SIGGRAPH 2014 Call For Submissions Share Your Talents at SIGGRAPH 2014! Present your work at SIGGRAPH’s 41st International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques: the premier showcase for creating experiences that wow the crowds and stimulate the senses. Taking place 10-14 August 2014 at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, Canada. SIGGRAPH 2014 welcomes your technical skills and creative talents, ensuring that this year’s event will be the best yet! Whether you are an industry veteran or student, join your fellow computer graphic artists and scientists and share your talents at SIGGRAPH 2014. This year, we are also encouraging submissions focusing on mobile devices! Please consider submitting your work to our SIGGRAPH Mobile program if you are creatively making use of a tablet, smart phone, or any other mobile device for augmented and virtual reality, location-based interactions, collaboration, visualization, or anything else you wish to show us. While there is something for everyone at the conference, there is nothing without you and your contributions. Every piece submitted to SIGGRAPH 2014 through the Call for Submissions is reviewed by a highly qualified jury composed of top practitioners in the relevant field. Because we want each jury to have the time to review each piece carefully, submission deadlines generally are several months ahead of the conference itself. All the submission deadlines are strictly enforced, so be sure to plan accordingly. New for SIGGRAPH 2014 - All contributors to the conference will be required to use ACM's rights management system to grant the necessary permissions rather than SIGGRAPH's information system (SIS), which you used if you previously submitted to a SIGGRAPH conference.  You will still use SIS for creating submissions, but there will be an additional step of granting permissions in ACM--SIGGRAPH's parent organization--system. The ACM right management form includes permission to record and distribute audio and video recordings of presentations made at the conference for the purposes of distribution by ACM and SIGGRAPH. For submissions other than Technical Papers, this is a permission and release form, which allows you to retain the copyright. For technical papers, authors will have the choice of transferring the copyright to ACM, or selecting an exclusive publishing license, or an Open Access license. Complete instructions are available at the SIGGRAPH 2014 web site. Please review the policy before submitting.

Important Submission Deadlines Details For How to Submit Your Brilliant Work to SIGGRAPH All deadlines are 22:00 UTC/GMT Verify deadlines in your time zone via The World Clock converter. 12 January 2014 Student Volunteer Team Leader Applications 20 January 2014 Technical Papers 21 January 2014 Art Papers and Art Gallery 31 January 2014 Production Sessions 9 February 2014 Student Volunteer Applications 18 February 2014 General Submissions Courses Emerging Technologies Panels Posters SIGGRAPH Mobile Studio Talks 4 March 2014 Computer Animation Festival 1 April 2014 Real-Time Live! Dailies 6 May 2014 Late deadline for Posters Submission Deadline Notes Poster submissions can occur prior to the 18 February “general submissions” deadline or the 6 May late deadline for Posters. In both cases, Posters are reviewed using the same criteria and by the same jury. Authors submitting prior to the early deadline will get decision notification in mid-April.

SIGGRAPH 2013 Highlights from Anaheim

Anaheim marked the 40th annual SIGGRAPH Conference and Exhibition.

SIGGRAPH 2013, the world's premier conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques, celebrated its 40th anniversary by welcoming 17,162 artists, research scientists, gaming experts and developers, filmmakers, students, and academics from 77 countries around the globe to Anaheim, California this week. In addition, 180 industry organizations exhibited at SIGGRAPH 2013 representing 43,850 sq. ft. of exhibit space. A total of 15 countries were represented on the show floor, which represented 38% of the floor being from outside the United States.

Mk Haley, SIGGRAPH 2013 Conference Chair

""No matter where SIGGRAPH is held, the gathering of tribes across such a wide range of industries and backgrounds always makes for an educational, inspiring, and delightful experience." said Mk Haley, SIGGRAPH 2013 Conference Chair from Disney Research. "SIGGRAPH 2013 was certainly no different. The content, the connections, the experience will live on through to Vancouver 2014. We want to personally thank everyone who participated or contributed in any way. Our plan is to use SIGGRAPH 2013 as a launching pad to extend the conference out beyond today’s closing through the creation of SIGGRAPH University and posting the entire 2013 Keynote session online amongst other initiatives."

In all, more than 1,354 speakers and contributors participated in the conference through a variety of talks, sessions, panels, papers, presentations, tutorials, and screenings.

Highlights from SIGGRAPH 2013 included:

The entire SIGGRAPH 2013 Keynote Session is available online here.

Nine Distinguished Animation Directors Share Their Complex Paths to Success at SIGGRAPH Keynote SIGGRAPH 2013, in collaboration with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented “Giants’ First Steps.” The panel was moderated by Randy Haberkamp of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and included notable directors: Ron Clements, Pete Docter, Eric Goldberg, Kevin Lima, Mike Mitchell, Chris Sanders, Henry Selick, David Silverman and Kirk Wise.

The panel explored the issues unique to the world of animation. The session was a part of the Marc Davis Lecture Series, which was established to provide a forum for film experts to explore the challenges of creating animation for feature films. The entire session is available online here.

