Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!att!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!apple!vsi1!zorch!xanthian From: xanthian@zorch.SF-Bay.ORG (Kent Paul Dolan) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga Subject: Re: 3D Objects Message-ID: <1990Dec30.160607.21571@zorch.SF-Bay.ORG> Date: 30 Dec 90 16:06:07 GMT References: <6562@crash.cts.com> <4457@vela.acs.oakland.edu> Organization: SF-Bay Public-Access Unix Lines: 35 hastoerm@vela.acs.oakland.edu (Moriland) writes: > seanc@pro-party.cts.com (Sean Cunningham) writes: >! In-Reply-To: message from kcampbel@uafhp.uark.edu >! I don't know if you were implying that the ships from ST-TNG were >! computer generated or not, but that's the way I read it. >! They're not computer generated, they're done "the old fashion way," >! or, miniature photography. >! The first time I saw the show I thought differently, but that's >! because they're using video effects to put the ship in space rather >! than doing it on film...cheaper and faster. > Actually, from what I have read, all the space sequences were computer > generated. According to the mag devoted to ST-TNG at any rate. Strangely enough, both may be true. There is a technology that uses the computer to "fly" the camera around the model or other object being filmed. It was used a lot to make those "streaks of light" flying logos several years back. For each frame, the computer would move the camera back, start moving toward the object (neon light letters were popular), open the shutter a bit before the midpoint, close it a bit after the midpoint (supplying the 'streaks"), stop the camera, back it up, step the midpoint toward the object, and do the next frame. Made some really spectacular ad logos. I suspect the technology is still in use. Similar technology has been used to do some of the space sequences from models, though I have no information on the ones under discussion. Point is, "computer generated" doesn't have to mean raytraced, unless you read more detail. Kent, the man from xanth.