The WAVE Report on Digital Media 3D --- Media Creation --- Shared Space Published by 4th Wave, Inc. Issue #720 8/15/97 --------------------------------------
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Notice to WAVE readers.
SIGGRAPH coverage went well beyond our e-mail length limits. Given that SIGGRAPH is the most important 3D conference of the year we have elected not to truncate the coverage. To remain timely we have broken this issue into two parts. The first issue, #719, is being sent today 8/13/97 and the second, #720, on Friday, 8/15/97. For those readers anxious to get the full story we will post both issues on our home page when #719 is released.
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CONTENTS
720.1 - SIGGRAPH Quick News by Christina Person and Jonathan Sunberg
Division Inc. Announces dV/WebFly Availability
Division Inc. announced the free availability of dV/WebFly, the first interactive web-based browser for Virtual Products. dV/WebFly allows Virtual Products, created by those using Division’s dVISE, to be used and interacted with by users over the Web. This will allow organizations to publicize and share information on how their products are assembled or maintained and how customers will use them. A free download of dV/WebFly will be available at the Web site.
HighRES Inc. Demonstrates HighRES 4.0
HighRES Inc. demonstrated their HighRES 4.0, an advanced replication software for reverse engineering in the Immersion Corporation booth. The software is for Windows NT/95. The toolset includes HighRES Studio, CADKEY from Baystate Technologies, FastSURF for FastSURF and an Immersion 3DX digitizer. Features include the HighRES SMART Find capability to locate points along a surface and data translators for data integrity and compatibility with other software solutions. Starting price for HighRES 4.0 for Windows is $2,995 for an entry level system and up to $15,000 for the Professional version. It is available through authorized dealers or directly through HighRES, Inc. at 619-459-1493.
Interactive Pictures Corporation Introduces IPIX Internet Camera Solution
Interactive Pictures Corporation introduced the IPIX Internet Camera Solution. It is a film-based camera kit for Internet developers and professional photographers to shoot and process their own IPIX images. The IPIX Internet Camera Solution includes a Pentax PZ-70 35mm film camera, a Bogen tripod with Interactive Pictures’ IPIX Rotator tripod attachment, an 8mm Sigma fisheye lens, a Pelican hardshell carrying case and an instructional video. IPIX software keys are used to publish an IPIX image and are offered in bundles of 10, 50, 100 or 1,000 starting at $50. While the list price for the IPIX camera kits is $1,995 for film-based packages, the IPIX Digital Camera Solution is priced up to $14,995.
Intervista Software Introduces Mac Version of WorldView 2.0
Intervista Software introduced the Macintosh Version of its WorldView 2.0 software, a Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) - based Internet browser. It runs as a native Netscape plug-in and will be available on Microsoft Internet Explorer. The features include support for VRML 2.0 specifications with Intervista’s functional and performance enhancements and QuickDraw3D for rendering. A public beta version is available immediately from the Intervista web site.
Evans & Sutherland Demonstrates 50% Increase in CDRS performance of REALimage 1000
The Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp. demonstrated a 50% increase in CDRS-benchmark performance of an enhanced version of REALimage 1000 graphics technology. The enhanced REALimage 1000 technology, which ran on PCI under Windows NT, produces scores exceeding 45 in ViewPerf CDRS benchmark tests on a 300MHz Pentium II system.
Intergraph Computer Systems Announces 100 CDRS Viewperf Score for TDZ 2000
Intergraph Computer Systems announced a Viewperf CDRS score of 100 for its Windows NT-based TDZ 2000 3D Graphics Workstation. The TDZs are powered by a single and dual 300 MHz Pentium II processors and feature Intergraph’s RealiZm II OpenGL 3D graphics with DirectBurst technology. The first models achieved a 65 frames per second Viewperf CDRS-03 score which out performs SGI’s Octane workstations. The TDZ 2000 workstations will achieve a Viewperf CDRS score of 100 by the end of the year. The new TDZ 2000s start at $10,495, less than half the cost of SGI’s, and will be available in October.