The Project Skye blimp entertained attendees before the Computer Animation Festival.

The Computer Animation Festival presented the world's most innovative, accomplished, and amazing creators of digital gaming, film, and video. The Festival received more than 500 juried submissions in 2013. In addition to film screenings, the Festival included interactive sessions and exclusive learning opportunities to gain industry secrets and advice from some of the most successful professionals in the field. In all, there was a more than 10% increase in accepted films resulting in 8 additional hours of content for Daytime Selects. Also, the Electronic Theater returned with a total of 33 accepted pieces.

The Visuals Effects of Marvel's "Iron Man 3" was a popular session.

There was also a very deep set of 15 Production Sessions and a Real-Time Live! program that attracted major crowds.

SIGGRAPH 2013 Computer Animation Festival award winners were dominated by European films including:

Best in Show Award: À la Française

Directed by Morrigane Boyer, Julien Hazebroucq, Ren Hsien Hsu, Emmanuelle Leleu, and William Lorton, Supinfocom Arles; France

Jury Award: Lost Senses (Zmysły Prysły)

Directed by Marcin Wasilewski, Grupa Smacznego/GS Animation; Poland

Best Student Project Prize: Rollin’ Safari

Directed by Kyra Buschor, Anna Habermehl, and Constantin Päplow, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg; Germany

Best Student Project Prize Runner-Up: Sleddin’
Directed by John Pettingill, Texas A&M University; United States

Best Student Project Prize Runner-Up: Harald

Directed by Moritz Schneider, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg; Germany

Technical Papers, the premier global forum for presenting groundbreaking research from today's leading experts. The SIGGRAPH 2013 Technical Papers program featured 115 Technical Papers, selected among 480 submissions. The Technical Papers detailed new advances across many fronts, including 3D printing, creating water and snow with particles, deformation and distortion, and more.

The SIGGRAPH 2013 Art Gallery: XYZN: Scale presented exceptional digital and technologically mediated artworks that explored the existence of wonderment, mystery, and awe in today’s world of mediating technologies and abundant data. From nearly 400 submissions, the Art Gallery jury selected 16 pieces to be featured.

SIGGRAPH 2013 Emerging Technologies presented innovative technologies and applications of the latest developments in several fields, from 3D displays and interactive input devices to collaborative environments and robotics, and technologies that apply to film and game production. The Emerging Technologies program provides attendees a unique hands-on opportunity to interact with select innovative technologies before they become hot topics in the mainstream media and blogs.

This year marks the debut of “SIGGRAPH University” where four 2013 Courses were recorded onsite and will be posted to the internet this year and free to watch. More content will follow from SIGGRAPH 2014.

Evan Hirsch,  Business Symposium Chair

The third annual SIGGRAPH Business Symposium was held on Sunday, featuring keynote speaker Captain Thomas Chaby, executive officer at the Naval Special Warfare Center who spoke on disruption in the battlefield. The objective of the event was to provide tactics for leaders in the industry to move beyond disruption.

Click here for access to SIGGRAPH 2013 photos.

Day 4 just flew by! Here's a quick recap of all the incredible activities including Pixar teapots, contest give-aways, Production Sessions, Computer Animation Festival, Electronic Theater, Dailies, and SIGGRAPH "After Dark", which featured outdoor viewings of "Toy Story" and "Jurassic Park".

The Pixar walking teapots have been distributed at SIGGRAPH for 10 years. This popular tradition of the conference has attendees lining up early to collect one of only 1,000 teapots that are each of the three days of the SIGGRAPH Exhibition. Learn more from the designer of the teapots, Dylan Sisson.

SIGGRAPH Day 3: More Sizzle Less Sleep

 Join the Scoop team as they take you on a brief recap of all the content, activities, and action at day 3 of SIGGRAPH 2013 in Anaheim. From morning to night, there is nothing like a full day at SIGGRAPH.

Check Out SIGGRAPH 2013 Posters and New Poster Videos

SIGGRAPH 2013 Posters Coordinator Kurt Luther provides a high-level overview of the Posters Program. Posters are a convenient method for presenting in-progress research, student projects, and late-breaking work. Poster topics range from applications of computer graphics to in-depth research in specific areas. They are on display for attendees to browse at their leisure. Poster authors meet and discuss their work with attendees during scheduled Poster Presentations.

SIGGRAPH 2013 Electronic Theater Time Lapse

A popular part of the Computer Animation Festival is the premiere screening of the SIGGRAPH 2013 Electronic Theater. Here's a time lapse quick clip of the Arena filling up before the show starts. We seemed to have filled the place!

iPhone/iPad Users: Make Certain to Download this App Prior to Electronic Theater

iPhone/iPad users attending any of the Electronic Theater screenings at the SIGGRAPH 2013 Computer Animation Festival pay attention - in order to fully enjoy robots and graphics meeting in mid-air, you need to download this Sky Wars app.

Brought to you by a research collaboration between ETH and Disney Research, Zurich, Skye combines the elegant and energy efficient flight of a blimp with the precise handling characteristics of a quadcopter.  Agile motion is supported by long flight duration, safe deployment around people, and an integrated camera system.  Inter LEDs are used for the creation of aerial visual effects.

