Well, plus $BIGNUM nerd points regarding the variety of hardware actually used, and apologies from me from relying solely on a press release.
"Adam Foster" wrote in message news:[email]...
a) Mostly SoftImage 3D... b) Do you really want to know?.... I think ~8k for SI 3D, but with the hardware and all ~20k per station. That doesn't include all the equip. needed to but off to video, etc. And then there is the cost of a comfy chair, that's where the real cost comes in.... c)You mean everyone doesn't have one?
-chan555
Ok, fist of all Futurama's 3D is exceedingly simple and could be done on a relitivly inexpensive home computer (By todays standards of course), you could replicate the program with little problem using any medium - high end 3D software package, Lightwave or 3DS MAX being the mid range. Probably even Animation Master could manage it although I haven't used it myself.
A 3D Artist myself I use a DELL dual PIII 550 w/ 512M of RAM and an SGI 320 at work but still bring files to work on at home using my meagre PII 400 w 128M RAM.
The thing that will cost you is the software although being the wonderfull place it is I'm sure you can find what you are after on the net.
Have fun...
Adam Foster wrote in message news:[email]...
In alt.tv.futurama, on the "Re: Interesting thingy about Futurama's CGI" thread, darkside wrote:
A few years ago, I was wandering through the exhibits at Space Congress (a convention for people working in the space launch industry), and saw a vendor of computer animation equipment. One of the software's selling points was that it ran on PC software. Admittedly, you had to get fairly high-end hardware, but that was still much cheaper than buying a dedicated workstation.
The results were beautiful -- no different than the professionally and expensively animated CGA commercials that I saw on television at the time. When I told the vendor that I hardly believed this ran on a PC, he confirmed that it did. However, the video-rendering cards they used were not your garden-variety XGA cards most PCs of the day had.
This, I suspect, is where you'd have to get spendy if you wanted to replicate "Futurama" at home. For most hobbyists, I'd bet that your trusty 3D AGP card and a nice monitor would suffice. So, to back up darkside, yeah kids, you probably *can* do this at home.