Hewlett Packard PC Workstation Achieves CDRS-03 Score Exceeding 100
The Hewlett Packard PC Workstations with VISUALIZE graphics and Pentium II processor-based had a CDRS-03 score of more than 100. The HP Workstation score doubled the graphics performance of SUN’s high-end Ultra-2 2300 workstation with Creator3D graphics. As a result, the HP workstation can perform tasks that previously required high-end UNIX system workstations. The HP PC Workstations are expected to be available this fall and cost less than $20,000.
Hewlett Packard’s DirectModel Toolkit Demonstrated
A number of companies had ISV demonstrations of HP’s DirectModel toolkit. Some of the companies used the toolkit to demonstrate their products like CoCreate Software with its software featuring SolidDesigner, Engineering Animation and its VisProducts software and EDS Unigraphics demo which displayed Web pages. Prosolvia Systems AB demonstrated a "digital plant" application for manufacturing robots and assembly lines, while Resolution Technologies exhibited the VirtualView 3D viewer to read DirectModel toolkit data files. SensAble Technologies displayed its 3-D Touch technology, Spatial Technology demonstrated a tool for converting ACIS solid models to HP DirectModel toolkit format and Template Graphics Software exhibited.
Intergraph Computer Systems announces Intense 3D Pro 2200 [August 5]
Intergraph Computer Systems’ Consumer Products Division announced Intense 3D Pro 2200, the newest 3D graphics add-in card in its Intense 3D Pro series. The card, which is based on Intergraph’s RealiZm 3D technology, is available for Windows NT-based PCs or workstations. Intense 3D Pro 2200 offers OpenGL performance and is available for $2,399 through Intergraph’s factory-direct channel, direct sales force, resellers, and OEMs. With the introduction of Intense 3D Pro 2200, Intergraph has also reduced the price of Intense 3D Pro 1000 at $1,666.
http://www.cocreate.com/cocreate/
Engineering Animation Inc. Announces Windows 95/NT Version of VisFly and Bundling with HP
Engineering Animation Inc. announced the Windows 95/NT version of VisFly product visualization software and a Windows NT version of VisMockUp digital prototyping software. Users of the VisFLy 2.0 can interact with product models in 3D, while VisMockUp 2.0 builds on VisFly by adding analysis functions. Both are powered by DirectModel, a model rendering toolkit EAI developed with Hewlett Packard.
EAI also announced that Hewlett Packard will bundle thousands of its new HP Unix workstations with their VisFly 3D product visualization software. This 3D viewer is made up of different CAD data including Pro/ENGINEER, IDEAS Master Series and Solid Designer.
3D Construction Company Introduces 3D Builder Pro 3.0
The 3D Construction Company introduced its new 3D Builder Pro Version 3.0, a photogrammetry software which builds 3D models from photographs with photo realistic textures. 3D Builder Pro 3.0 features CAD style modeling tools for shapes and curves and with the automatic camera orientation, 3D project setups are faster. 3D Builder Pro 3.0 currently supports Windows 95/NT 4.0 and 3.51 and Windows 3.1 platforms. It is available from 3D Construction for $695.
Diamond Multimedia Fire GL 4000 Accelerator Chosen by Several Companies
Several companies have chosen the Diamond Multimedia Fire GL 4000 Accelerator.
Siemems Nixdorf Informationssysteme AG has selected the Fire GL 4000 for its SCENIC Celsius workstations. It is an Intel Pentium II processor-based system for animation, simulation, visualization and mechanical CAD applications using Microsoft Windows NT. Micron Electronics Inc. chose the Fire GL 4000 for its Micron Powerdigm XLI high-end workstations. The Powerdigm systems have dual Pentium Pro processors, Windows NT 4.0 and a SCSI host adapter to provide CAD users and 3D animators with improved connection capability and performance. In addition, Compaq Computer Corporation chose the Fire GL 4000 accelerator for the Compaq Professional Workstation 6000 and 8000 multi-processor systems. The 6000 features a single 266 MHz or 300 MHz Pentium II processor and the 8000 features dual 200 MHz Pentium Pro processors.
The Diamond Fire GL 4000 is made up of a rendering processor based on Evans and Sutherland’s REALimage technology, 3D-RAM frame buffer memory from Mitsubishi, and Mitsubishi’s Cached DRAM.
