The OptiTrack Duo and Trio tracking systems offer multi-camera, 6 DOF object tracking in a single, plug-and-play package. Each tracking system is self-contained and factory calibrated, for out of the box motion tracking that is simple to use, but still offers the accuracy and modularity of optical tracking technology. The V120:Trio will be demonstrated at the OptiTrack Game Developers Conference booth from March 2-4, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Both tracking systems are expected to be released in Q2 2011. More at OptiTrack.

Epic Games, the company behind the Unreal Development Kit, raised the royalty threshold for the UDK. Game developers don't have to pay any royalties on a game they sell until they earn at least $50,000. More at the Epic Games forums.

The new training DVD by US character artist Mike Jensen takes you through the process of creating an entire mechanical character, from starting with a concept mesh to creating a clean base mesh and detailing. It also covers how to take the final model into Max and use it along with V-Ray to create materials and render out layer passes. More at Eat3D.com.

Architectural walkthroughs redefined. 3DOn is a mobile application designed for visualizing your building model on-site, as if it were already there. Using your Iphone or Ipad, you can view it from a distance, get up close, walk around it, look upwards, step inside and even admire the view from the windows. See it in relation to existing buildings, check important design features and show it to your clients before construction. More at 3DOn.co.uk.

Check out the great virtual demolition work by Italian VFX artist Alessandro Nardini for the film 2012. Watch it on Vimeo.

Check out the great virtual demolition work by Italian VFX artist Alessandro Nardini for the film 2012. Watch it on Vimeo.

Korean artist and PhD student Hye Yeon Nam has come up with an unusual game controller device. It's first being tested in a bowling game where it controls the direction and speed of the ball while users are kissing. Watch a video and find out more at Hye Yeon Nam's site.

Di-O-Matic announced the release of Maskarad, a stand-alone application that automatically converts the details and nuances of an actor's video into animation data to animate your characters' rigs in your 3D software of choice. Maskarad locates and tracks head motion as well as facial expressions and lip movements. (more...)