Special thanks to PARAQLINX for providing video livestream.

Requirements: Compatible with iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation), iPad 2 Wi-Fi, iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G, iPad (3rd generation), iPad Wi-Fi + 4G, iPad (4th generation), iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (4th generation), iPad mini and iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular. Requires iOS 4.3 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.

SIGGRAPH 2013 Computer Animation Festival Releases Statistics Prior to Open

SIGGRAPH 2013 Computer Animation Festival recently released interesting statistics about this year's new batch of amazing films. The Festival is recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a qualifying festival. Since 1999, several works originally presented in the Computer Animation Festival have been nominated for or have received a "Best Animated Short" Academy Award. This year’s selections will be featured through a series of daily Festival Screenings and the iconic Electronic Theater, allowing attendees to get a glimpse behind the making of computer-
generated effects, visualizations, and animations.

Fun Facts:

• More than 500 submissions
• 10% more content resulting in 8 hours of more content in Daytime Selects
• There are 104 pieces selected for the Computer Animation Festival this year
• The Electronic Theater is scheduled to show 33 pieces (18 of which are also screened in Daytime Selects)
• There are 89 pieces across 9 Daytime Select Categories which are:
• Advertising (18)
• Games (12)
• Demoscene (10)
• Shorts & Features (16)
• Traditional & Stopframe Animation (5)
• Student Films (12)
• Visual Effects (10)
• Music Videos (6)

These categories were developed to make it as easy as possible for the attendees to see the work that is most important to them since time is so valuable onsite. Thus planning on what to attend becomes far easier.

 

Want to have a taste of the films?  Click below:

 

 

More Fun Facts:

• There were 239 student submissions and most were of exceptional caliber according to Smith.
• There was an international outreach for content, specifically selected entries were from:
• 16% from Asia
• 49% from Europe
• 3% from Middle East
• 4% from Australia/New Zealand
• There were award winners from Germany, Poland, and France

“Every piece in the festival has something that made it stand out from the 40 hours of content submitted for this year’s show,” says Jason RM Smith, SIGGRAPH 2013 Computer Animation Festival Chair. “There's no other venue in the world comparable to the Computer Animation Festival; each year we're honored by the amazing number of high-quality entries and every year the show grows. This year we're screening 10% more content; as the quality continues to improve it becomes increasingly difficult to select the best of the best."

Attendees Experience New Technologies at the SIGGRAPH 2013 Studio

Studio sessions at SIGGRAPH 2013 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California, offer a collaborative working environment and  give attendees a chance to come together to learn, experiment, and create.  Attendees can try out a wide range of new techniques and media in 3D printing, modeling, mobile devices, and animation software and get help from experienced hands.

“Studio is a stand-out program at SIGGRAPH year after year,” said Patricia Clark, SIGGRAPH 2013 Studio Chair from Arizona State University. “It’s an adult technology playground.  It’s more than just seeing the new technology and what it can produce, but attendees also have the chance to collaborate and work side-by-side with experienced professionals that they may not have ever had the chance to meet before.”

Below are a few highlights of each facet of SIGGRAPH 2013’s robust Studio sessions.

Studio Talks
Attendees get a behind-the-scenes look at Studio-related technologies, artwork, and concepts and have the chance to discuss the technologies with the presenters. Attendees can choose from a sampling of the offerings below or view the full list of Studio Talks here. 

Playing Audrey II: Creating a Digital Actor Through Game Technology
Monica Evans and Kathryn Evans, The University of Texas at Dallas

This talk discusses how a team of faculty and students used digital game technology, motion capture, and facial animation to create a fully realized digital actor (the man-eating plant Audrey II from the musical “Little Shop of Horrors”) that performed on-stage with live actors in November 2012.

The Bleeding Edge of 3D Printing and Digital Fabrication
Daniel Collins and Don Vance, Arizona State University; Robert Michael Smith, New York Institute of Technology; John William Penn, JWP Design

This presentation provides an overview of new directions in 3D printing and digital fabrication. It includes short video clips of a variety of different systems.

Red Ball - Performing With iPads
Marla Schweppe, Rochester Institute of Technology; Darren Stevenson, PUSH Physical Theatre

PUSH Physical Theatre, a Rochester-based group, added iPads to their traditional tools of magic, mime, and movement in the performance of Red Ball. They added five iPads to the mix, performing with graphics created by Marla Schweppe.

Studio Workshops
Attendees engage a series of in-depth, intimate workshops, taught by the best in the industry. Attendee highlights include the following, or see the full list of Studio Workshops here.

Make Mobile Apps Quickly
Gil Irizarry, Conoa, Inc.

Using a variety of free open-source tools, build mobile apps quickly and easily.

3D Scanning and Fine Tooning With FaceGen
Ketrina Yim, PhaseSpace, Inc.

Using high-resolution video capture and software from FaceGen, Autodesk MotionBuilder, and other vendors, Ketrina Yim works with attendees to create 3D characters from their own faces and animate them in real time with live expressions by building a facial rig inside MotionBuilder.