Micron Electronics, Inc. has also selected the Fire GL 1000 and Fire GL 3000 for the Micron Powerdigm Xli, a new line of high-end workstations. The Powerdigm Xli workstation is a dual 200MHz Pentium Pro-based system. The Diamond Fire GL 1000 is upgradeable to 8MB of SGRAM and offers 3D rendering, hardware texture mapping and geometry acceleration. It also offers CAD applications in Windows NT/95. The Diamond Fire GL 3000 adds 32-bit Z-buffering with memory upgradeability to 40MB (8MB VRAM + 32MB DRAM).
auto·des·sys Inc. Announces formZ 3D Synthesizer Version 2.9.5
auto·des·sys, Inc. announced that the formZ 3D synthesizer will have added features in version 2.9.5. The features include OpenGL, DWG and VRML 2.0. Also added is Radiosity, a high level of photorealistic rendering and 3D Digitizing. According to autodessys this version will be released in October. Retail price is to be determined.
Matrox Ships DigiSuite Boardsets
Matrox announced the shipping of Matrox DigiSuite boardsets. The Matrox DigiSuite boardset is the basis for workstations that runs on the latest Windows NT software. DigiSuite features include 3D animation recording, video compositing and broadcast titling. For a complete kit that runs Inscriber CG Supreme, DigiSuite is priced at $4220, while a complete kit that runs NLE, animation and compositing applications is priced at $9995. The product is available through Matrox authorized video product dealers.
in:sync corporation and Matrox Introduce Version 4.0RT of Speed Razor
in:sync corporation and Matrox Video Products Group introduced the Version 4.0RT of in:sync Speed Razor. It is a non-linear editing software for Windows NT which offers uncompressed D1 video quality, realtime A/B roll and graphics editing, 48 KHz DAT audio quality and over 100 real time wipe, tile and dissolve transition effects. The Speed Razor 4.0RT is expected to ship in mid-September and is priced at $5,000.
Nichimen Graphics Introduces Windows NT Port of N·World
Nichimen Graphics introduced the first Windows NT port of N·World integrated software suite for 3D graphics and animation. Along with the announcement was a 40% price reduction of N·World from $16,995 to $9,995. N·World features 2D and 3D painting and texturing tools, photo-realistic render and material editor used in interactive games like "Super Mario" and "Enemy Zero."
Curve Inc. and Microsoft Corp. Announce Partnership for VRML 2.0 Authoring Tools CD
Curve Inc. has announced its partnership with Microsoft to produce VRML 2.0 Authoring Tools CD and to distribute it free of charge. The CD showcases tools and sample content from over 20 VRML developers and reinforces Microsoft’s commitment to widening the VRML 2.0 specification to support interactive content developers. The CD contains demos, betas, and full versions of software. Also included are VRML 2.0 products. On the CD are 3D VRML graph and database visualizations, tools for editing VRML 2.0 and associated languages and texture libraries of standard JPEG images. It can be used with Windows NT and Windows 95 operating systems. The final version is available on the Microsoft Web site.
Quantum3D and Mango Grits Form Partnership
Quantum3D Inc. and Mango Grits, Inc. have announced a partnership for the Mango Grits use of Quantum3D Obsidian real time 3D graphics accelerators and Game Control Interface (GCI) products for motion-based LBE deployment and PC-based coin-op 3D games. Quantum3D will also include a demo version of Mango Grit’s "Barrage" with some models of Obsidian graphics boards. The Obsidian family of 3D graphics accelerators is based on configurations of 3Dfx Interactive’s Voodoo Graphics chipset and are optimized for running exclusive-mode applications under Microsoft’s Direct3D, OpenGL and 3Dfx’s Interactive Glide.
Alias|Wavefront Demonstrates Maya
Alias|Wavefront, a subsidiary of Silicon Graphics, Inc., demonstrated its 3D animation software product, Maya, and announced the development plans for Maya on Microsoft Windows NT. The software is currently installed and being beta tested at about 50 customer sites worldwide. Shipping will begin in early ’98 for the IRIX version of Maya and pricing and packaging will be comparable to the PowerAnimator product. Prices for the NT version are planned to be the same as the IRIX version.
