A new hope for creatives: Photos from the Melrose Center grand opening

On Saturday, Feb. 8, the Orange County Library System officially opened the Melrose Center to an eager crowd of Orlando residents who couldn't wait to check out some of the emerging technologies the center holds, including a photography studio, a video production studio, an audio recording studio, 3-D printers, interactive whiteboards and simulators. While we were told that each studio was not completely outfitted (particularly the video, photo and recording studios), creatives can expect access to these facilities by mid-March, if all goes as planned.

Here, we document what we saw in each room, so you can see what you might be working with.

Related: How to use the Melrose Center recording studio at the downtown library ATTN: Local musicians! Record your next album at the … library?

2/8/2014
Photos by Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
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A projection of Dorothy Lumley Melrose welcomes the crowd.
Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
A projection of Dorothy Lumley Melrose welcomes the crowd.
Ribbons were cut!
Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
Ribbons were cut!
A new hope for creatives: Photos from the Melrose Center grand opening
Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
Melrose Center advisers were on hand to answer questions about all the new resources.
Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
Melrose Center advisers were on hand to answer questions about all the new resources.
A new hope for creatives: Photos from the Melrose Center grand opening
Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
There were also local vendors, presenting on emergent technologies.
Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
There were also local vendors, presenting on emergent technologies.
In one work room, access 3-D printers.
Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
In one work room, access 3-D printers.
3-D printing.
Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
3-D printing.
3-D printing demo.
Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
3-D printing demo.
The video production room features a green screen with remote-controlled cameras to change your angle seamlessly.
Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
The video production room features a green screen with remote-controlled cameras to change your angle seamlessly.
A demo of the video production studio.
Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
A demo of the video production studio.
Green room.
Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
Green room.
Flying simulator.
Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
Flying simulator.
Flying simulator.
Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
Flying simulator.
Driving, flight and even forklift simulators.
Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
Driving, flight and even forklift simulators.
Utilize graphic design studios.
Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
Utilize graphic design studios.
Cardboard robots from the Dog-Powered Robot crew also walked the space.
Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
Cardboard robots from the Dog-Powered Robot crew also walked the space.
And naturally, Darth Vader was there, too.
Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
And naturally, Darth Vader was there, too.
Melrose Center IS a new hope ... for broke-as-hell creatives, at least.
Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
Melrose Center IS a new hope ... for broke-as-hell creatives, at least.
Interactive whiteboard.
Dave Plotkin & Ashley Belanger
Interactive whiteboard.
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