Siggraph 13 Emerging Technologies
July 2013 – At Siggraph 2013, the emerging technologies area had more than just video and graphics. It featured audio and 3D in multiple forms.
On the audio side, the Univ of AZ was showing a percussion system that used actuators that mounted on real drums and cymbals and were driven by a Raspberry Pi processor. These systems put in automated rhythms to the drums and created an alternative “realistic” sound for virtual controlled instrument. This method is a first stage of a sound development thar will enhance the “isolated sampled” sound of most virtual instruments.
On the 3D side, there were on the floor training classes on the use of many 3d render and lighting tools, as well as 3D scanners and printers. The 3D prototype creation was shown in two modes as an additive process 3D printer using PLA or ABS material and also desktop/office use CNC machines. The 3D printers were available in multiple sizes and key discussions were on the proper construction of the internal bracing for object being created in the printers. On the CNC side, as they are a cutting based technology, the order of the cuts and resulting material removal also defines the underlying strength of the resulting design. There were several stations and discussion on the use of this technology and the proper design creation. CNC will remain a mainstream technology as it is usable on many materials that are not suited to 3D deposition printing.
To supplement the printing systems, there were many 3D scanners being shown including some large enough to scan a whole person. These technologies have both a data compression issue and a spatial resolution issue to manage. The spatial resolution, at this time, varies with the extent of the object being scanned – e.g. there scan generates the same data set size independent of extent, so the DPI of the scan varies proportionally. At this time, most of the new correction and compression algorithms are still experimental, but they are quickly working on developing standards.
