Several features in this month’s issue of Entertainment Engineering focus on forms of entertainment related to spring.

In addition to a story about baseball, we are covering the beginning of 2009 NASCAR racing season. The NASCAR story explains how the same software used to help NASCAR teams shave seconds off their lap times also helps diverse manufacturers develop some of the world’s most sophisticated products from industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical devices, electronics, machinery and tooling. Chief engineer, Engine Operations, Jim Wall from Hendrick Motorsports credits some of his success to the use of Siemens PLM Software. Read the story starting on page 8.

Just recently, Dreamworks, The Walt Disney Company, and Pixar subsidiary announced that many future animated movies will be released in 3D. Helping to revitalize 3D filmmaking is MSM Design (MSM), whose high-resolution stereoscopic camera technology was instrumental in producing Space Station 3D. Their IMAX3D and ICBC3D 30perforation/ 65mm cameras, which contained a customized Galil motion controller for controlling film speed and tension, were onboard the space shuttle to chronicle the building of the international space station. See more on this story beginning on page 10.

This issue also contains a story about the technology behind the “holographic effect” used CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer and CNN correspondent Jessica Yellin during last year’s presidential election coverage. The holographic effect creates the realistic appearance of a face-to-face interview. The video treatment is comprised of STATS’ video processing and tracking technology, along with Vizrt’s real-time tracking and rendering software.

What I like best about spring is that things grow and change. There’s an optimism about spring that things are getting better. It’s that kind of spirit I saw when I read about a free software and training program from Bentley that’s designed to help outplaced engineering professionals upgrade their technology skill sets. It provides free access to Bentley’s comprehensive software portfolio and training as well as the ability to earn learning units from the Bentley Institute. You can find the links to the free software later in this issue, along with a place to post your resume. You can also post your resume through Entertainment Engineering at http://www.entertainmentengineering.com/careers.

Bruce Wiebusch

bruce@entertainmentengineering.com