Virtual Reality News: 1st February 2003Virtual Reality News: 1st February 2003
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Users, Applications
& Projects
Systems for Soldiers
Students to Get 3ds Max 5
Architects Move to 3D
Products &
Services
Haptic Workstation by Immersion
trueSpace Version 6.5
Logitech Webcams to Use A4Vision Software
ImageModeler 3.5, for Windows
Outline3D (v 4.0)
COOL 3D Studio
ModelPress 3D Publishing
Companies &
Markets
Discreet & Turbo Squid
Turbo Squid & Snoswell Design
Price Cut by Ascension Technology
SensAble for the UK & Italy
ART VPS Ltd & Leading Technology Micro
BOXX Technologies & NewTek
Worth Watching
Virtual Video Reality
People
Ph.D Position in VR & Entertainment (Laval, France)
Bob Stone Moves
President Resigns from SEGA
Events & Calls
for Papers
Fakespace Systems has delivered a reconfigurable visualization system as part of an Immersive Environment Simulator, used to study how soldiers use equipment in combat zones, at the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. The RAVE II visualization system consists of three detachable, large-scale stereoscopic display units that ARL uses to project imagery of simulated hostile environments. The RAVE II is one part of the Tactical Environment Simulation Facility at ARL, which includes two adjoining simulation environments. One is a stereoscopic projection-based Hostile Environment Simulator that includes a 155 decibel sound system. The second part, called the Immersive Environment Simulator, integrates the RAVE II with motion tracking and an omni-directional treadmill to allow soldiers to literally run and move in any direction within virtual hostile terrain and combat conditions.
The RAVE II at the ARL is a reconfigurable stereoscopic display system consisting of three self-contained 10-ft x 12.5-ft rear-projected modules that can be arranged to form a flat wall display, an immersive theater, or an enclosed CAVE-like environment. As part of the Immersive Environment Simulator it is used in conjunction with an immersive sound system consisting of 44 loudspeakers. It is the first system of its type to include an omni-directional treadmill, and it also has an accurate inertial acoustic position measuring system, which enables visualizations to track in real time with the user's changing point of view. SGI was prime contractor for the $2.5 million project, and the Immersive Environment Simulator is driven by an SGI Onyx supercomputer
URL: http://www.arl.army.mil
URL: http://www.fakespacesystems.com/
The Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering at Brunel University, England has purchased 60 seats of 3ds Max 5, upgrading it's pool from 25 licenses of version 3 and 4. The licenses were supplied by Discreet reseller Man and Machine. The 3D modeling and animation software is taught in the second and third years of Brunel's BSc Multimedia Technology and Design course. The university is planning to extend its number of licences in the near future to cater for the new Multimedia MPhil, and The Brunel Information Technology Lab (BITlab), which is under construction.
Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company (HEWV), an architectural design firm, has implemented Autodesk Architectural Desktop (ADT) throughout its firm. HEWV was assisted by Avatech Solutions, a provider of design automation tools, training, integration services, and technical support. "We knew we could save time by switching from 2D to 3D software and Avatech Solutions made the transition painless," said Beau Turner, CAD manager at Hanbury, Evans, Wright, Vlattas + Company. "We can design faster, which gives us much more time to focus on design innovation and produce creative solutions that far exceed our client expectations."
URL: http://www.hewv.com
URL: http://www.avatechsolutions.com
Immersion Corporation has unveiled a 3D interaction product called the Haptic Workstation which includes right-hand and left-hand CyberForce whole-hand force-feedback systems providing programmable haptic feedback to the fingers and hands. The CyberForce system also provides six-degrees-of-freedom positional tracking that measures translation and rotation of the hands in three dimensions. The workstation ships with CAD model interaction software and an immersive head-mounted display. For the system, Immersion created the Digital Seating Buck application, where a product designer can virtually see inside a 3D automobile CAD model. The designer can actually "feel" what it's like to touch the simulated dashboard and steering wheel.
