imagina 2011 – Another Success Story!

imagina began in 1981 and in 2002 adopted its current format, moving from a â3D media festivalâ to a conference cum trade show with extensive exhibition space welcoming participants from across all 3D related sectors, including Industry, Architecture, Urbanism & Landscape, CG Perspectives, Healthcare, and â3D, Augmented Reality, and Virtual Worldsâ.imaginaâs role in the industry.Because of its long history, imagina is now well established in the 3D field, with everyone involved in the European industry attending the annual conference and exhibition. The event takes place annually to celebrate technological innovation and to bring together the 3D developer and user communities. imagina 2011 saw the introduction of new themes over past years, including âRisk Managementâ and â3D in Healthcareâ, a major new development tailored for medical professionals, offering a comprehensive insight into the different ways in which 3D technologies can be - and are now - used in healthcare. The quality of imagina 2011âs conference sessions and workshops, several sampled by your editor, who also chaired the sessions on Urbanism & Landscape, was apparent to all and well remarked upon by many attendees. While the event is still very French in nature, many of the parallel sessions were conducted with simultaneous French-English translation and virtually all exhibitors were multi-lingual.imagina supports transfer of knowledge and experience.New virtual worlds and augmented reality have also seen rapid growth over the last two years, and these were represented in a special theme, âCG Perspectivesâ, plus at the exhibition hallâs SmartSystem Village, targeting 3D, augmented reality, immersive environments and âseriousâ games. One goal at imagina is to help cross-pollinate the ideas, skills and technologies from the more traditional 3D media and entertainment industry sectors into the more professionally oriented sectors, such as architecture, urban and territorial planning, industrial design and now even healthcare.Many activities were on offer over the three days, from workshops to conference presentations, special viewings, chances to meet with potential business partners or suppliers, and the popular âImagina Awardsâ judging and ceremony. There was also an emphasis on new areas currently being explored by the more progressive businesses and organisations, including management practices and developing closer relationships with clients, users and other groups.The imagina Awards.The ever popular imagina Awards aim âto promote the effective use of 3D, identify market leaders, showcase emerging talent, encourage visionary thinking, reward innovators, share knowledge and experience, encourage collaboration and improve understanding.â The purpose of the competition is to boost the status of not only the quality of computer-generated images but also to highlight the valuable commercial progress that 3D offers to a growing number of sectors. Thus, the awards process seeks to promote tests, studies and projects that use 3D technologies to highlight the advantages that they bring to professions that are in a phase of transition towards greater 3D use.The competition sets prize winners apart and rewards their success in using 3D in a very public and international forum among peers in the industry. The imagina Awards 2011 showcased companies, individuals, local authorities, schools and universities that distinguished themselves by producing a first-rate projects making use of 3D technologies relevant to their individual sectors or focuses.The awards ceremony, attended by hundreds of guests, was held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on the evening of 2 February 2011, and culminated in the full-length showing of the 3D film âTron: Legacyâ by Walt Disney Pictures, sequel to the 1982 film âTronâ. Awards were made in four categories, some receiving more than one award.imagina 2011 was declared a success by attendees, exhibitors and presenters â yet again! Donât miss imagina 2012!

For more information visit: