INDUSTRY

SALT LAKE CITY -- Linux Networx announced today its collaboration with CIS Hollywood in the production of the Paramount Pictures film, "The Core." CIS Hollywood used a 25-node Linux Networx(TM) Evolocity(TM) render farm to create visual effects in the science fiction movie released last week. CIS Hollywood's visual effects for "The Core" included the rendering of "Virgil," the subterranean drilling craft used to drill to the center of the earth. CIS Hollywood used the Linux Networx render farm to render volumetric fluid surrounding "Virgil" as it travels through rock, magma, crystals and diamonds on its way to the earth's core. The render farm was also used to composite all elements of the scene together. "It is critical that we have the fastest, most affordable rendering hardware available," said Don Fly, general manager for CIS Hollywood. "The Linux Networx cluster was easy to set up and the ICE(TM) cluster management tools simplify administration, allowing us to render more quickly and meet our deadlines." The render farm, also called a Linux cluster, is a set of independent computers linked together through a high-speed network to form a unified and more powerful computing system. The Linux Networx system uses 50 AMD Athlon(TM) MP processors and provides optimum performance for the most demanding visual effects and rendering projects. "A clustered system is ideal for visual effects companies looking to speed up their rendering projects, and Linux Networx specializes in the unique system configuration required to create an efficient render farm," said Josh Harr, chief technology officer for Linux Networx. "We are glad to see our systems being used to create visual effects for high-profile motion pictures." CIS Hollywood creates computer-generated visual effects for feature films, television programs and commercials. The new Linux Networx render farm allowed CIS Hollywood to double the output to complete 3D rendering and 2D compositing tasks.