ViewPaint

Steven Speilberg's 1993 film, JURASSIC PARK, demanded dinosaurs that looked and moved realistically. A whole new set of tools was required for this level of complexity. Two of these tools, ViewPaint and the Dinosaur Input Device (DID), became workhorses on many other films, and were honored with Academy Awards. ViewPaint lets artists paint color and texture directly onto the surface of computer models. Artists used to do this indirectly, by working on an abstract, flattened version of the model, or by using complex mathematical functions. These techniques often work for simple rigid objects, but ViewPaint is especially suited for creature models with large, highly complex colors and textures. By creating a direct link between the artists' painting and the final results, ViewPaint allowed ILM to create highly realistic models. ViewPaint is fully integrated into ILM's creature animation system, and has been used on nearly every production at ILM since its premier.

Dinausaur Input Device (DID)

The Dinosaur, or Direct, Input Device (DID) was developed for JURASSIC PARK so that traditional animators could work with computer models without learning the arcana of computer animation software. At the time, it was uncertain whether there were enough well-trained computer animators to produce the complex and subtle animation required to make the dinosaurs move realistically. There were, however, many extremely talented, highly experienced animators working with traditional tools. The DID was designed to bridge these two worlds. Stop-motion animators often work with an armature that they pose for each frame of animation. The DID uses a slightly larger version of this traditional armature, but the angle of each joint is monitored with sensors. The data from these sensors is used to animate an on-screen, computer model. Originally developed for a single production, the system has become a workhorse in the production of many motion pictures, including STARSHIP TROOPERS and THREE WISHES, and its tracking abilities used in other applications, such as accurate surface digitization and robust capture of full-body motion performances. Executive in charge of digital technologies at ILM. Williams' vfx screen credits include TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY (1991), JURASSIC PARK and SCHINDLER'S LIST (both 1993), FORREST GUMP (1994), THE INDIAN IN THE CUPBOARD and THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT (both 1995) and SPECIAL EFFECTS: ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN (1996).  Scientific and Engineering Award (Plaque) 1996: For the development of the Viewpaint 3D Paint System for film production work. (w. John Schlag, Zoran Kacic-Alesic and Brian Knep)  Technical Achievement Award (Certificate) 1996: For the creation and development of the Direct Input Device. (w. Craig Hayes, Rick Sayre & Brian Knep) 2 Scientific/Technical Awards