Final Submissions

Deadline: May 22nd, 2004 - Recieved

Visuals must be in dome original format as a Targa image sequence. Resolution may be between 2048 x 2048 and 3600 x 3600 with 24-bit color (no alpha channel.) Use multiples of 16 in defining resolution. The premier and most other screening theaters will be high-definition format, meaning that the 3600 size will be fully utilized. Rendering to lower resolutions should be considered from time/resource limitations as well as design needs—soft fuzzy things may not benefit from the enhanced resolution while sharp-edged high contrast visuals may require every possible pixel.

Files should be clearly named and use a five-digit sequence numbering system. EG: myshow_#####.tga

The credits segment should be included as a separate directory using the same format. Naming should be consistent. EG: myshow_credits_#####.tga

The submission should include a ‘read me’ directory with any special needs or requests. The submission should also include a reference image demonstrating proper orientation of the final piece. That is, a key frame should be annotated with the image’s position on the dome (front, back, left and right)—just to ensure proper installation.

Frame rate is 29.97—non-drop.

Audio may be submitted as an AC3 file or as discrete WAV files for stereo or 5.1 with the channels clearly labeled with show name and channel ID. Resolution may be 16 or 24-bit for WAV files. Again the frame rate is 29.97 non-drop.

Audio should be included only for the main body of the submission (not the credit reel at end.) You may include up to 10 seconds of ‘bumper’ on the front and/or end of the submission for use in mixing—but you must provide perfectly clear instruction on synching the audio to the visuals.

LodeStar will make every effort to ensure screening of all final submissions, but is not responsible for any technical difficulties which make screening unfeasible.

Hard drives will be returned within 30 days of the premier. Please include a paid return postage/shipping label with your submission.

The LodeStar Toolkit

Please see the ‘how to’ manual for the basics on producing for the dome. You’ll find simple information on dome orientation, file formatting, nomenclatures, etc. It’s not written as a design workbook (that’s coming next year) but as a primer on the production steps. (We use it to orient students and others to the dome.)

For more on the heady side, see the links sheet for more information on composing and rendering for the dome. Ben Shedd’s work is highly recommended and has proved very successful in orienting and training LodeStar creators (best done with a visit by Ben to the dome.)

The kit also includes camera rigs, generously provided by Hue Walker. You’ll find downloadable five-camera rigs (hemicubic environment) for Maya™ and AfterEffects™ These rigs will render panels and require stitching. If you need a stitching program, get the Glom freeware provided by Spitz Inc. at http://extranet.spitzinc.com/.

For final stitching, Sky-Skan has generously offered an unsupported copy of its SkyStitcher™ software. Finalists will be informed on how to acquire the software after jurying.

You’ll also find a new reflection sphere rig for Maya™ that Hue recently developed. It’s not addressed in the ‘how to’ manual but have a look if you’re interested in avoiding the stitching process and find the rendering results to your liking. There’s one version which crops for the springline and another version that doesn’t. Use whichever and at your own peril. We’d greatly appreciate any comments or suggestions on this experimental rig.

Finally, if you have writings, processes, tricks, rigs, et cetera you’d like to share with fellow DomeFesters and the fulldome community, please contact David Beining and he’ll get the files up on this site.

You can download the Tool Kit by clicking here => Tool Kit

Creating Animations for Sky Vision (pdf 521kb)

Fulldome Animation Tips (rtf 862kb)