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Di-O-Matic announced the release of Facial Studio for Windows. Facial Studio gives users more than 500 controls over the 3d head creation process and supports Kaydara's FBX file format. A 30 days limited trial version is available for download.

According to an article in the latest issue of CGW, Pixar has been using 3ds max and Brazil r/s in the production of their latest Disney/Pixar blockbuster, The Incredibles.  From the article:  "The second unit created 'digimattes' using 3ds max and Brazil," says [Rick] Sayre,[supervising technical director for The Incredibles,]  referring to Discreet's 3D software program and SplutterFish's rendering software. "It was great fun, ... liberating."

This New York Times article (free registration required) looks at Electronic Arts, overworked artists, class-action labor lawsuits, E.A. Spouse, and the never-ending "crunch".  This long-standing industry issue is now getting attention in the main-stream.

Also check out the International Game Developers Association's Quality of Life White Paper.

Todd Sheridan Perry reviews Max 7 for DigitalProducer.com: "Every [new] tool contributes to a more efficient pipeline, which leads to the creation of higher levels of animation in a shorter amount of time."

Andy Murdock has completed the second DVD of his animated creation myth Lots of Robots. As its predecessor, the Lots of Robots Volume 2 DVD will include many 3ds max tutorials. Stay tuned.

HDRI-Studio offers environment maps created using professional studio lighting techniques. Neutral, Gels and Abstract categories are currently available. A set of Automotive environments and backdrops is in the pipeline and will be released soon. Visit HDRI-Studio.com for more.

Or rather lack of it. Following a paper published by the IGDA, the issue of overly stressful working conditions in the video game industry is being brought to the spotlight once again by an anonymous poster going by the nickname ea_spouse. The message has already provoked a huge amount of responses in just a couple of days. Also of note, here are two links showing the effects chronic stress may have on a person's immune system, and why these situations should be avoided: chronic stress affects both mind and body, stress ages immune system. It would be very positive to see some of the guidelines suggested by IGDA's paper implemented.