Caligari Corporation has announced trueSpace. Version 6.5 with a new animation engine aimed at meeting the needs of game developers and professional animators. trueSpace is a modeling and design environment for projects ranging from print/web design and concept presentation through full character animation. The new animation engine enables users to "give life" to 3D objects created in trueSpace using animation behaviors and advanced built-in physics.
A new feature in trueSpace6.5 is its non-linear animation capability, allowing users to compose complex animations using clips of motion sequences. Users can define low-level behaviors using the existing Key-Frame view and then edit, combine and blend the created behaviors in trueSpace's new Clip-view editor. Additional animation features in trueSpace6.5 include improved Inverse Kinematics (IK) for better control of bones and joint movement as well as breakable objects that react with the environment. Local physical environments can be assigned to any object in order to create motion causing, for example, leaves to swirl at the passing of a car. Joints can now be assigned physical properties allowing them to react to other objects and these environments. trueSpace6.5 will be available for $595.
A4Vision has launched face targeting and tracking software with Logitech. A4Vision's software algorithms enable Logitech webcams to target and automatically track a person's face, keeping it centered within the camera's field of view, by tracking a combination of skin tones, shapes and movement to lock onto a person's face. This enables the camera to pan, tilt and zoom-in on a person's face -- keeping it centered during a video instant messaging session or when recording a video email. Logitech Face Tracking will begin shipping in February as a standard feature with all mid to high-end Logitech webcams that feature digital zoom. The product is available for download now at the Logitech Web site. A4Vision (Applications for Vision) develops and licenses identification systems and solutions for tracking and targeting camera systems, and 3D face recognition technology. The company is backed by the international venture capital company myQube.
REALVIZ has announced availability of ImageModeler 3.5, for Windows XP/2000. (A Mac OSX version of the application also recently began shipping in December 2002.) Using photographs as an approach to 3D content creation, REALVIZ ImageModeler 3.5 is the result of over a year's work.
ParallelGraphics has released Outline3D (v 4.0) in conjunction with the launch of a new Italian interior design portal based on Outline3D technology. Outline3D is a 3D design service that enables furniture suppliers, interior designers and real estate firms to present a product range to clients over the Internet and company Intranets. The latest version of Outline 3D introduces a simplified installation procedure, faster interior loading, and improved object manipulation.
URL: http://www.Itacabox.com
URL: http://www.outline3D.com
URL: http://www.parallelgraphics.com
Ulead Systems has introduced COOL 3D Studio, 3D animation software for video production. Based on Ulead's COOL 3D software for creating 3D animation and text for the Web and presentation multimedia, COOL 3D Studio offers additional tools designed for video editing professionals. The software equips video professionals with tools intended to streamline 3D text and graphics work. Features include an independent key-frame timeline for each graphic object, the ability to pad frames before, in the middle, or after a given animation, and the power to import 3D Studio Max and DirectX models. Ulead COOL 3D Studio is available for $129 for the boxed version, and $119 for the electronic download.
URL: http://www.ulead.com
Myriad has unveiled ModelPress 3D Publishing system at no charge. ModelPress makes 3D models available to downstream users. It consists of two individually downloadable pieces: a publishing utility, which claims compression rates of 70%-98% of the original model size; and the viewer, which installs as a desktop application, but can also be embedded as an ActiveX control for Web delivery and viewing.
Discreet has entered into an exclusive development and distribution partnership with Turbo Squid, Inc who will act as the worldwide developer, publisher and distributor for the Discreet Certified 3ds max Plug-in Program. Turbo Squid enjoys a reputation with Discreet 3ds max customers as a supplier of 3D models, textures, and plug-ins to the 3D community, and will now be able to offer online downloadable electronic versions of Discreet Certified 3ds max Plug-ins with 24/7 online authorization. Turbo Squid will also offer these plug-ins through Discreet's Worldwide Reseller Channel and on the Discreet online store.
