Sowing Seeds

Giant of the 3D world Alias has teemed up with HP to put some money behind the development of animation and design talent in the UK under the SE3D (seed) banner. The two companies, along with South West-based arts centre Watershed, are offering ten groups of animators free access to the Bristol-based HP Labs experimental Maya rendering service in order to produce a 3D short which will eventually be shown at the Animation Encounters festival next April.

The HP Labs rendering service has been developed by HP Labs in Bristol and California and promises to offer participating animators massive processor-powered rendering and sophisticated special effects.

Drawing upon the power of hundreds of processors in HP Labs, Participants are able to utilise computing power beyond the means of many small companies. This ‘Utility computing’ model enables them to rent the service they need on-demand and pay only for what they use.

Mark Cass Entertainment Business Manager at Alias UK says SE3D will provide UK animators with a “fascinating insight into the future of animation production.”