3D --- Media Creation --- Shared Space
Published by 4th WAVE, Inc.
Issue #703 2/17/97
1997 Symposium on Interactive 3D Graphics
Registration is now open for the 1997 Symposium on Interactive 3D Graphics, which will be held from April 27-30 in Providence, Rhode Island. Registration is limited to 250 participants. For more info see:
http://www.research.microsoft.com/research/Symp3d.htm
1997 Siggraph/Eurographics Workshop on Graphics Hardware
A call for papers has been issued for the 1997 Siggraph/Eurographics Workshop on Graphics Hardware. The workshop, which is being held in conjunction with this year’s SIGGRAPH in Los Angles from August 3-4, is seeking paper submissions of “high-quality contributions to all aspects of computer graphics hardware describing either proven and tested solutions or novel ideas and concepts.” Registration for the workshop is limited to 120, with registration information being made available after March 1. SCHEDULE Apr 1 Deadline for paper submission May 5 Notification of acceptance May 26 Camera-ready copies due from authors Aug 3+4 Workshop
http://www.cs.unc.edu/Info/Events/Conferences/hwws97.html
Specular International and Apple Computer have announced a series of nationwide seminars, currently scheduled for stops in eight cities across the U.S. The seminars “will focus on creating 3D graphics for digital video using Specular Infini-D with the Media 100 non-linear editing system and Apple Power Macintosh Personal Computers,” utilizing Infini-D 3.5 (which will also be available to attendees for the special price of $299).
Tour Locations & Dates:
http:// www.seminars.apple.com
Permedia NT Ships in Diamond FireGL 1000
Diamond’s FireGL 1000 accelerator, which sports 3D Labs’ Permedia NT chipset, is now shipping in several retail and distribution channels. The FireGL 1000 is available in both 4MB or 8MB SGRAM configurations, with prices starting at $399.99. The reported performance and stats for the card are:
This week Symmetric announced special promotional pricing for their new GLyder MP 3D accelerator. They are offering the card for a quantity-1 retail price of $2,395 (reportedly up to $1500 less than the price through other retail channels) through February 28, after which the price will rise to $3,495. The card’s reported performance and stats are:
Performance: 750K polygons/sec 40M pixels/sec Chipset: Dual GLINT 500TX, GLINT Delta Memory: 40 MB total: 8 MB VRAM frame buffer 32 MB DRAM Z-buffer/texture memory Resolutions: up to 1600x1200 Frame buffer: 24-bit color, 8-bit alpha channel APIs: OpenGL, Heidi, QuickDraw3D for Windows Features: Gouraud shading, anti-aliasing, alpha blending, stenciling, fog/depth queuing, texture mapping
NFO Research (“the world’s largest panel-based market research firm”), in conjunction with Live Picture Inc., have announced a strategic alliance to combine LivePicture’s RealSpace and FlashPix technologies with NFO’s Internet-based market research offerings. Live Picture’s virtual reality software, which is based on FlashPix imaging, VRML 2.0 rendering and audio/video playback, will allow users to interact with 3D representations of market research and studies. The Realspace technologies are optimized for use with Netscape Navigator 2.0+ or Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0+, and are currently available for select studies.
http://www.nfor.com http://www.livepicture.com
New Shape Animation Plug-in for 3DS MAX
Platinum Pictures Multimedia Inc. and GlyphX Inc. have announced MorphMagic, a Shape Animation plug-in for 3D Studio MAX. Working alone or in conjunction with Character Studio, MorphMagic allows users to perform complex facial, hand and other shape animation. The plug-in was designed by GlyphX and programmed by Platinum Pictures Multimedia. Features include: 100 weighted morph channels; the ability to predefine limits of motion on each channel; a compound channel generator; a new progressive animation system to simulate bone-like animation; and others. MorphMagic is scheduled to ship on March 1. For more information and sample animations see:
Consumer Video Editing from Pinnacle
Pinnacle will begin shipping their new VideoDirector Studio 200 system for the consumer video market starting next week. The system will allow home users to perform video editing with a common PC, VCR and/or camcorder. VideoDirector Studio 200, which will retail for $295, consists of three components: the VideoDirector Suite Software, which includes VideoDirector, Title Editor and Audio Editor; SmartCable, for connecting the PC’s serial port for controlling the camcorder and VCR; and StudioMixer, a video processor that connects the PC’s parallel port, camcorder and VCR. Features include: video editing; title and graphics; special effects; audio editing; video snapshots; and a clip media library. VideoDirector Studio will begin shipping February 21.