3D Data Capture
Daniel Collins, Aubrey Wigner, and Joseph Hudy,  Arizona State University; Dan Gustafson, NextEngine, Inc.; Denise Grauzinis-Bartels, 4D Dynamics Bvba; Chris Lane, 3dMD

A hands-on demonstration of the various 3D data capture devices in Studio 3D.

Studio Projects
Attendees get hands on experience with the following technologies.  See the full list of Studio Projects here.

Air Painting & More: Revolutionary New Ways to Paint!
Jeremy Sutton, Sutton Studios & Gallery

Experience air painting with the Leap Motion Controller and Corel Painter Freestyle, an exciting new digital-painting paradigm in which you control your brush strokes through finger movements in the air, plus the latest in photo painting with Corel Painter and painting on the iPad.

CUMOS+: Cubic Kaleidoscope Workshop
Minori Yamazaki, Keisuke Shuto,Junichi Kanebako, and Hiroko Uchiyama, Joshibi University of Art and Design

In this workshop for producing cubic kaleidoscopes, attendees draw pictures on a computer and use a cutting plotter to cut them into polycarbonate mirrors. Then they incorporate colorful light into the interior of the cubic kaleidoscope, using color-seal film and permanent-marker pens.

Pi Drums
Barry Moon, Hilary Harp, and Byron Lahey, Arizona State University; Miller Puckette, University of California, San Diego

PI Drums are ordinary drums transformed into programmable electronic instruments. Program your own interactive musical interfaces using the Pure Data graphical programming environment and Raspberry PI computers.

Romibo Robot Project
Aubrey Shick, Carnegie Mellon University

Social robot therapy is known to benefit individuals with autism, traumatic brain injury, dementia, and other social and emotional disabilities. The Romibo mobile robot allows attendees to enjoy participating in the evolution and development of this technology by contributing personal experiences and expertise through clever hacks.

Interactive Card-Weaving Design and Construction Yuki Igarashi
Jun Mitani, University of Tsukuba

An interactive system to assist design of original weaving patterns and their construction. Users can design the color of each warp yarn, the direction of four yarns passing through each card, and the direction and number of rotations of the cards.

You Are Going Where?

Many who are on the outside of SIGGRAPH 2013 looking in may now be asking you the question, "Where are you going for the next week?"  Well, here's a simple landing page you can send them with the following text:

"I'm going to a convergence place where some of the most brilliant and thought-provoking minds on this planet come together for five days of mind-blowing sessions, events, and activities.  It's basically a year squeezed into less than a week.  And, oh yeah, by the way, they actually make insanely brilliant, delightful, incredible content like this:"

Now, they still may not totally understand where you are going, but they will be jealous.  For those that are SIGGRAPH veterans: safe travels, sleep on the plane, and see you soon.  For those that are coming and are new to SIGGRAPH, be sure to attend this or stop by the SIGGRAPH 2014 booth for advice or ask a student volunteer (look for the "Ask Me" button).

SIGGRAPH 2013 Exhibits Fast Forward Provides Quick Summary of Show Floor

Come to the Exhibits Fast Forward to hear from exhibitors before the show floor even opens.

SIGGRAPH 2013 (21-25 July) at the Anaheim Convention Center in California will feature a new session: Exhibits Fast Forward, where attendees have the opportunity to hear a one-minute highlight of what is new from participating exhibitors.

“This diverse session gives attendees a taste of the Exhibit floor in a very condensed format,” said Mk Haley, SIGGRAPH 2013 Conference Chair from Disney Research. “Even though this is the first year for this event, we anticipate this becoming a favorite, just like Technical Papers Fast Forward. It is a very efficient and entertaining way to hear the latest and greatest from a variety of exhibitors. ”

Based off of the perennially popular Technical Papers Fast Forward, Exhibits Fast Forward gives presenters less than a minute to impress the crowd with their product or service and entice them to hear the complete story at the exhibitor booth later in the week. Attendees can expect entertaining and enlightening presentations from many exhibitors including:

• Mcor technologies
• zSpace, Inc. 
• Avere Systems 
• Prefixa International INC 
• French Pavilion by Cap Digital  and Imaginove
• Lightcraft Technology 
• ForgeFX 
• Vancouver Film School 
• Esri 
• Kobold Charakteranimation 
• ARM 
• Korea Creative Content Agency 
• Siliconarts, Inc. 
• Bleank 
• Vicon Motion Systems
• BZP PRO 
• The CGAL Project
• WorldViz 
• SpeedTree - Interactive Data Visualization, Inc.  
• Qt by Digia  
• Integrated Media Technology Inc. 
• Leopoly  - Leonar3Do International Zrt. 
• Lightwork Design Ltd  
• AMD 
• CADA
• Faceware Technologies 
• Reallusion, Inc. 
• GreenButton Ltd.
• Beijing Noitom Technology Ltd
• Dimensional Imaging Ltd
• Christie Digital Systems
• British Columbia Ministry of International Trade 

The session will take place on Monday, 22 July starting at 3:45pm in Ballroom AB and is open to full conference, select conference, exhibitors, exhibits plus, and exhibits-only badge holders.  Check back to this page for exhibitor updates to this list.  And for those attendees only at SIGGRAPH for Sunday and Monday, this just might be a "must attend" event, so get there early.

