Virtual Reality News: 3rd October 2002Virtual Reality News: 3rd October 2002
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Rockwell International has sold its Polhemus Inc subsidiary to a private group headed by its CEO and CFO. Founded in 1970, Polhemus is a provider of 3D position/orientation tracking, motion capture, and digitizing technology solutions. Polhemus was formerly a subsidiary of Kaiser Aerospace & Electronics.
At VREfresh we are not perfect! A typographical error in our last issue gave an incorrect URL for iLuaC software. The item announced iLuaC's new version of its virtual scenery generation, rendering, and exploration software, aeliom 1.1 and its availability as a free download. The URL is http://www.iluac.com
Users, Applications
& Projects
01 Airbus Empowered with 3D
02 University Designs for Bell Helicopter
03 Product Development at Electrolux
Products &
Services
04 Russian Software from Intel
05 PRESENCE-Connect
06 CrystalEyes Workstation
07 Viewpoint Media Integrator
08 Terrain Analysis and Visualization
09 Addition to Autodesk Civil Series
10 Macromedia "Site of the Day" First
Companies &
Markets
11 Video Games Industry
12 VR Company Launched in Germany
13 ImpactXoft & Dassault Systemes
14 Intergraph Acquires Z/I Imaging
15 StereoGraphics & ExVisium
16 Renderizer Visualization Cluster Management
17 Character Animation Training Tour
18 BOXX Technologies & Sonic Foundry
People
19 Ascension Technology
20 Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions
Worth Watching
21 LCD Capable Of Displaying 3D Images
22 Pliable Display Technology
Events & Calls
for Papers
23 PRESENCE 2002
24 IEEE Visualization 2002
25 CyberTherapy 2003
26 IEEE VR2003
27 Symposium on Interactive 3D Graphics
28 SIGGRAPH 2003 - Call for Participation
29 More Events
Airbus has completed the first phase of a plan to streamline product development using CATIA V5. The second phase of the project is underway and includes the installation of more than 2000 CATIA V5 seats and the integration of Airbus's design, development and manufacturing processes. The goal is to link once-disparate departments with CATIA's collaborative knowledge management tools empowered with 3D information on products and processes. In order to implement the latter phase of the project, Airbus has engaged IBM Global Services PLM Business Consulting Services (BCS) practice working with Dassault Systemes. IBM's PLM BCS team will handle integration of CATIA V5 design solutions at Airbus company-wide, including manufacturing centers in France, Germany, Spain and the UK. Airbus produces more than one aircraft every working day and this rate keeps increasing. Airbus employs worldwide 44000 employees.
URL: http://www.airbus.com/
URL: http://www.ibm.com
URL: http://www.3ds.com
Students in Baylor University's senior design class will get hands-on experience this fall when they use SolidWorks 3D CAD software to design a heat monitoring device for Bell Helicopter Textron. Baylor's School of Engineering and Computer Science has standardized on SolidWorks software. Bell Helicopter Textron, which makes military and commercial helicopters, has commissioned the students to design a device that monitors the temperature of its rotor couplings, which take power from the engine and transfers it to the rotor shaft, causing the blades to spin. The design team's monitor will sense if the couplings are overheating during testing, preventing the couplings, which cost $18,000 per pair, from being ruined. Baylor University is working with MLC CAD Systems, an authorized SolidWorks reseller and certified trainer.
The Electrolux Group, the world's largest producer of powered appliances for kitchen, cleaning and outdoor use, has selected CATIA V5 for the design, analysis and manufacture of its products. IBM will provide the Electrolux Group with 700 licenses of CATIA V5, the 3D product development solution developed by Dassault Systemes. In addition, Electrolux also announced that it recently completed implementation of SMARTEAM at its US manufacturing facilities. SMARTEAM is a product data management solution from IBM's Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) portfolio, also developed by Dassault Systemes.
Said Ove Palmberg, senior project manager, Electrolux Group. "Instead of just designing a box around a motor, we can now perform ergonomic design revolutions every day! Our customers buy our products not only for their quality and reliability, but also for their beauty and innovative design." To assist Electrolux Group with the transition from CATIA V4 TO V5, IBM and IBM business partners will provide training and implementation support for the PLM platform at Electrolux Group's 40 factories around the world.