Correction – Newfire – Heat Available in March
In our last issue (#702), in our story on Newfire Inc. (formerly Axial Systems) we stated that Heat, their VRML 2.0 player and authoring tool, was available now. Since then we have been contacted by Newfire and been informed that Heat will actually not be available on their Web site until March. Once the exact date is determined, we will inform the readers of WAVE.
This week in France at the Milia 97 presentation, Apple Computer publicly displayed the first DVD-ROM Macintosh prototype, and announced that the first available DVD-ROM Macs would appear as early as the end of the year.
Division Introduces Two New 3D VR Modules
Division Inc. has introduced two new modules to their integrated Universal Virtual Product line. dv/Pilot, which is available as a plug-in for Netscape Navigator and Microsoft IE, is an entry-level 3D Web player for viewing virtual environments created with dVISE modules. dv/MockUp is an interactive design module that “enables designers and engineers to create a full-scale virtual mock-up of a product.” Both new products will be available later this spring; dv/Pilot will be available free for downloading from Division’s Web site, while dv/MockUp will be available for $10,000.
Progressive Networks User Conference in March
Progressive Networks, the makers of the popular RealAudio Internet software, will be holding the first RealMedia Users Conference on March 3 & 4 at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco. The conference will feature hands-on experience with the RealMedia architecture, Progressive’s technology for supporting multimedia applications over the Internet. Developers may register for the RealMedia User Conference for $695, which will cover access to all of the keynote speeches, exhibits, technology sessions and sneak previews. Registration can be done online or by calling Progressive Networks at:
800/765-3705
Sony Community Place Offered For OEM Sales
Sony Corp. has announced that their Community Place VRML 2.0 software is now being offered in the U.S. on an OEM basis to Internet/intranet system integrators, service providers, 3D graphics vendors, PC companies and others. It is being offered as a bundle that includes both the browser software and multi-user server software, and can be purchased directly from Sony ITC in Japan. OEM prices are dependent on volume.
Currently Sony’s focus is on PC manufacturers and 3D board manufacturers, with the intent that Community Place will be bundled with PCs and 3D boards. Sony’s new home PC, PCV-100 and PCV-120, which are available in the U.S. market, bundle Community Place v.1.0. In addition, Imageworks (Sony Pictures Entertainment) has a team who develops the content for Community Place.
The browser software can currently be downloaded for free from the CP Web site at:
OEM customers wishing to inquire about purchasing CP can contact:
Fax: +81-466-30-4200
Email: cp-oem@sm.sony.co.jp
Microsoft – Multimedia Strategy Day Cancelled
Microsoft has cancelled this event which was announced in the last issue of WAVE (WAVE #702 2/3/97) and scheduled for 25 February. Microsoft has decided to roll out its strategy in other ways to the press and analysts.
Microsoft – Next Meltdown ’97 Event Scheduled
The next Meltdown will be held July 9–11 in Bellevue, Wash. For more information on registering, refer to the Microsoft Developer Web site at:
http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/meltdown.htm
This week 3D Labs released their Fourth Quarter and 1996 financial results:
Equilibrium has announced that DeBabelizer Pro 4.0 for Windows 95 and Windows NT is one of the first applications to be optimized for Intel’s MMX technology. As a result, Intel is using DeBabelizer Pro to showcase MMX at the MILIA multimedia trade show in Cannes, France.
703.2 Conference Report: ComNet by David Lohse
This year’s ComNet, which was held in Washington, D.C. from February 3- 6, was the 19th year of the conference and featured more than 500 different companies. Although the conference and trade show featured as many impressive displays as years past, there was a noticeable lack of exciting new technologies or advancements – there wasn’t much of a “buzz” about anything and not much of a feeling of moving forward.
While last year’s ComNet featured an obligatory Internet product or announcement from every major company in attendance, little of the Internet craze was visible this year, with only low-key Internet- related announcements. ATM was also stressed less than in previous years, replaced by the currently hot and upcoming xDSL technologies.
