Project Description : Update readme

README.md

@@ -1,13 +1,48 @@
-== Cortex ==
+![Cortex](graphics/CortexLogo.svg)
 
-The Cortex project provides a set of high quality C++ libraries and Python modules tailored for software development in the visual effects industry. Rather than producing end user tools, the project focuses on creating a reusable set of modules of use to TDs and programmers in a broad range of scenarios - allowing them to focus on the more interesting or innovative aspects of development.
 
-To learn more, take a look at the http://vimeo.com/cortex[Cortex presentations from SIGGRAPH 2011], read a https://github.com/ImageEngine/cortex/wiki/pdfs/AnOpenSourceFrameworkForVisualEffectsSoftwareDevelopment.pdf[short introduction to Cortex], or dive straight into the https://github.com/ImageEngine/cortex/wiki/ExamplesIntroduction[code examples].
+# Cortex #
 
-== Mailing Lists ==
+Cortex is a cross-application framework for computation, rendering, and file I/O that provides a set of high-quality C++ libraries and Python modules tailored for software development in the VFX industry. This project focuses on creating a set of practical and reusable modules for technical directors, CG supervisors, and programmers, freeing them to focus on innovation and new features in their software projects.
 
-http://groups.google.com/group/cortexdev[Developer discussion]
+Out of the box, Cortex has full support for the [Arnold](https://www.arnoldrenderer.com/arnold/), [Appleseed](https://appleseedhq.net), and [3Delight](https://www.3delight.com) renderers. It also has built-in integration with Maya, Houdini, and Nuke, with default user interfaces that provide for file I/O and live data manipulation. With its extensible API, Cortex’s DCC integration can be expanded to create custom tools to solve studio pipeline needs.
 
-http://groups.google.com/group/cortexcommits[Commit notifications]
+You can find out more from our [introductory paper on Cortex](https://github.com/ImageEngine/cortex/wiki/pdfs/AnOpenSourceFrameworkForVisualEffectsSoftwareDevelopment.pdf) and the [Cortex presentations at SIGGRAPH 2011](https://vimeo.com/album/5504655).
 
-http://groups.google.com/group/cortexissues[Issue tracker notifications]
+For a proof-of-concept demonstration of Cortex’s power as a framework, see [Gaffer](https://gafferhq.org), an open-source, node-based application designed for flexible scene building, rendering, and pipeline automation.
+
+Participation in the Cortex project requires abiding by its [Code of Conduct](https://github.com/ImageEngine/cortex/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md).
+
+
+## Download ##
+
+Download the latest source from the [releases page](https://github.com/ImageEngine/cortex/releases).
+
+
+## Mailing Lists ##
+
+- [Developer discussion](https://groups.google.com/group/cortexdev)
+- [Commit notifications](https://groups.google.com/group/cortexcommits)
+
+## Building and Testing ##
+
+- [Prerequisites](https://github.com/ImageEngine/cortex/wiki/Building#prerequisites)
+- [Building Cortex](https://github.com/ImageEngine/cortex/wiki/Building#building)
+- [Testing Cortex](https://github.com/ImageEngine/cortex/wiki/Building#testing-and-documentation)
+
+
+## Questions, Troubleshooting, and Feature Requests ##
+
+If you have any questions about developing Cortex, or feature requests, please ask on the [Cortex developer group](https://groups.google.com/group/cortexdev).
+
+
+## Contributions and Bugs Reports ##
+
+Please see the project's [Contribution Guidelines](https://github.com/ImageEngine/cortex/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+
+
+## Copyright and License ##
+
+© 2018 Image Engine Design Inc. All rights reserved.
+
+Distributed under the [3-Clause BSD license](https://github.com/ImageEngine/cortex/blob/master/LICENSE).