SIGGRAPH 2013 Announces Evening Experiences

A typical SIGGRAPH conference day never ends at 5pm. Anaheim at dusk pictured above.

So..... planning to rest in the evening after a mad day of SIGGRAPH-awesomeness?  Not bloody likely!  SIGGRAPH has expanded its evening offerings to keep your conference value growing and pack even more into an already incredible experience.

Announcing the SIGGRAPH Evening Experiences for 2013:

Technical Papers Fast Forward
Sunday, 21 July, 6-8 pm, Hall A
 #siggraph #techpapers

Entertaining 30-second summaries of the world’s most advanced research in computer graphics and interactive techniques, including super-realistic depictions of complex phenomena, futuristic 3D printing technologies, and real-time navigation of medical and scientific data. Authors entice attendees to hear their complete paper presentations later in the week.

Registration Level:
F Full Conference
S Select Conference

Computer Animation Festival
Monday, 22 July-Wednesday, 24 July, 6-8 pm, Arena
Thursday, 25 July, 10:45 pm-12:30 am, Arena
#siggraph #caf

An eclectic mix of this year’s finest achievements in animation, visual effects, and visualization. The Computer Animation Festival is recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a qualifying festival. Since 1999, several works originally presented in the Computer Animation Festival have been nominated for or have received a “Best Animated Short” Academy Award.

Registration Level:
F Full Conference
S Select Conference

Real-Time Live!
Tuesday, 23 July, 5:30-7 pm, Hall A
#siggraph #realtime

Powerful demos of extremely complex, interactive, real-time sequences from games and scientific visualizations, created by Beautypi; Epic Games, Inc.; NVIDIA Corporation; Square Enix Co., Ltd; Unity Technologies, and others. Each demo is presented live on a computer or game console by the artists, engineers, designers, and technical directors who developed the project.

Registration Level:
F Full Conference
S Select Conference

Dailies
Wednesday, 24 July, 6-8 pm, Room 304 A-D
#siggraph #dailies

Animators share their recent achievements, frustrations, creative breakthroughs, and technical solutions in an evening of 45 fascinating, 90-second, behind-the-scene stories about the production process at major studios (including Blizzard Entertainment, DreamWorks Animation, Naughty Dog Inc., Pixar Animation Studios, Tippett Studio) and academic labs.

Registration Level:
F Full Conference
S Select Conference

SPECIAL EVENTS:


Characterized@SIGGRAPH
Tuesday, 23 July, 8-10 pm, Hall A

Cut&Paste brings the CHARACTERIZED Tour to SIGGRAPH 2013. Presented by HP, CHARACTERIZED @ SIGGRAPH is a design competition focused on character creation, technique, and intent. Three teams throw down in rapid, live onstage rounds, revealing their digital design process and original character artistry. It's a dynamic mashup of character designers in Cut&Paste's experimental team format.

Registration Level:
F Full Conference
S Select Conference
E+ Exhibits Plus

SIGGRAPH After Dark
Wednesday, 24 July, 8-12:30 am, Grand Plaza

Famous movies in the Grand Plaza at SIGGRAPH? Fabulous idea!

Two blockbuster films, "Toy Story" and "Jurassic Park", in an after-dark film show on a giant outdoor screen is a great way to end your day at SIGGRAPH 2013. Visual treats, audience participation, and good conversation with friends old and new.

Open to All

SIGGRAPH Mobile App & Scheduler Now Available

Maximize and customize your experience at SIGGRAPH 2013 with our mobile app and scheduler. Personalize your schedule, connect with other attendees, find exhibitors, investigate job fair participants, and more!  Use your phone, tablet, or internet browser to:

• See other attendees who are coming to SIGGRAPH 2013.
• Review the agenda and speakers, and create a personalized schedule.
• Connect with other attendees by sending messages and setting up 1-on-1 meetings (while keeping your email private).
• Find exhibitors and review their profiles before you even get onsite.
• Provide feedback for each session you attend.

"It is great to offer a platform that should absolutely enhance the SIGGRAPH experience from both a networking and planning perspective," said Mk Haley, SIGGRAPH 2013 Conference Chair from Disney Research. "We listened intently to our audience's wishes for a platform of this nature and we are excited to have delivered this customized version in time for the 2013 conference."

Shortly after you register for SIGGRAPH 2013, an account to access all of the features of the mobile app will be created for you.  You will then receive an email with a link to activate your account. Or, click here and go to "Log In". To set up a personalized account, use your Registration ID as your username and your last name plus “2013” as your password:

Username: Registration ID
Password:  LastName2013 (all lowercase)

Why create an account? To personalize your event schedule, request meetings with others, access real-time event information, and more!