Keynote - Steve Forbes, Forbes, Inc.
The opening keynote speech, given by Steve Forbes, was reflective of the lackluster atmosphere that pervaded the conference. Although his talk was entitled “At the Crossroads of the Communications Technology Revolution – Where Do We Go From Here?”, he only briefly touched on telecommunications issues, and instead devoted the substantial portion of his talk to discussing his political views. He did, however, make several interesting points, and offered some insights into the relatively slow growth of the communications industry and technology. In particular, he summarize the problems the industry is facing into three primary points:
Here are some of the new products and announcements made at ComNet that may be of interest to WAVE’s readers. All of the press releases and press kits made available at ComNet (as well as MacWorld Expo) are also available online at:
http://www.virtualpressoffice.com/
Cubic VideoComm – Two New Video Compression Products
Cubic VideoComm Inc. introduced two new video compression products for intranets and the Internet: CvideoNow, a streamer for adding video to web sites, and CvideoNow-Live, a video capture/compression board and software for bringing live video to the desktop over data networks.
Diamond Lane Intoduces xDSL/ATM System
Diamond Lane Communications Corp. unveiled what they dubbed “the first fully integrated, high-speed, xDSL/ATM data access system for Internet users.” Called the Hitchhiker, the system initially uses ADSL over existing phone lines, splits the voice and data signals, and sends the data to a high-speed ATM network. It offers a 6 Mbps transmission rate, and can be used with a standard PC equipped with a PCI bus and running Windows 95, or though an Ethernet interface. Hitchhiker will be available later this summer.
Lucent and Multi-Tech’s 56K Modems
Lucent Technologies and Multi-Tech Systems Inc. announced several products based on Lucent’s 56 Kbps modem chip. The products include the CommPlete Communications Server for Internet and intranet remote access applications; a MultiModemZDX desktop modem; an internal ISA-bus MultiModemZPX; an internal PnP ISA-bus MultiModemZPW for Windows 95 use; and several voice mail models. The 56 Kbps chip solution designed by Lucent was submitted to a Telecommunications Industry Association standards committee for review on Jan. 23, and support from more than 400 companies has already been announced.
Orckit Communications unveiled their new SDSL modem, the ORmega SDSL, which provides data rates of up to 768Kbps symmetrically over the current copper infrastructure. It utilizes a “passive POTS splitter” which allows voice and data communications to be conducted simultaneously, and is rate adaptive according to distance.
New xDSL Products From Pairgain
PairGain Technologies Inc. introduced a suite of xDSL products, including their first ADSL modem, Rate Adaptive xDSL modems and Access Multiplexers. A summary of their new products:
| Product | Technology | Data Rate | Cost |
| Megabit Modem C1500 | ADSL | 1.6Mbps/64Kbps | $1,295 |
| Megabit Modem HRA | Rate Adaptive HDSL | 1Mbps | $1,595 |
| Megabit Modem CRA | Rate Adaptive CAP HDSL | 2.5Mbps/1Mbps | $1,695 |
All of these products will be available in mid-1997.
Group Videoconferencing From VCON
VCON Inc. announced their new Small Group Videoconferencing system, the ARMADA Monitor, which is an H.320-compliant rollabout system that provides up to 30 fps full-motion video at 384 Kbps. Three different configurations are available:
384 Kbps version with a 3xBRI interface with bonding $12,995 384 Kbps version with V.35 interface $10,995 128 Kbps version with single BRI $9,995
The ARMADA Monitor will be available at the end of February.
703.3 Microsoft – Meltdown Rolls Out Direct X 5.0 Alpha by John Latta
At Meltdown in Redmond, WA this week Microsoft released to attendees an alpha of the DirectX 5 Software Development Kit (SDK) which is focused on supporting developers for the 1997 holiday season. Final release is scheduled for June. Key new features include:
Direct 3D API enhancements. Draw Primitive is a polygon level service that bypasses the Direct3D execute buffers and passes polygon- level information directly to the 3-D hardware.
DirectSound 3D HAL. Provides the capability of accelerating 3-D audio spatialization in hardware.
DirectInput API Force Feedback. Developed specifically to control the newly available force feedback joysticks, giving realistic feedback to the user during game play.