Alias|Wavefront Announces Availability of Plug-ins and New Conductors
Alias|Wavefront also announced the availability of the new SuperConductor plug-in, more than 150 SemiConductor plug-ins and seven new Conductors. Particle Replacer is the newest SuperConductor plug-in and works as a plug-in for PowerAnimator. It retails for $495. Alias|Wavefront has also added new hardware plug-in developers in the Conductors Program. New Conductors introduced include FiLMBOX, LIFEsource, CYSLice and PuppetWorks. The Alias|Wavefront Conductors Program offers extended product support and functionality to its customers through software plug-ins which include specialized effects, translators and workflow enhancing utilities.
Alias|Wavefront and Physical Effects Develop 3D Software
Alias|Wavefront and Physical Effects, Inc. announced an agreement to develop 3D software that stimulates clothing dynamics. Users will be able to realistically animate the behavior of cloth.
PLATINUM Technology Announces VRCreator
PLATINUM announced the availability of VRCreator, an authoring tool to create interactive 3D content for the Web, intranets and stand-alone computers. Virtual Reality Modeling Language(VRML) 2.0 is the basis of VRCreator. There is a VRCreator 2.0 Learning Edition available at no cost at the PLATINUM Web site while the Personal Edition will be available in October for $129.
PLATINUM Technology Signs Agreement with 22 OEM Partners
PLATINUM Technology has signed and agreement with 22 OEM partners to bundle their 3D authoring and viewing tools. The PLATINUM VRML tools are PLATINUM WIRL and PLATINUM VRCreator. Graphics card manufactures who will be bundling PLATINUM’s VRML tools include ATI Technologies, Matrox Graphics Inc. and Zion Multimedia.
Lightscape Technologies Announces Lightscape 3.1 Upgrade and Ships Volumes 2 and 3 of Lightscape Libraries
Lightscape Technologies announced the Lightscape 3.1 upgrade with scheduled availability on August 27th. The upgrade adds performance improvements from Lightscape 3.0 including increased speeds, enhanced interactive usability and interface features. Lightscape 3.1 requires an Intel Pentium computer or compatible as well as Microsoft 95/NT 4.0 or Windows 3.51. Lightscape 3.1 for Windows NT/95 will be selling for $495(US) while the upgrade to Lightscape 3.1 from Lightscape 3.0 is $99.95(US).
Lightscape also announced the shipping of Volumes 2 and 3 of the Lightscape Libraries program. The libraries offer a large selection of "Lightscape-ready" elements used to build models and assemble scenes for real-world 3D designs. Volume 2 includes exterior architectural flood lights from Bega while volume 3 features interior recessed "downlights" from Kurt Versen. The suggested list price for each volume is $99.95.
Caligari Corporation Announces trueSpace3 Update
Caligari Corporation announced the update to trueSpace3, which is available for download at the Caligari Web site for registered trueSpace3 users. Features of trueSpace3.1 include Vertex Level Animation, support for Adobe plug-ins, DirectX Output and Animation Preview. TrueSpace3 requires 486/DX CPU (Pentium preferred), Windows 95/NT, 16 MB of RAM and at least 15 MB of free hard disk space. A full version of trueSpace3 retails for $795.
LightWork Design Introduces LighWorks 4.0
LightWork Design introduced LightWorks 4.0, a photo-realistic rendering software toolkit that includes new animation features. LightWorks 4.0 features include lens flares, field rendering, motion blur and atmospheric rendering. LightWorks 4.0 is scheduled to be available Q4 1997. The Lightworks Application Development System (ADS) is a dominant API worldwide for single-frame photo-realistic rendering. Software applications using the LightWorks rendering engine include ray-trace plug-in for 3D Studio MAX from Kinetix and other products from SolidWorks and EDS Unigraphics. The LightWorks ADS is available for all platforms including all Microsoft Windows, UNIX platforms and Macintosh sytems. Prices range from $25 to $500 per user depending on the technology packages and volumes selected.