Earlier this summer, the Electrolux Group announced plans to complete enterprise integration of PLM technologies, including the creation of digital factories, in which not only the products, but also the factory tools and production processes, are designed, simulated and managed virtually using PLM solutions from IBM and Dassault Systemes. More than 55 million Electrolux Group products (such as refrigerators, cookers, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, chain saws and lawn mowers) are sold each year to a value of approximately $14bn in more than 150 countries around the world.
URL: http://www.electrolux.com
URL: http://www.ibm.com
URL: http://www.3ds.com
Intel Corporation researchers have released software that allows developers to build i3D graphics that correctly model the way light reflects off of real objects and surfaces. The software is based on Intel's Light Field Mapping (LFM) technology that models the reflective properties of light interacting with 3D objects and environments. It is available at no cost through Intel's Open Source Light Field Mapping tool kit (Open Light Fields), which consists of software for composition of 3D images from digital photos and code for playback of the LFM objects. Developers can use the code as is or modify it for use in their applications.
In addition to working with graphics-hardware suppliers to assure that LFM is compatible with their graphics technology, Intel is working with 3D image scanning companies to provide an automatic and affordable source for 3D LFM-compatible scanned images. Intel also is collaborating with Mitsubishi Electric Research Lab on future enhancements to LFM, including the capability to visualize objects with complex geometries, such as those that occur in nature. It is working with Stanford University on technology for compressing and streaming of light fields. The Open Light Fields software team resides at the Intel Russia Research Center (IRRC) in Nihzniy Novgorod, Russia, one of Intel's four international microprocessor research centers. Established in 2001, the IRRC currently employs more than 30 computer researchers who work in such areas as computer graphics, computer vision, media and statistical computing.
PRESENCE-Connect has been launched as an online companion to the MIT Press journal PRESENCE: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments. The purpose of the new site is to provide researchers with the opportunity for submission of short papers, and other material, with a fast turn-round time for publication and feedback. The development of this new entity is under the control of the community who use it. The articles will be moderated by a panel of referees.
StereoGraphics Corporation has announced CrystalEyes Workstation, liquid crystal shuttering eyewear designed for the needs of the desktop user. It has an improved design to reduce interference from infrared lighting and from a multiple user environment. CrystalEyes Workstation can be used by scientists and engineers for visualizing complex 3D images in Molecular Modeling, GIS/Mapping and Medical Imaging. CrystalEyes Workstation and the E-2 emitter work with all stereo-enabled graphics cards and software applications. It is compatible with major computer operating systems. The CrystalEyes Workstation includes the E2 Emitter and a copy of Parallax Player, StereoGraphics' Stereo3D viewing software for the PC and is priced at $995.
URL: http://www.stereographics.com
Viewpoint Corporation and Right Hemisphere have announced the immediate availability of Viewpoint Media Integrator (VMI). VMI is an interactive authoring solution specifically developed for Right Hemisphere's format translation software package, Deep Exploration. With VMI, content developers are able to create dynamic Viewpoint Experience Technology (VET) scene interactions and animations directly from over 30 3D file formats from such packages as Discreet 3D Studio Max, Alias|Wavefront Maya, Caligari Truespace, NewTek Lightwave and Softimage XSI.
URL: http://www.viewpoint.com
URL: http://www.righthemisphere.com
Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions has announced the worldwide availability of GeoMedia Terrain 5.0, desktop software for terrain generation, elevation processing, and 3D visualization. GeoMedia Terrain extends Intergraph's GeoMedia 5.0 to give GIS professionals 3D terrain analysis and visualization capabilities that are integrated on the desktop. With 3D functionality to perform flythroughs, display color-coded elevation or shaded-relief raster backdrops, and create contour, slope, and visibility polygon features, GeoMedia Terrain helps mapping and GIS professionals evaluate and communicate features of a site. For example, 3D models and views created with GeoMedia Terrain can increase understanding of a location for uses such as determining flight path obstructions, selecting military emplacements, choosing a sight for a home, or deciding on new construction corridors for highways.
Autodesk has added Autodesk OnSite Desktop 7 to the Autodesk Civil Series. With OnSite Desktop, civil engineering teams will be able to import LandXML, GIS, and mapping data and aerial photographs in the conceptual stage of a project. Using this data, teams can render 3D and animated views to construct `what if' scenarios including flood levels, slope, and cut and fill to help plan and account for a variety of situations. In addition, projects teams can present their ideas to clients and design boards much earlier in the design process. This early collaboration helps to solicit feedback and build consensus sooner, helping avoid costly re-designs later in the project.