Please note that the App system may not recognize you immediately after registering for SIGGRAPH due to the time required to transfer your data. For assistance with the app, contact support@zerista.com

Also after the conference ends, be sure to complete the post-conference survey with any suggestions that you have for next year's SIGGRAPH mobile app and scheduler.

SIGGRAPH Conference Chair Offers Her Top 10 Tips for Tackling SIGGRAPH

The Anaheim Convention Center at dusk.

Mk Haley - SIGGRAPH 2013 Conference Chair

New to SIGGRAPH or just need a refresher on how to best go about tackling the enormous breadth of the SIGGRAPH experience?  Read Mk Haley’s pointers on how to go about getting the most out of your conference experience.  She is after all an expert …  this will be her 25th SIGGRAPH.

1. Plan ahead – use the Schedule at a Glance page to help try and prioritize your days in Anaheim.
2. Try to stay for more than a day – otherwise, trying to pack in the full SIGGRAPH experience in just one day can be maddening.
3. Don’t be shy – one of SIGGRAPH’s huge strengths is its welcoming and friendly people.  You meet people at SIGGRAPH that literally will change your life.
4. If you are completely new to SIGGRAPH be sure to attend the first-time attendee Birds of a Feather Session: Ready, Steady, SIGGRAPH!, Sunday, 21 July 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM, Anaheim Convention Center - Room 201 C
5. If you really, really, really want to get into a session, GET THERE EARLY.  Due to fire codes we are only permitted to allow a certain number of bodies in every room, so if you arrive only a few minutes early, you may not get in.
6. When in doubt, ask a volunteer.  You can always find volunteers around the SIGGRAPH 2014 booth that are anxious and eager to help out.  Pop by the booth for advice or just to chat about your favorite SIGGRAPH experiences.  Or you will find our wonderful student volunteers spread throughout the convention center.  They will all be wearing red t-shirts with “Ask Me” buttons on them.
7. Explore SIGGRAPH People - Add yourself to the gallery of SIGGRAPH People and browse and discover other SIGGRAPH attendees who will be in Anaheim.
8. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light jacket and a hunger for everything that is awesome.
9. Collaborate with other attendees – whether that is in the Studio, at networking events, or anywhere else that people gather together during the week.
10. Get the new SIGGRAPH App to help you maximize your time onsite – it includes session feedback features, schedules, maps, exhibitor info, and an ability to connect with other attendees. Only registered attendees get full access to the content, scheduling and networking features of the app. Over the next few days, registered attendees should receive an e-mail message with a unique url to set up their profiles and begin using the app.  Questions about the app can be directed to the app provider, Zerista via email: support@zerista.com

SIGGRAPH 2013 Unveils Computer Animation Festival Preview Video

The Computer Animation Festival, celebrating its 40th year, just released a sneak peak into the amazing content that will be present this year in Anaheim. The Festival is recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a qualifying festival. Since 1999, several works originally presented in the Computer Animation Festival have been nominated for or have received a "Best Animated Short" Academy Award. This year’s selections will be featured during the Computer Animation Festival through a series of daily Festival Screenings and the iconic Electronic Theater, allowing attendees to get a glimpse behind the making of computer-generated effects, visualizations, and animations.

“Every piece in the festival has something that made it stand out from the 40 hours of content submitted for this year’s show,” says Jason RM Smith, SIGGRAPH 2013 Computer Animation Festival Chair. “There's no other venue in the world comparable to the Computer Animation Festival; each year we're honored by the amazing number of high-quality entries and every year the show grows. This year we're screening 10% more content; as the quality continues to improve it becomes increasingly difficult to select the best of the best."

For more details on the program, click here.

Updated Real-Time Live! Preview Video Released

The preview video for the SIGGRAPH Real-Time Live! content was just released and is available above.  The program is the premier showcase for the latest trends and techniques for pushing the boundaries of interactive visuals. As part of the Computer Animation Festival, an international jury selects submissions from a diverse array of industries to create a fast-paced, 90-minute show of cutting-edge, aesthetically stimulating real-time work.

"Celebrating its 5th Anniversary, Real-Time Live! 2013 is a can't miss, one night only event at SIGGRAPH," said Abe Wiley, Real-Time Live! Chair from AMD. "This year's show is as diverse as ever and attendees will have their minds blown by live, interactive demonstrations of  the latest advancements in photorealistic facial animation, medical visualization, crowd simulation, hair rendering, massive destruction, real-time cinematics, and more!"

Each live presentation lasts less than 10 minutes, and is presented by the artists and engineers who produced the work.

For even more details, click here.

SIGGRAPH 2012 Exhibition Numbers Surging

Following is a brief Q&A with SIGGRAPH's Exhibition Management team in regards to the SIGGRAPH 2012 Exhibition and what attendees can expect.

The SIGGRAPH Exhibition is always an energetic marketplace for the latest technology.

How are numbers compared to previous years? 

We are seeing growth throughout the entire exhibition in all sectors. Long-time exhibitors are taking larger exhibit space and new exhibitors are flocking to LA to show off their latest offerings. Exhibit space is up over 12% compared to 2011 and we continue to ride the wave of excitement from the success of SIGGRAPH 2011 in Vancouver.

