Village Gamer

Nitobi open sources Complete UI, its popular suite of Ajax-powered user interface components that significantly improve user experiences for any web application

Vancouver – Nitobi Inc. announces today that Complete UI–its popular suite of Ajax-powered user interface components–is now available for free. The open source version of Complete UI can be used without charge according to the General Public License (GPL), Version 3 license agreement. Complete UI, including client side JavaScript code as well as the server code for Classic ASP, PHP and Cold Fusion, is publicly available on Google Code and Git Hub. Complete UI is also available for download.

Complete UI is a suite of Ajax-powered components that significantly improve user experiences for any web application. Complete UI is designed to help developers build great user experiences on the web. Powered by Ajax, Complete UI off-the-shelf components save developers the time and effort of building their own UI interactions from scratch. Nitobi components have been popular with Ajax developers since Nitobi Grid and ComboBox first launched in 2005.

“Nitobi’s Complete UI is a powerful set of components,” said Michael Lekse, Vice President of Sales and Services at WebAssist.

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Toronto – Growing a digital business during a recession and debating the future of New Media in Canada are among the themes that will be examined by industry leaders at this month’s digital media conference, IN: The Interactive Exchange (IN09), taking place March 17-19 in Toronto.

The multi-stream conference will open with a keynote presentation by Futurist Christian Crews, Principal, andSpace Labs. Crews helps clients create sustainable competitive advantage in highly uncertain environments. Prior to andSpace Labs, Crews was Director of Futures Strategy, Director of Growth Strategies, and Director of Corporate Strategy at Pitney Bowes Inc (NYC).

IN09 will feature two interactive debates on the future of interactive media in Canada with panels that include Richard Stursburg, executive vice-president English services for CBC, journalist and blogger, Ivor Tossell, and entrepreneur Jeremy Wright, CEO, B5 Media. As traditional broadcasters reel from the downturn in advertising revenue, the CRTC is re-visiting regulation of New Media – a sector that continues to grow despite the global recession. Discussion will touch upon new media broadcasting, net neutrality and strategies key to creating globally competitive companies in the digital media space.

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Okino Ships new Solid Edge Synchronous Technology CAD Importer for 3ds Max®, Maya®, Lightwave®, Cinema-4D®, XSI® & All Major Downstream 3D File Formats

Toronto – Okino Computer Graphics has announced that it is now shipping its newly rewritten Solid Edge CAD conversion system, compatible with the ground breaking Solid Edge Synchronous Technology modeling software which is taking the CAD world by storm in 2008 and 2009. The conversion pipeline allows native Solid Edge assembly, part, weldment and sheet metal files to be converted to all major animation + authoring packages, 3D downstream file formats and VisSim programs. Okino is one of the longest standing Solid Edge solution partner developers, providing excellent and well refined 3D data translation solutions for Solid Edge users and independent users of Solid Edge data.

Okino’s NuGraf and PolyTrans software imports crack-free geometry, hierarchy and materials (assembly data) from native disk-based Solid Edge files or from a running copy of Solid Edge, and subsequently provides high-end rendering, viewing and scene composition of the data, or have the data optimized and then pipelined into all major 3D file formats, animation packages and third party/OEM integrations. Most importantly, Solid Edge assemblies, parts, weldment and sheet metal files can be effortlessly and directly imported into all key animation systems such as 3ds Max, Maya, Softimage|XSI, Cinema-4D and Lightwave, as well as any third party product which integrates Okino’s PolyTrans 3D converters and all major downstream file formats ranging from COLLADA to DWF-3D to SketchUp and dozens more. A resident copy of the Solid Edge software is not required, but having it installed on the same machine as the Okino conversion software will provide extended control and options over the process.

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Burnaby – Acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz has captured unforgettable portraits of some of the world’s most well-known personalities, from Mikhail Baryshnikov and Brad Pitt to U.S. President Barack Obama. Premiering on Thursday, April 16 at 10 p.m., the illuminating biography Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens is showcased on Knowledge Network’s newest themed timeslot, “Aperture”. Airing every Thursday at 10 p.m., “Aperture” is a meditation on the compelling power of photography as an art form, and the emotionally-moving views of life – and death – as seen though the camera lens.

Through her work for Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair and Vogue, Annie Leibovitz has produced some of the most iconic images of the last 30 years. While masterful at exposing her photographic subjects, Annie’s own life has been fiercely guarded. In Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens, Annie’s younger sibling, Barbara Leibovitz, turns the camera on her sister. Annie lays bare her artistic process, bringing viewers into her personal journey and the delicate balance she maintains between fame and family. This portrait is an intimate and inspiring look at a woman who has become as iconic as the people she photographs.

The work of another of the world’s pre-eminent photographers is explored on “Aperture” when What Remains premieres on Thursday, April 23 at 10 p.m. Sally Mann is renowned for creating extraordinary artwork that challenges viewers’ values and moral attitudes. She first came to international prominence in 1992 when her enigmatic and provocative photos of her own young children sparked controversy. What Remains examines Mann’s new seminal work: a series of photographs revolving around various aspects of death and decay. As Mann reflects on her own feelings toward death, she continues to examine the boundaries of contemporary photography. Spanning five years and featuring unbridled access to the many stages of her work, this documentary chronicles Mann’s artistic process, providing a rare glimpse of an eloquent and brilliant artist.

