Jul 19, 2023

SIGGRAPH 2023 Offers a Feast of Talks on New Animation, Including "Spiderverse," "Nimona," and "Elemental"

To celebrate this milestone, this year's conference will feature a variety of "time tunnel experiences" that look back on the history of computer graphics. Among the highlights is an animated timeline highlighting significant achievements related to computer graphics and interactive technologies since the first SIGGRAPH conference in 1974. Other programs include a screening of rarely seen videos from the early days of computer graphics and a "CG Curiosities Cabinet" displaying physical devices and hardware from the early days of computer animation.

Of course, most attendees will be there to discover the latest in computer graphics, and there will be a wealth of panels and presentations on aspects of animation production.

As part of the presentation on Stylized Rendering Techniques on Sunday, August 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., two technical advances from "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" will be discussed: first, Rebelle Watercolor Paint software and how it was integrated into the VFX pipeline, and the second is a presentation on the development of a CG pipeline capable of outputting line work.

Also on Sunday from 10:45am to 12:15pm will be four presentations on practical proceduralism in production. Creating an Art-Directed Furry Groom for the Disney film Legends of a Strange World, Creating a Massive Water Groom for the DreamWorks film Ruby Gilman: Teenage Kraken, and Disney-Pixar film The Elemental and implementing stylized bark shading to create plant-based characters for the Disney-Pixar film "The Elemental.

And on Sunday, there will be non-rigged rigging: 3:45-5:15 pm. This panel will cover the development of splats for "Strange Worlds," Pixar's curve-net animation controls used on "Elemental," and facial rigging in Pixar's upcoming series "Win or Lose."

On Tuesday, August 8, from 9:30-10:15 a.m., Iotis Catambas, Executive Director of Technology at Sony Pictures Animation, will discuss how Sony's investment in tools and technology is helping artists break new ground in animation. Iotis Catambas will talk about how Sony's investment in tools and technology has helped artists explore new frontiers in animation. On Tuesday from 3:45-5:15pm, the Advances in Animation Tools program will include an overview of techniques: the artists of "Spider-Verse" will explain how they incorporated variable frame rate animation into their pipeline, and the Japanese Brent Forrest of Marza Animation Planet will discuss a time filter system that allows animators to achieve a variable frame rate look similar to that of the Spider-Verse. Walt Disney Animation Studios also introduced the Swoop tool, which allows for easy motion production, such as binding multiple objects along a path, and DreamWorks Animation slides along a surface without changing the silhouette, DreamWorks Animation will show off its Skin Slide tool, which allows for secondary motion such as sliding or zigzagging along a surface without changing the silhouette.

A production session for "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" will also take place on Tuesday at 3:45 p.m., with an Elemental panel on Wednesday, August 9, at 10:45 a.m. Other production sessions include "Nimona" (Wednesday at 3:45 p.m.) and "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish" (Thursday at 11:45 p.m.).

Check the SIGGRAPH website for the full program lineup and register for the conference.