Kicking off the program, Turbo Squid is shipping the first Discreet Certified 3ds max Plug-in, finalToon, from cebas, GmbH in Germany. finalToon is a cartoon and technical illustration renderer allowing users to add shading or other effects and adjust line styles in real-time without the need to re-render scenes over and over again. This plug-in will allow 3ds max users to try different creative looks while saving time in the production process. In the next 60 days, Turbo Squid will introduce Discreet Certified 3ds max Plug-Ins: finalRender Stage 1, from cebas, DreamScape 2, from Sitni Sati, AfterBurn 3, from Sitni Sati and HumanIK for 3ds max, from Kaydara.
URL: http://www.discreet.com/products
URL: http://www.turbosquid.com
Turbo Squid has also entered into an exclusive worldwide distribution partnership with Snoswell Design for Absolute Character Tools (ACT) Pro version 1.6, the character modeling and animation platform. ACT-Pro V 1.6 sells for $895, with an introductory price of $645 until March 1, 2003.
Ascension Technology has lowered the price of its 4-sensor Nest of Birds motion tracker from $8595 to $7345 for a full-up tracker. Suitable for head, hand and instrument tracking, the Nest tracks position and orientation with 6 DOF in real time. The Nest of Birds supports most 3D visualization and simulation graphics applications and can be optimized for CAVE environments. Its real-time capability suits a range of applications from biomechanical and human factors research to telerobotics and simulation. It is also suitable for broadband use—interactive gaming, web avatars and multi-user virtual interaction. The Nest of Birds is built with both RS232 and optional USB capability.
SensAble Technologies, Inc has established a strategic partnership with UK-based Delcam plc, a supplier and manufacturer of CAD/CAM software. The partnership enables Delcam to market, resell, and support SensAble's touch-based FreeForm system in the UK and Italy as an integrated part of its suite of products. SensAble has over 500 customers in 30 countries, including adidas-Salomon, Bandai, Black and Decker, ECCO Design, GE, Gillette, Hallmark, Hasbro, Honda, Mattel, New Balance, Nike, Playmobil, Reebok, Unitec, Wedgwood and leading universities worldwide.
ART VPS Ltd and Leading Technology Micro Inc have entered into an expanded distribution agreement for the sales and marketing of ART VPS visualization products in North America. The two companies have collaborated for some time in selling ART VPS's PURE and RenderDrive products. This new deal means that LTMicro will act as master distributor for ART VPS's products and will recruit, train and manage a network of 25 resellers across the USA and Canada.
URL: http://www.ltmicro.com
URL: http://www.artvps.com
BOXX Technologies has extended a marketing and distribution agreement with NewTek to bundle and distribute NewTek's Video Toaster with BOXX's 3DBOXX workstation. Video Toaster is a Windows 2000-based product that processes uncompressed video in real-time and includes live keying, Internet streaming, real-time nonlinear editing, character generation, video painting and compositing, 3D animation, audio and video processing in an integrated package. BOXX Technologies has also announced support for the NVIDIA Quadro FX graphics solutions in its series of 3DBOXX workstations running Microsoft Windows or Linux.
URL: http://www.boxxtech.com
URL: http://www.newtek.com
Prairie Logic, Inc has announced technology in the field of virtual video reality (VVR). Live action 3D "surround video" with directional surround sound can be captured, presented and experienced. Immediate applications for this technology include corporate, industrial and military training, promotional marketing and high-end real estate presentations. Using inexpensive 3-D glasses, individuals or groups may experience VVR with any display system that supports stereo viewing including standard computer monitors and projection systems. Prairie Logic, Inc. was founded in 2001, and is headquartered in Ames, Iowa. It is specializing in the development of virtual video reality technology and image manipulation software.
Within the framework of the preparation of the Laval Virtual Theme Park, the laboratory Conception of New Products and Innovation of ISTIA (Angers University) proposes a Ph.D position on the subject of the VR dedicated to general public attractions. They look for a creative and dynamic candidate, possessing a good knowledge of VR technologies and of data processing. Interested candidates can send their CV and an email of motivation to Simon Richir, Co-director of the CPNI laboratory.