Talisman Rendering Feature Support. For developing more realistic effects, these new services add support for sort-independent antialiasing (for eliminating ragged edges), anisotropic texture filtering (for eliminating blurring artifacts) and range-based fog (for eliminating variable fogging of objects).
703.4 Transom – New Company in Human Modeling and Simulation by John Latta
A new company has been launched with $3m in capitalization from a private first round investment. Transom’s charter is to “enhance, support and commercialize” the Jack software originally developed at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn). The company has received the worldwide exclusive perpetual rights to Jack. Over $14.5m has been invested in the development of Jack, in the form of grants and contracts, to the Center for Human Modeling and Simulation under Dr. Normal Badler at Penn. The software has been renamed Transom Jack. James Price is President, CEO and Director and Michael Young is VP for Product Management. Joining these founders are John Granieri and Michael Hollick from the Penn who have been responsible for architecting and developing the software for the last 5 years.
Transom Technologies, Inc. 201 South Main Street Suite 1000 Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (313)761-6001 (313)761-7003 FAX
info@transom.com
703.5 Interview – Tony Parisi, Intervista by John Latta
WAVE had an opportunity to interview Tony Parisi, a leading figure in the VRML community at the Moving Worlds conference. His views provided an interesting perspective in the development of VRML as a standard and the emergence of an industry around 3D on the Web.
Tony Parisi is President and CTO of Intervista Software. The combination of Intervista, as leading company in providing VRML software technology, and Tony, one of the creators of VRML 1.0, brings a unique background and perspective into both the past and future of VRML.
Tony feels that there is no longer a question about “…is VRML technology is real?” Version 2.0 goes a long way in providing a feature set to do “really good stuff.” Browsers supporting 2.0 will ship imminently thus providing a critical tool for the emergence of VRML 2.0 use. Yet, he sees much hard work ahead. In particular many more tools are needed and the ones that exist today are not tuned for the medium. Specifically tools are required which support specific VRML applications.
In response to the question – where is $ to be made in this new medium - Tony sees the conventional Internet business model where the player is given away and the content and tools are the revenue generators. In VRML the world view is also content. In terms of tools Tony sees those focused on vertical markets as beginning first because the users will pay more for content and tools focused on their needs. Horizontal tools will take off but after the initial vertical market needs are met.
There is a close parallel with the developments in software for multimedia. A feedback cycle will develop between the browser, tools and content. As the content improves there will be a greater demand for better browser engines and likewise for improvements in the tools to do better content. A natural progression for VRML products will be first loosely integrated bundles of products for vertical markets and then complete suites of tools. This follows closely the maturation of the multimedia tools market which is now coalescing on a suite strategy.
Tony also feels that VRML 2.0 represents barely a beginning. Yet, in order to launch a VRML industry, 2.0 must be kept stable and with stability the market will come together.
When asked about the role of 3D acceleration in raising the bar for VRML quality, Tony was cautious. He feels that 3D acceleration will not emerge for 12 – 18 months. The key is content and how this creates an immersive experience is more important that acceleration. Tony feels that this can be done today.
The VRML consortium is important for two reasons, as stated by Tony. First, it is a stabilizing force in the VRML community which makes it possible to be much more efficient for the participants. Second, it provides a vehicle for all players to have a stake in making VRML successful. As Tony stated, the consortium provides a vehicle which goes “beyond press releases and puts $ towards ties that bind” to form an industry.
Tony sees the next six months as being very important in the emergence of 3D on the Web. What is needed are “killer sites” which show the potential of this medium. As examples he cites Protoza, Constructs and Dive Bar.
http://www.construct.net/worlds/
703.6 Company Profile – ParaGraph International – A Russian company with a VRML Twist by John Latta
ParaGraph International, well known for its VRML products, brings an unusual approach to creating and delivering technology in the form of products for PCs and the Internet. WAVE visited ParaGraph and spoke with its President, Gregory Slayton and Leonid Kitainik, VP General Manager of the Consumer Division. The company has a thin management layer, many of which are American - the President, CFO and 3 VPs. There are only 10 individuals on the business side and the rest in technology. The core of the company is its 100 technologists, the vast majority being Russian. This provides what Gregory described as a very academic approach using highly educated individuals. Although they pride themselves in the depth of analytical abilities ParaGraph is focused on being 1st in products and not being academically blind to the market. Today the technical team is focused on VRML, however, the company began its work in handwriting recognition in a contract with Apple in 1991 for the Newton. Much of the technical talent is in Moscow which allows the company to have a significantly lower cost structure than its competitors. ParaGraph is unusual in that it has a direct satellite link to Moscow with an open T1 link between its offices.