What are some things you see as creating the biggest buzz at this year's Exhibition? 

3D technology breakthroughs offering new tools that are easy to interact with and work on various platforms (film editing and effects, construction, medical, etc.).  This is further evidence that SIGGRAPH is much more than just a computer graphics show. We are seeing an increase in simulation and interactive experiences. Gesture recognition and mobile-enabled software is also hot. 

Is it too late to purchase booth space? 
No, the floor plan is tight, but we can definitely get a few more companies on to the exhibit floor.

Which companies are new this year?
Approximately 25% of our companies are first-timers. This is the similar as to what we saw in 2011, which is great because in 2009 and 2010 only 10% of the exhibitors were new. 

What is the international country breakdown? 
We have 19 different countries represented with 37% of our companies coming from outside of North America.

Who has the biggest booth this year? 
Right now it is Autodesk

What is the history behind the playing of "Amazing Grace" at the end of each SIGGRAPH Exhibition?
When the industry was just beginning Hewlett-Packard began playing the song in the early 80’s from their booth. Exhibitor staff from around the floor and attendees would gather at the booth at the close of the Exhibition and hug and say their goodbyes while the song was playing. In the mid-90’s, Hewlett-Packard stopped bringing a sound system that was able to reach the entire Exhibition floor, so it was decided that the song would be played throughout the Exhibition over the speakers in the hall.


What advice do you have to attendees when hitting the Exhibition? 
Give yourself plenty of time to see the Exhibition and speak with the exhibitor staff and ask them what is new and different. There are so many new products that exhibitors bring – don’t miss the opportunity to discover the latest advancements and bring that knowledge back to share with your colleagues.

Q&A with SIGGRAPH 2012 Studio Chair Makai Smith

Following is a brief conversation with Makai Smith, SIGGRAPH 2012 Studio Chair from Bentley Systems. In 2001, Smith received a Master of Architecture from Arizona State University and previously served as the SIGGRAPH Design & Computation Chair amongst other volunteer positions.

Makai Smith, SIGGRAPH 2012 Studio Chair

What can attendees expect from the Studio experience this year and how will it be the same/different than last year?

The hands-on environment and creative spirit of the Studio endures.  Each year we build on what works at the Studio, so attendees will find a full range of creative technologies accompanied by a talented staff of experts who are eager to help.  The Studio also has a full schedule of Talks, Workshops, and Projects.  In recent years, the Talks and Workshops have grown, and we are getting almost all of the Studio content via peer reviewed entries to the SIGGRAPH call for submissions.

What is the difference between a Studio Workshop, Talk, or Project?

Studio Workshops are held in a classroom setting and run as a tutorial where the participants each sit at a computer and follow a lesson.  Seating is limited and first-come, first served.  Some of the talks will be given by artists showing in the SIGGRAPH Art Gallery who will give instruction on techniques central to their work.

Studio Talks are the same format as Talks found elsewhere at SIGGRAPH: a session of a few talks arranged around a theme.  What makes them Studio talks is that they focus on creative practice or techniques. 

Studio Projects are collaborative, participatory, hands-on, creative activities.  You can make something to take home. Both Talks and Workshops follow a published schedule.  Studio projects run continuously throughout the conference.

For someone new to the "SIGGRAPH experience", what is your advice for how they should experience the Studio?

The Studio has many creative projects – from DIY electronics to motion capture to 3D printing.  There is such a range: the best way to engage the Studio is to find something that interests you and ask, “What can I make?”  Roll up your shirt sleeves, get some guidance from the Studio’s skilled staff, and create something.

How would you describe your experience as Studio Chair versus when you served as the Design & Computation Chair?

The contrast is that of breadth versus depth.  The Studio is broad-based creative environment that encompasses Studio practice in many forms, whereas the Design & Computation Gallery was focused on a theme and contained finished works.  In the Design Gallery it was a test of curatorial skill to gather together a body of work that explored my interest in generative design and digital fabrication.  So many creative disciplines use computer graphics and work in a place they call a Studio: art, architecture, sculpture, jewelry, animation, games, dance, and music are just some of them.  As Studio Chair my challenge is to cover the range of what a Studio means and make a space for attendees to participate. 

Which Workshops or Talks are you looking forward to the most?

Because of my architecture and fabrication background, I’m looking forward to the Studio Talks session titled “Digifab” which will present cutting edge digital fabrication techniques and case studies on Tuesday afternoon.  There’s also the “Grooving” Studio Talks which will showcase music performance systems – it will be preceded on Monday morning by a live demo in the “Jamming” session.

The “Signal Strength” workshop on Tuesday afternoon is an overview of open-source radio communication and mesh networks.  Beyond the technical aspect, this project is fascinating to me because of its radical social implications.  The Studio will have sample devices for people to come in and use. The Studio has selected talks that cover the gamut, so we hope all attendees will find something that interests them.

How did you initially get involved as a SIGGRAPH volunteer and what motivates you to remain involved?

