@nformer

The Magic Bus appears at Capilano College

he Silicon Graphics Magic Bus

made its first Western Canada
appearance in two years at Capilano
College on Monday, June 8. It was here
to showcase much of the new high-
performance computing technology that
will be part of the College’s
$4.4 million computer animation lab
opening in September. Sixteen students
of Capilano College’s new computer
animation program will be the fortunate
beneficiaries of an academic partnership
between the College and California-
based Silicon Graphics, Inc.

“Our new lab will be one of the most
powerfully-equipped computer
animation training facilities in Western
Canada,” says Carol McCandless, dean
of Science and Media Technology at
Capilano College. “Silicon Graphics is
providing us with an R10000 platform,
which is the highest-end platform for
movie and computer animation.
Because we’re committed to keeping
the lab equipped with the latest
technology, we’ll be upgrading to an
R12000 platform in 18 months.”

Capilano College will provide its
students with unlimited 24-hour access
on the new high-end platform system
for the full 16 weeks of the program.

Silicon Graphics is the world’s leader
in high-performance computing
technology. Its tools are widely used by
several key industries, including
entertainment, energy, the sciences and
education. Alias/Wavefront is just one
of the many software tools that students
will learn. It offers PowerAnimator, a
premiere 3D package for professionals
working in feature films and broadcast
visual effects.

“We entered into this partnership
with Capilano College because we
recognize it as a leader in training
people who design content for media in

Silicon Graphics market development manager, Walter Stewart (left), exits the
Silicon Graphics Magic Bus with Capilano College president, Greg Lee.
(Photo by Edna Sakata in Media Production Services.)

programs such as media resources,

graphic design, information technology,

and commercial animation,” says Doug
Walker, president of Silicon Graphics
Canada Ltd. “Our equipment will assist
the College’s students in using their
creativity on the same tools they will
use once they graduate and start their
own careers.”

The computer animation program is
the latest addition to a series of media-
related programs offered at Capilano
College. It complements the highly-
regarded commercial animation
program, also offered at the North
Vancouver campus.

“This fall, we will be opening the

Capilano College Centre for Film Craft
Training,’ McCandless says. “Through
this 19,000 square foot facility, the
College will offer a wide variety of
film courses. This moves us one step
closer to the completion of the
Capilano College Centre for Arts and
Entertainment, which we hope to open
within five years.”

We have a winner!

ith the winning name Animation

Station, Word Processing’s Judy
Edgar will be enjoying a dinner for
two at the Village Bistro in North
Vancouver. Congratulations, Judy!

@ e@= Capilano
@€ex College

Vol. XX No. 6
July 17/98