During last month, canDo Multimedia, based in Ireland, was awarded the Macromedia "Site of the Day." It is the first time a Site of the Day award has been awarded to a site solely due to it's interactive Shockwave 3D content.
With the video games industry continuing its lucrative and competitive drive to capture game enthusiasts worldwide, Discreet celebrates its first anniversary of the release of gmax. Since its release, gmax software has surpassed the quarter million mark of registered users and has been incorporated in games including Microsoft's Dungeon Siege, by Gas Powered Games, and EA's Command & Conquer Renegade, by Westwood Studios. gmax is based on Discreet's 3D animation software, 3ds max. With over 260,000 gmax registered users, Discreet is educating a new generation of potential 3D artists/game developers.
Viscon GmbH is a new company formed to create and develop solutions in VR, simulation and stereoscopic technology. Individuals at the company have experience delivering VR solutions in their former roles (particularly within Germany´s automotive and aviation industries and for institutional R&D within the academic community. Viscon is one of the first system partners to join Christie´s VR alliance in Europe and is already applying its expertise to deliver visualization solutions across Christie´s broad technology base of CRT, LCD, LCOS and DLP display systems.
URL: http://viscon.org
ImpactXoft and Dassault Systemes have created a strategic alliance to develop and deliver advanced design collaborative and functional modeling solutions for 3D Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). This alliance includes the signing of a CAA V5 Original Software Developer (OSD) agreement and an investment by Dassault Systemes of US $10M corresponding to an equity position of 15% in ImpactXoft. The partnership will leverage ImpactXoft's IXSPeeD technology with Version 5 of Dassault Systemes' 3D PLM portfolio to deliver and market applications through the CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, and SMARTEAM brands. Initial deliveries will target process-centric applications.
URL: http://www.impactxoft.com
URL: http://www.3ds.com
Intergraph has signed an agreement with the Carl Zeiss Group to acquire its minority interest in Z/I Imaging, making the earth imaging company a wholly owned subsidiary of Intergraph. Z/I Imaging, formerly a joint venture between Zeiss and Intergraph, is in the earth imaging industry, offering solutions for the acquisition, exploitation, management and distribution of imagery.
StereoGraphics Corporation has appointed ExVisium BV, provider of 3D interactive media solutions for product promotion, sales and advertising, to be a SynthaGram Development Partner and reseller of the SynthaGram product line for the European markets of retail commerce and advertising. ExVisium will apply the SynthaGram technology in its Visual Shopping Entertainment application platform.
ModViz is introducing its Renderizer Visualization Cluster Management Software, to the exploration geoscience community at the Society of Exploration Geophysicists' (SEG) conference in Salt Lake City, October 6-9. Renderizer software enables PC clusters to render complex digital models. Dell is supplying the Dell Precision workstations as a platform for the exhibition. Attendees from the oil and gas, mining, environmental, and near-surface geophysical industries will have the opportunity to see demonstrations of ModViz's Renderizer software managing Linux PC clusters running TGS' Open Inventor.
Ford Entertainment Group International, producers of intelligent solutions for the visual effects community, has announced the LightWave 7.5 Character Animation Training Tour. The tour will showcase LightWave 3D's character animation tools and include hands-on training taught by industry professionals. Co-sponsored by Luxology, Hewlett-Packard, nVidia, Next Limit, Desktop Images, Digital Juice and Artbeats, the tour begins October 31.
BOXX Technologies has enhanced its OEM relationship with Sonic Foundry to offer its 3DBOXX workstation customers an array of preloaded software solutions for audio and video multimedia production. Under the terms of the agreement, BOXX is offering workstation configurations preloaded with Sonic Foundry's Vegas Video, Sound Forge 6.0 and ACID PRO 4.0 software. BOXX is currently offering introductory pricing of $330 for Vegas Video, $250 for Sound Forge, $200 for Acid Pro or $700 for all three software programs when purchased with a 3DBOXX workstation.
URL: http://www.boxxtech.com
URL: http://wwwsonicfoundry.com
Ascension Technology Corporation has named Ryan S Raz as the company's new Director of Technology. Raz brings to Ascension over twenty-five years' experience in scientific and medical hardware and software instrumentation. Formerly Vice President of r&d at Geotech Limited, then Morphometrix Technologies Limited and WebCradle, Raz holds a number of patents.