3NAME3D Introduces Additions to Model Library
3NAME3D introduced the new additions to their new model library. Volumes 13, 14 and 15 of CYBERPROPS, a library of low resolution polygonal 3D models, contain over 1,500 original models. Models are sold in volumes of over 100 for $49.95 for each volume. The HIRES COLLECTION is a collection of polygonal models for broadcast and film that are sold as collections or individually. Prices for the models begin at $45.00 each. Other products introduced were VRMLprops, 3D models for VRML worlds, and The REAL TIME COLLECTION, low poly count and optimized textures for 3D simulation. Both products are sold in sets of 5 models for $49.95. Finally, the NURBS COLLECTION, models in Alias ver8.0 format for modeling and animation, have prices starting at $49.00.
Adaptive Media Introduces Envision 3D
Adaptive Media introduced Envision 3D, a network-based, 3D streaming software solution which delivers 3D models over corporate intranet and extranets. This will help the CAD design community offer 3D models to their audiences without expensive PC upgrades, slow rendering times and long download times. With Envision 3D users can access 3D information 15 to 20 times faster than traditional download-and-view methods.
Viewpoint DataLabs Introduces Freedom Subscription Program, Autumn ’97
Viewpoint DataLabs International Inc. introduced the Freedom Subscription program for licensing content in its Premier 3D model archive. Customers can define up to 100 Premier models with 12 months to make selections. Freedom Subscription is an extension of Freedom Collection which allow customers to build collections of 3D models which match exact requirements. Subscribers of the program have 12 months to license 20, 50 or 100 models from the Viewpoint Autumn ’97 Premier Catalog and DataShop Premier CD-ROM, priced at $4,995, $9,995 and $14,995 respectively.
Viewpoint also announced the release of Autumn ’97 Premier library of 3D models. The library is presently available through the Autumn ’97 Premier Catalog and Autumn ’97 DataShop Premier CD-ROM. The library contains 10,000 unique 3D models, including more than 1,000 NURBS models. The Premier Catalog and DataShop are priced at $29.00 if purchased together, or $19.95 purchased separately. They will be available for purchase from Viewpoint or other authorized dealers.
Viewpoint Builds 3D Digital Version of "Godzilla" for Centropolis
Viewpoint DataLabs also announced that Centropolis Entertainment has chosen them to build the 3D digital version of the 1998 feature "Godzilla." Viewpoint was chosen for their past projects involving 3D models and complex characters. Other projects Viewpoint has worked on include "Air Force One" and "Batman & Robin."
Omni Q Inc unveils AIST MediaMania 3.0
Omni Q Inc. demonstrated its newest version of MediaMania at Siggraph ’97. The new 3.0 version, available at the end of the year, includes manipulation of objects in true 3D space with Open GL power and scalability. Like AIST’s current product, MediaMania 2.1, the compositing and animation program will be available for Windows 3.11, 95, and NT. Pricing has not yet been announced, but a free demo version is available on AIST’s website.
VRML Consortium announces Widespread Support for VRML at SIGGRAPH 97 [August 4]
At a press conference at SIGGRAPH 97, the VRML Consortium announced widespread support and momentum behind VRML 2.0. Among the companies who have embraced the standard are 3Dlabs Inc., Apple Computer, IBM, Intel, Intervista Software, Microsoft, Netscape, S3, Cosmo, and Sony Corp. The VRML Consortium also announced that VRML is undergoing an evaluation from ANSI/ISO and is expected to receive certification as an international standard by the fourth quarter of this year.
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720.2 – Conference Report – SIGGRAPH – Part II by John Latta
SIGGRAPH is about 3D technology. It is a unique conference because it blends the academic with business. 3D has become mainstream technology. SIGGRAPH also is a broad brush across the emerging industry – like a COMDEX of 3D. We expect that vertical and niche conferences will also be important forums for technology and market visibility. Examples include: Autofact for CAD/CAD and virtual manufacturing, E3 for entertainment and WinHEC for chips.
