Could Paolo Berto Durante really be Chris, but from another dimension? These outspoken CG enthusiasts have a lot in common: an extensive knowledge of 3D software and render engines stretching back decades, a history in VFX and teaching CG, and strong opinions on the current state of the industry.
Paolo talks about his roles in the research and development of 3D software, starting from Alias|wavefront, to mental images. to Jupiter Jazz, up to his current role at J Cube, their team has developed CG tools for artists such as Multiverse USD, Maneki, and the futuristic WeRender generative service. Paolo also reveals some interesting thoughts on AI and creativity, and discusses how he comes up with new creative and business ideas.
Links:
0:03:31 Introducing Paolo
0:08:41 Getting a role at Alias
0:13:56 Discovering SIGGRAPH
0:19:30 Joining Mental Images
0:23:43 Paolo's job and the Reality Server
0:28:04 The importance of taking long breaks
0:30:53 Creating an external renderer for Nuke
0:34:02 Moving to Japan and starting J CUBE
0:37:22 WeRender: command line image generation with USD
0:41:36 The state of rendering: speed or simplicity?
0:45:35 Image creation and AI
0:49:14 CPU vs GPU
0:52:42 How rendering hardware has changed — or not
1:02:43 AI and "Wall-E"
1:07:26 Creativity and Japanese comic books
1:09:58 What excites Paolo about the future