Dr Terry Keating has joined Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions as an executive vice president. Dr Keating will be responsible for Z/I Imaging and complementary service units. Dr Keating is president of the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS). Lewis Graham, current CEO of Z/I Imaging, is leaving to pursue other interests.
Sharp Corporation and Sharp Laboratories of Europe, Ltd have developed an LCD capable of displaying 3D images, which does not require the use of special glasses. This LCD is electrically switchable between 2D viewing (planar mode) and 3D viewing (stereo mode). This display can lead not only to the development of dedicated 3D display equipment that provides a realistic sense of depth and presence, but can also be used in existing LCD application products. For example, in the PC field, it functions as an ordinary 2D display for applications such as word processing or spreadsheets. Switching to 3D display mode, it lets users enjoy specialized 3D content such as computer graphics or games with an amazingly vivid sense of depth and immediacy.
IDELIX Software has released Version 2.1.0 beta of the Pliable Display Technology (PDT) Software Development Kit and the PDT 3d SDK beta featuring platform support for Mac OS X and "PDT 3d", a new application of PDT that extends "detail-in-context" viewing functionality to 3D models. The PDT 3d SDK beta builds on the PDT SDK and introduces new classes supporting PDT 3d lenses, a new application of Pliable Display Technology for viewing and interacting with 3D models and large complex assemblies on the local PC and the Internet. PDT 3d provides a means of viewing an area or object of interest within a 3D data set that is "occluded" or blocked from view by the objects visible in front of it.
A PDT 3d lens can be positioned along any plane in the 3D data set. Objects in front or behind the lens plane are optimally displaced to provide a clear line of site to this area of interest that will appear within the focal region of the lens. Once the PDT lens is removed, these objects are returned to their original data coordinates, enabling the structure to return to its original format. PDT 3D provides an alternative to existing occlusion reduction tools such as rotation, cutting planes, transparency, or information filtering.
209.23 PRESENCE 2002
PRESENCE 2002, Portugal on October 9-11, 2002.
URL: http://www.presence-research.org
209.24 IEEE Visualization 2002
Co-located with IEEE Visualization 2002 are InfoVis 2002, the IEEE Symposium on Information Visualization, and VolVis 2002, the IEEE/SIGGRAPH Symposium on Volume Visualization and Graphics. Boston, Massachusetts, USA - October 27 - November 1, 2002.
URL: http://vis.computer.org/vis2002
URL: http://www.infovis.org/infovis2002
URL: http://www.cs.sunysb.edu/~volvis02/209.25 CyberTherapy 2003
This year's theme acknowledges the increasing use of advanced technologies, including VR, in mental health, disabilities and rehabilitation. San Diego, California, USA - 19-20 January 2003.
URL: http://www.e-therapy.info
209.26 IEEE VR2003
IEEE VR2003: Los Angeles, USA - March 22 to 26, 2003. The deadline for Tutorial and Workshop Submissions has been extended to October 1, 2002.
209.27 Symposium on Interactive 3D Graphics
2003 Symposium on Interactive 3D Graphics: California, USA - April 27 to 30, 2003. Papers Deadline: 15 September 2002
URL: http://movesinstitute.org/I3D.html
URL: http://siggraph.org/i3d209.28 SIGGRAPH 2003 - Call for Participation
SIGGRAPH 2003, the 30th International Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, which will be held 27 - 31 July, in San Diego, California, USA, has issued its Call for Participation looking for both first-time and veteran contributors in three areas: presentations, experiences, and services. The presentations are Courses, Educators Program, Papers, Sketches and Applications, and Web Graphics. The experiences are Art Gallery CG03: Computer Graphics 2003, Computer Animation Festival, and Emerging Technologies: Electronic Speedway. The call is also seeking volunteers and support for services, which are GraphicsNet, International Resources, Pathfinders, and Student Opportunities.
URL: http://www.siggraph.org/s2003/cfp
For extensive information about events relevant to the European VR/i3D community, see the events pages on El.pub: for Europe: base05.htm, for the rest of the world: connone.htm
| About VREfresh news Each edition of virtual reality news is now published on a separate page, ensuring that links (particularly from VREfresh) continue to remain current. To view news from previous issues, please use the navigation buttons below. |
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