Email: mailto:simon.richir@univ-angers.fr
URL: http://www.univ-angers.fr
Professor Robert "Bob" Stone has resigned from Virtual Presence to join the Department of Electronic, Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Birmingham.
Peter Moore, president and chief operating officer of Sega of America, has tendered his resignation. Effective immediately, Tetsu Kayama, chief operating officer of SEGA Corporation, will assume the role of president and chief executive officer.
URL: http://www.sega.com
219.21 Call for Papers: OpenSG 2003
Concepts and Components of Software Frameworks for Interactive 3D Graphics in cooperation with Eurographics. April 1st/2nd 2003. The workshop will be held at the Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics (Fraunhofer IGD) in Darmstadt, Germany. The deadline for paper submissions is Friday, February 28th 2003.
219.22 Solid Edge Global Summit
The Fifth annual Solid Edge Global Summit is set for February 19-21, 2003 at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort near Orlando, Florida. Keynotes from EDS PLM Solutions executives, Voyager Program exhibition, Solid Edge user presentations, hands-on training, business management conference, developers' conference, social activities and more is on the agenda.
219.23 Web3D 2003 Symposium
The Web3D 2003 Symposium, the annual winter meeting of the Web3D Consortium, is scheduled for March 9-12, 2003, in Saint Malo, France. Keynote speakers are Joern Ostermann of AT&T Labs, Victor Ostromoukhov, University of Montreal, and Olivier Avaro of France Telecom.
URL: http://www.web3d.org
219.24 IEEE VR2003
IEEE VR2003: Los Angeles, USA - March 22 to 26, 2003.
219.25 3Dims VR workshop
The second 3Dims VR workshop will be held in Frankfurt, Germany, on April 3rd and 4th. It is designed for technical decision makers who plan to install or upgrade a VR centre, or plan to take advantage of the VR technology in the daily business. The workshop will focus on the use of VR in simulation techniques such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Finite Element Method (FEM) and Multi Body Systems (MBS). Software and data-link issues as well as display systems will be discussed
URL: http://www.3Dims.de
219.26 Symposium on Interactive 3D Graphics
2003 Symposium on Interactive 3D Graphics: California, USA - April 27 to 30, 2003.
URL: http://movesinstitute.org/I3D.html
URL: http://siggraph.org/i3d
219.27 Casa'2003
The 16th International Conference on Computer Animation and Social Agents (Casa'2003). Rutgers University - May 7-9, 2003
219.28 Laval Virtual Reality International Conference
Laval, France, May 13-18, 2003
219.29 Joint IPT/EGVE '03 Workshop
Seventh Immersive Projection Technology Workshop together with the Ninth Eurographics Workshop on Virtual Environments in Cooperation with ACM Siggraph: May 22-23, 2003 - Zurich, Switzerland
URL: http://www.ipt-egve.ethz.ch
URL: http://www.eg.org/EG/Publications/WSPubl
219.30 Vision, Video and Graphics 2003
Vision, Video and Graphics 2003: July 10-11, 2003 - Bath, UK. The intersection of computer graphics and computer vision promises many new application areas and raises new fundamental questions. This conference is a response to this developing area, and its purpose is to promote cooperation between the graphic and vision communities. Original papers related to the following themes are invited Image based rendering (view synthesis from other images), Models from images and video, for graphics and visualization, applications, Augmented reality, Video augmented environments, Graphics models for vision applications and more. Submission deadline is March 7, 2003.
219.31 SIGGRAPH 2003
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.
219.32 EUROGRAPHICS 2003
EUROGRAPHICS 2003 - "Modelling the real world." September 1-6, 2003 in Granada, Spain. Eurographics is the annual conference of the European Association for Computer Graphics. It is dedicated to research and development in computer graphics and related disciplines. Eurographics 2003 is hosted and organized by the University of Granada, in Granada, Spain. The organizers expect between 400 and 500 participants from all over the world, working in education, research, and industry.
URL: http://www.ugr.es/
URL: http://www.eg.org/eg2003
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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