720.2.1 DisneyQuest Announced with a First Installation in Summer 1998 by John Latta
With one broad stroke Disney announced their entry into regional entertainment. Disney and SGI used the SGI booth on Thursday to roll-out DisneyQuest. This entertainment concept combines innovation, design, technology and story telling. There will be 20 produced games of which three were announced. These include a virtual Jungle Cruse, a "Design Your Own" Roller Coaster and an updated Aladdin ride. 3D graphics will be done exclusively on SGI Onyx2 computers and each location will have from 20 - 25 Onyx2 computers. At the announcement Disney credited SGI with having the only system capable of the quality of story telling which they require.
In the next several weeks an announcement will be made on TeamQuest, the DisneyQuest outside developer program.
The first installation (100,000 square feet) will be in Orlando in the summer of 1998 at the Walt Disney World Resort. The second installation will be in Chicago (90,000 square feet) and open in the summer 1999. Each facility will have 5 levels. The maximum capacity of a facility will be 1,300 to 1,500 guests. Disney stated that they are sensitive to the public's lack of tolerance for waiting in line in a local venue - DisneyQuest will not be like a theme park with endless lines. Thus, they will limit the flow into the facility and the purchase of smart cards will gate the number entering. Disney stated that there will be both a gate fee, which was described as a small admission charge, and individual rides will have their own fees. It is expected that the guest will have a 2 - 3 hour experience. A premise in the design is to create circulation in the facility. A key element in both the concept and design is Disney's view that DisneyQuest is about a social experience – the concept is centered around creating a social environment. The emphasis at DisneyQuest will be on a family venue compared to a more adult oriented Dave & Busters, for example.
When entering the facility all guests pass through the Ventureport. This is a crossroads into four entertainment environments: the Explore Zone which is a virtual adventureland; the Score Zone which is a competition centered environment; the Create Zone to emulate "Imagineering" for creative self expression and invention and the Replay Zone which is like a carnival on the moon including classic rides and games. Food is provided in two venues: Wired Wonderland Cafe which has an Internet-based attraction and FoodQuest, operated by The Cheesecake Factory.
A smart card will be used which has been developed in conjunction with American Express. Hughes-JVC will provide video and graphics projection systems and Tandem the server for the smart cards and Internet-based attraction. Tandem will also be the primary content provider for the DisneyQuest web site.
Disney has created a new subsidiary, Disney Regional Entertainment, to foster this market. This subsidiary will have responsibilities beyond DisneyQuest and it already includes the family play centers called the Club Disney. The first site was opened in Thousand Oaks, CA in February 1997. Other venues are to include sports concepts and interactive entertainment venues. Disney expects to open 20 - 30 DisneyQuest locations worldwide.
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720.2.2 SGI Lowers Prices and Contemplates a Windows NT Workstation by John Latta
SGI came to the show high from excellent 4th Quarter results – its first $1b quarter. At SIGGRAPH it announced price cuts on Octane power desktop workstations with an entry point of $19,995. There are now 14 configurations that range in price from $19,995 to $55,495. They also announced performance improvements on the O2 workstation products. This product has 9 configurations whose price begins at $5,995 and goes to $15,495.
The show floor was abuzz with the non-announcement of SGI’s planned Windows NT workstation based on an Intel processor. There were conflicting stories when this would be rolled out, with many estimating that it would be before the end of the year. At the WAVE Report we expect that this will be one of the most important announcements the company has ever made. Such a product has the potential to directly impact the Octane product line. Thus, the positioning of the product and its 3D performance will set the stage for how the company will compete against not only its own products but others in the Windows market. Further, an SGI Windows platform is critical in maintaining its position as a single vendor supplying 3D animation solutions (both hardware and software) to professionals when Maya for NT is released.
Silicon Graphics, Inc. introduced WebFORCE 0˛ authoring and serving system, which includes Adobe Premiere and Progressive Networks RealAudio and RealVideo. The WebFORCE O˛ systems already include Web authoring tools, like Cosmo software suite, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Kai’s Power Tools. The WebFORCE O˛ 200MHZ MIPS RISC R5000 system will be available in early fall and is priced at $10,495. The WebFORCE Origin 200 system is currently available and is priced at $12,995 for the base configuration. The WebFORCE MediaBase 2.0 server software is priced at $2,000 for 10 concurrent users to $50,000 for 500 current users and is currently available.