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The Art Institute of Vancouver will be delivering its creative courses from a brand new location as of Summer 2009

Vancouver – The new campus will be conveniently located at the base of the Renfrew Skytrain station, at the corner of Renfrew Street and East 12th Avenue in Vancouver. The purpose built 80,000 square foot campus will feature two floors of classrooms and studios, allowing for increased space for students to create, design, and network, as well as expanded access to parking.

The Art Institute of Vancouver’s West Georgia and Dunsmuir Street campuses will relocate in 2009, to be joined by the Burnaby campus in 2010. The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Vancouver, along with the Culinaria Restaurant, will remain at its present location in the Canaccord Tower, on Granville Street in downtown Vancouver.

“We believe that our new custom built campus will benefit all students and staff, with its accessible location and modern facilities,” said Tom Kim, President of The Art Institute of Vancouver.

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Vancouver-based Genius Factor Games has announced their first video game release for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. The company has also launched a new corporate Web site and a gaming industry blog.Genius Factor’s first title will be available on iTunes and the Apple App Store this spring. “It’s a fun puzzle game with a unique twist only possible on the iPhone and iPod Touch” indicates Cory Yip, Creative Director. “These mobile devices make great gaming platforms, which really surprises some people” he adds.

“In light of recent news for our industry, with serious layoffs, delays, and cutbacks at several major studios, some people wonder why we have chosen to launch now,” says Genius Factor’s president, Ted Nugent. We’re a small and nimble group, allowing us to react quickly to obstacles and opportunities in these challenging times. More importantly, however, we saw a real gap in the market for engaging, professionally-built casual games.”

The Genius Factor Games team is composed of industry veterans from some of the top studios in Vancouver and California. “That’s another reason we’re excited to launch the company at this time,” Nugent says. “The talent pool right now is incredible. Here we have people who revolutionized some of the most popular video games of the last two decades working side by side, pioneering a whole new field of casual entertainment.”

A new Web site at www.GeniusFactorGames.com has been launched to support the company and the announcement of their first title. It will feature an industry blog to keep tabs on video games, mobile devices, the game development process, and other news and opinions.

Focusing on a pick up and play, two to five minute gaming experience, Genius Factor plans to release a series of on-the-go titles throughout 2009.

Vancouver – 3vis, in collaboration with Autodesk, Craft Animation and Seven Group are pleased to present “An Evening with Duncan Brinsmead’s Brain” beginning at 6pm on March 3 at The Caprice (967 Granville Street) in Vancouver.

Duncan Brinsmead, who will be accompanying his brain, is the Autodesk Maya principal scientist. Duncan Brinsmead, with support from Louis Marcoux, a Solution Specialist in 3D animation and Visual Effects, will discuss and demonstrate the newest features of Autodesk® Maya®, Autodesk® 3ds Max® (including the new plug?in CAT) and Autodesk® Mudbox™.

3vis, an Autodesk reseller whose head office is in Montreal, recently opened a Vancouver location and will be hosting this free evening to introduce themselves to the local digital media industry.

Microsoft invites IT professionals and software developers to prove their mettle

Ottawa – In an interactive game promoting the benefits of Microsoft certification, the software company asks IT and development professionals to prove their know-how in a series of tech knowledge challenges.

Created by Canadian interactive marketing and branded entertainment developer Fuel Industries, Are You Certifiable? is a Silverlight-based quiz game which will dig deep into the mental resources of technicians and developers alike in the process of determining who can meet and who can fly beyond the rigorous standards of Microsoft Certification. The game is a unique approach which will not only spread awareness of the benefits of MS Certification and the Second Shot promotion, but also provide a valuable primer for professionals interested in taking an exam.

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Toronto – Despite the global economic downturn, new technology and consumer media consumption trends have created a host of employment opportunities in Canada’s publishing industry.

As the Canadian magazine sector rushes to adapt to an online audience, the shift is fueling a need for technology-savvy professionals who can help take the publishing sector into a brave new world, says professor Denise Schon of The Centre for Creative Communications, Centennial College.

“Traditional magazines are quickly evolving into a multi-platform medium including not only print, but online with the advent of web 2.0 technologies and live video streaming,” Schon says. “As such, we are seeing our grads working in a much wider variety of jobs across the magazine industry. Our program prepares students for that new world.”

The Centre for Creative Communications, Centennial College, has been offering its unique Book and Magazine Publishing program, known as a cornerstone of the industry, for more than 30 years. More recently, it responded to publishers’ needs with intensive, new courses in web 2.0 digital media publishing skills.

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Vancouver – The Game Developers Conference Canada® is the premier forum for Canadian developers to share best practices for creating games with long production cycles, large development teams, and multi-platform releases. Unique to GDC Canada, is its focus on production cycle improvements every game professional can make to build innovative and quality games. Collaborate with industry veterans from EA, Propaganda Games, Next Level Games, Radical Entertainment, Relic Entertainment and more.

GDC Canada Featured Sessions

Concept/Preproduction Track Featured Sessions

• Realism in Animation. Misnomer or Oxymoron? – Speaker: Owen Hurley (Relic Entertainment)
• The IP Toolkit: Making Ideas Real – Speaker: Eric Holmes (Radical Entertainment)

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