In 2000 I was encouraged by friends to become a Student Volunteer while attending Arizona State University because the Studio at SIGGRAPH had 3D printing and scanning technologies like I was using in my architectural studies.  Other than once, I’ve been a volunteering every year since then!  I keep coming back because SIGGRAPH brings together a unique and amazing group of people with so much to teach.  There is no other way I can stay on top of so many different facets of computer graphics.

Describe one of your more current interesting projects at Bentley Systems?

I’m currently working on the application of multi-disciplinary optimization (often called MDO) to architecture design.  This will use GenerativeComponents software as a MDO platform to bring together the analysis of a building’s structure, energy use, and other feedback to assist users in creating the most optimal solution to complex problems.  What we are able to build and its effects on our environment is ultimately a product of the decisions we make when designing.  That’s why computer aided design has moved beyond just “making drawings” to become a decision support system which aids human intellect.

If you could have dinner with any architect (living or dead) who would that be and why?

Brunelleschi's famous dome.

Filippo Brunelleschi, a Florentine architect of the early Italian Renaissance, fascinates me.  He is one of the inventors of perspective in visual representation.  With the introduction of computer modeling to architecture, we have crossed another “perspectival moment” in which fundamental representation of a discipline changes.  What did great artistic and technical change look like to him?  Brunelleschi was also a talented builder who mastered both architecture and engineering in his construction Il Duomo, the dome of the cathedral in Florence.  He, like Leonardo, exemplifies the mind of a polymath: bringing together art and science.

SIGGRAPH Business Symposium Presents Leaders and Visionaries to Address Industry Direction

Featured Speaker Carl Rosendahl

In its second year, the SIGGRAPH Business Symposium provides an intimate, interactive forum for open, frank conversations among leaders and executives in the visual effects, gaming, and media arena as they explore the present and future of the industry. SIGGRAPH 2012 welcomes visionary leaders and experts from a broad spectrum of the computer graphics industry, including animation, education, motion pictures, gaming, and visual effects, to this year’s Business Symposium in Los Angeles, 5 August 2012.

This full-day event is an exclusive opportunity for attendees to gain high-level, experiential vantage point insight from the producers and executives who have all forged unique paths to their current roles and now design the industry’s direction. The day begins with breakfast and roundtable discussions of the day's agenda. Possible topics include visual-effects production, marketing, international law, education, business development, and other areas related to the industry's current issues. The morning session provides a foundation for the day – an opportunity to hear from leaders on the global stage what they experience from their particular perspective, followed by featured speakers Carl Rosendahl and John Textor, both visionary leaders who influence the direction of our industry in vastly different manners.

Featured Speaker John Textor

Throughout the day attendees will join in-depth discussion and have ample time to interact with their peers before the afternoon session closes. The Symposium provides a look into newer business models from some of the people and companies defining the future.

Registration for the SIGGRAPH Business Symposium is now available. Attendance for this event is intended to accommodate approximately 200 people interested in, and committed to, defining the industry.

The SIGGRAPH Business Symposium sold out in its inaugural year in 2011. For more details, visit the SIGGRAPH 2012 web site.

Planned participants include:

Featured Speakers

• Carl Rosendahl, Founder Pacific Data Images, Venture Capitalist, Co-Director, Carnegie Mellon University's Entertainment Technology Center-Silicon Valley

• John Textor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Digital Domain Media Group

Morning Session: The Business of the Business: The State of the Union in 2011-2012

• Will Cohen, Managing Director/Executive Producer for Mill Film and Mill TV

• Patrick Davenport, Vice President Creative Operations, Method Studios
• Mark Driscoll, President, Executive Producer and Co-Founder, Look Effects Inc.
• Hael Kobayashi, Executive Director, Creative Innovation, University of Technology Sydney
• Lee Berger, President, Rhythm & Hues' Film Division and CEO, East Grand Films
• Habib Zargarpour, Creative Director, Microsoft Studios

Afternoon Session: Show Me the Money!

• Jonathan Garson, Vice President, Worldwide Marketing & Franchise, Pixar Animation Studios
• Shannon Blake Gans, Co-Founder and CEO, New Deal Studios
• Ondraus Jenkins, Head of Strategy and Corporate Development, Bungie, Inc.
• Sara Cardone, Vice President, Global Strategy and Business Development, SDI Media
• Sanford Rosenberg, Managing Director, Discus Ventures
• Gregg Lukomski, CEO and Founder, Slide Rule, Inc.

Round-table Discussions

• Don McGowan, General Counsel, The Pokémon Company International
• Gregg Lukomski, CEO and Founder, SlideRule, Inc
• Shannon Blake Gans, Co-founder and CEO, New Deal Studios
• Hael Kobayashi, Executive Director, Creative Innovation, University of Technology Sydney
• Jonathan Garson, Vice President, Worldwide Marketing & Franchise, Pixar Animation Studios
• Patrick Davenport, Vice President Creative Operations, Method Studios

Moderator for the Day

• Don McGowan, General Counsel, The Pokémon Company International