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720.2.3 E&S Announces the REALimage 2000 chip set by John Latta
E&S announced its second generation 3D chip set, the REALimage 2000. E&S will continue to be linked to Mitsubishi as the suppliers of the product. The first chip, now being sold as the 1000, was done at .5 micron process technology and with the 2000 they go to .35 micron. The 2000 is not directly available through E&S, due to the relationship with Mitsubishi. E&S indicated that the 1000 is currently selling in the $250 - $300 range and will likely remain the same with the 2000 when it is released.
We see the following as important components of the design and/or performance:
Both an L1 (on chip) and L2 (off chip) texture caches with up to 64MB of texture memory
Pixel depth of 96 bits - 32 bit RGBA, 8 bit overlay with 4 bit stencil, 4 bit window ID and 24 bit Z-buffer
Integrated 2D and 3D graphics engines
2M Primitives/sec
Pixel Rates: Trilinear MIPMapped - 30Mp/sec
APIs: OpenGL, Direct3D and Heidi
Frame Buffer in 3D-RAM Embedded RAMDAC PCI or AGP
Interface Screen Resolutions: 1280 X 1024 X 32 bits at 85 Hz Frame Buffer: up to 15MB
Also shown in the booth was their Cyber Fighter. This is based on a electric 2DOF platform. The cost is $45K/seat.
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720.2.4 E&S Entertainment Technology Installed in Six New Locations by John Latta
The Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp. has announced the installation of its CyberFighter and VirtualGlider systems in six new locations. The new locations include The United Artists Theatres Starport Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, SCORE Virtual Sportsworld in Vancouver, British Columbia and Laser Storm Family Entertainment Center in Grand Junction, Colorado. In the VirtualGlider system, players are suspended like real hang glider pilots in a virtual reality futuristic city. Players of the CyberFighter fly in a computer-generated environment where jet fighter pilots engage in aerobatics or aerial dogfights.
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720.2.5 Quantum3D by John Latta
Quantum3D's objective is to be the price performance leader in the advanced visual computing marketplace. The WAVE Report spoke to Ross Smith, one of the founders of 3Dfx, and now the VP of Marketing at Quantum 3D. To implement its objective Quantum3D is focused on leveraging its experience with Voodoo technology and close relationship with 3Dfx, however, the Quantum3D is not restricted to only systems that use the Voodoo chip. Quantum3D has picked up both the card market (Obsidian) and some of the systems market from 3Dfx. This has allowed 3Dfx to focus on its core market of building chips and not conflict with 3rd parties who are seeking to also build cards.
The Quantum3D both was full of 3rd party solutions from arcade games to software tool developers. Quantum3D was optimistic about the coin-op business as a new market for the PC. They see the recent efforts by Intel and Microsoft in the arcade market as having an impact. One game, Ultimate Racer, will be on sale at AMOA in one month. In the booth they also had the game Turok by Acclaim running on both a 3Dfx Voodoo Rush card using D3D and N64. The PC image quality was superior, in part, do to the non-interlaced PC display. In another example of where Voodoo was being applied, Renault was showing a 3 screen truck driving simulator.
Quantum3D is also selling software and it is the exclusive distributor for Gemini OpenGVS. At SIGGRAPH it was also announced that Quantum3D will have an exclusive agreement for RealiStormSE for the Obsidian3DS products. RealiStormSE allows users to work within products such as 3D Studio MAX, AutoCAD and MicroStation to preview and interact with models. This plug-in allows for walk throughs, AVI file recording and data import to the host application from RealiStorm.
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720.2.6 Datapath Announces Next Version of RealiMation and Product Family
Datapath announced version 4.2 of RealiMation which is due at the end of August. This version will support DirectX 5.0 and VRML 2.0 import and export.
