| Wavefront Technologies' Dynamation | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Wavefront |
| Initial release | 1992; 34 years ago (1992) |
| Operating system | Silicon Graphics,IRIX, Windows |
| Type | 3D computer graphics |
| License | Proprietary |
Dynamation was a3D computer graphics particle generator program sold byWavefront to run onSGI'sIRIX operating system as part ofThe Advanced Visualizer. The core software was originally developed by Jim Hourihan while at Santa Barbara Studios, a visual effects company owned by effects pioneerJohn Grower. The software was licensed to Wavefront Technologies in 1992, and passed through to the merged company Alias/Wavefront. It was introduced as a product atSIGGRAPH in 1993. In 1996, Jim Hourihan received a Scientific and Engineering Award[1] for the primary design and development of Dynamation.
Dynamation could create behavioralparticle systems that responded to gravity, air resistance, and other real world physics. It gave users an interactive environment to create and modify dynamic events such as water, clouds, rain, fire and dust. The interactive aspect of this software was revolutionary at the time. Users were able to change parameters and the particle system updated in real time.
The software was used to create visual effects in movies such asTwister,[2]Last Action Hero,Balto,Crimson Tide,Heaven's Prisoners,Michael,Moses,Anaconda,Godzilla,Stuart Little, andStarship Troopers. It was also utilized in the opening credits ofStar Trek: Voyager to create an intricate interaction of the starship traveling through cosmic dust.
Dynamation's interactive particle engine has been integrated into the 3D computer graphics packageMaya and is no longer sold as a separate product.
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