ParaGraph’s business is divided into two parts: OEM business and products. Its OEM customers include Disney Online, which recently licensed both Internet 3D VR and digital ink technologies, and People World Company in Japan, which used similar technologies to launch the People Space service in Japan. On the product side ParaGraph sold 150,000 units of its Virtual Home Space Builder. In 1996 the company had sales of $6.2m and expects to exceed $10m in 1997.
When asked if money in VRML can be made Gregory responded with an emphatic yes. Likewise one wonders if the OEM business is the subsidy for the product business and he responded that making money in VRML is all about timing. ParaGraph has had bundling deals and “we got paid for all the units shipped.” Being a bootstrapped company Gregory counters that the real subsidies for technology comes from the venture capitalists – this is whose money is being spent to bring technology to market – and much of it is in the form of losses. According to ParaGraph, their approach is more difficult but it has worked for them.
ParaGraph also runs counter to the notion that successful companies, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area, are not technology driven but market driven. Gregory again dismisses the conventional logic by quoting Steve Wheelright of the Harvard Business school – “A check for $10m from a customer is the best market research one can do.” Again the OEM customers, who are licensing ParaGraph’s technology, are seen as the best validation of its mixture of technology and market pragmatism.
ParaGraph intends to continue its leadership position in VRML. Gregory is confident that by 2000 VRML will the foundation of a $1b market. He is not concerned about competition in such a large potential market. One way is that his company will maintain its products at the cutting edge of technology. In such an expansive market there is lots of room for Intervista, Dimension X and others.
Leonid Kitainik outlined his views of the role of the VRML Consortium. For the Consortium to be successful three things must be accomplished. First, the standard must be made acceptable to the industry and the masses. By masses he means the entertainment industry. To accomplish this there must be more evangelism for VRML and this can only be done by the Consortium and not single companies. Second, VRML must become a part of the family of Internet standards. This not only means being an ISO standard but a part of many standards. An example cited was RTP so that VRML fits into a push pull environment. Third, the VRML standard must reach the consumer level. This will only be accomplished through compelling applications. In addition, Leonid feels that educational uses of VRML will be very important. When asked if the Consortium will deliver on these expectations he is confident it can.
With this push to standards based solutions, how can ParaGraph differentiate sits products? First, Gregory feels that there is BIG room within the standard to be more efficient. He cited the ability of ParaGraph to accomplish a 30:1 VRML file size reduction. An example of how it is using its technology to drive VRML ParaGraph is working on the reference implementation of the binary VRML format.
When asked about the role of 3D acceleration in creating the $1b market Gregory is emphatic that ParaGraph intends to have it both ways. That is, using their own high level rendering engine they want to be the best low end software only renderer and at the same time conform to the existing platform APIs for acceleration – both OpenGL and Direct3D. For example, the new version of Internet3D Space Builder (ISB) supports Intel’s MMX technology.
Gregory Slayton sees the strength of the company being in three areas. First, the OEM accounts provide ParaGraph with market validation of their core technology. Second, these accounts provide cash flow and thirdly the company has its technical foundation in its people. Gregory sees his role in both building a team and providing a vision. He must also execute in the business relationships. To do this ParaGraph must have a customer perspective. He cites one of the major failures of individuals struck by the 3D and VRML technology is that they want to build the fantasy of Snow Crash. In his mind this is not reality – a company must have customers who are using your products and technology. ParaGraph will play its role by shaping industry standards and delivering products which leverage its technology strengths in those standards. ParaGraph intends to continue to lead the emerging VRML industry.
Copyright 1997 4th WAVE Inc.
May be redistributed in full for individual readership and posted to newsgroups, Web, and FTP sites. May not be reprinted or redistributed for profit. Short quotes are permitted but must be attributed to the WAVE Report on Digital Media.