The product family now includes the following:
RealiMation VSG Developer Tools $9,900 Tools for the creation of real time 3D applications
RealiMation Space Time Editor – Designer Edition $$1,495 The professional CAD Visualization Tool w/RealiStorm
RealiMation Space Time Editor – Professional Edition $499 VRML and 3D scene creation and authoring tool
RealiView Free Viewer program for RealiBases the data base format of RealiMation
The company also announced the opening of RealiMation, Inc. which is the US representative for DataPath. This office begins with Vince Robinson as VP for Sales and Marketing.
RealiMation Inc.
2880 Zanker Road
Suite 203
San Jose, CA 95134
(408)432-7221
(408)432-7235 FAX
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720.2.7 Kinetix Announces Release 2 of 3D Studio Max with 1,000 New Features by John Latta
Kinetix had its worldwide debut of 3D Studio MAX R2 at SIGGRAPH. It is a 3D animation and modeling solution that supports Microsoft’s implementation of OpenGL as well as the Direct3D graphics API. New features of 3D Studio MAX R2 include NURBS modeling, rendering advances like raytracing and lens effects, flexible, real-time Inverse Kinematics and the MAX plug-in development kit. Enhancements of MAX R2 include mesh modeling, baycentric morphing and the ability to manipulate UV mapping assignments directly. Other companies contributed to the MAX R2 technology as well. Included in the list is Blur Studio’s ray-tracer, Digimation’s LenZFX and John Wainwright’s MAXScript technology. 3D Studio MAX R2 is scheduled to be available this fall with a list price of $3,495 for a single-user license.
We regard this software as one of the highlights for the conference. It was only 2 years ago that 3D Studio MAX was announced at SIGGRAPH. Slightly over a year after it was shipping R2 is coming with 1000 new features. At the news conference announcing the product, Kinetix described how it polled MAX users and came up with 1,000 requested features. Proudly they claimed all were included. A significant accomplishment. Kinetix claimed that MAX is the "best at any price and on any platform." Max is being targeted at the broadcast and film markets.
Kinetix also stated that its unit shipments, of all products, are up 52% and the revenues up 37%. Last year Kinetix contributed $30m in revenue to Autodesk, its parent company. In March 1997 Kinetix announced that 25,000 units of MAX had shipped and since that time the number of units has risen significantly (no unit numbers were given).
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720.2.8 3Dlabs Targets New Price Point for Professional 3D Cards and Announces Design Wins and Partnerships by John Latta
3Dlabs announced a new GLINT TX Gold processor based on a bundle of the 500TX and Delta processors. Two companies announced boards based on the chip set: Leadtek with the WinFast 3D L2500 and STB with the Glyder TX Gold, both for under $995.
3Dlabs also announced design wins and partnership development with its customers. Included on the list was Gateway, who plans to enter the personal workstation market in the fourth quarter of ’97 with AccelGraphics. They will manufacture and develop graphic sub-systems and related software based on 3Dlabs technology. Diamond Multimedia introduced their Fire GL 1000 Pro which is based on the 3Dlabs PERMEDIA 2 graphics processor. ELSA’s introduction of its Gloria XL was based on 3Dlabs’ GLINT MX and GLINT Delta. The Omnicomp Graphics Corporation line of 3Demon MX and 3Divine graphics systems were all based on 3Dlabs’ GLINT MX and GLINT Delta. In addition, their 3Divine entry-level workstation line was based on the PERMEDIA 2 graphics processor. Finally, Sony Corporation demonstrated "T3Dsfx", a prototype product of 3D and video technologies which was based on GLINT MX and GLINT Delta as well.
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720.2.9 OpenGL and SGI Focuses on the Windows Platform by John Latta
SGI announced its commitment to OpenGL on both Widows 95 and Windows NT. It will be supplying a Device Driver Kit (DDK) for OpenGL acceleration on both Windows OSs. This is equivalent of the ICD being supplied by Microsoft on Windows NT. In response to a question, Shawn Hopwood, Manager of Product Marketing for Graphic APIs indicated that no decision has been made on an MCD for Windows 95. It is their strong preference that this be done in conjunction with Microsoft, however, if it become necessary SGI will do an MCD. The key point that SGI wants to make with its Windows OpenGL initiative is that OpenGL should be about choice and not market segmentation. Developers should be able to use OpenGL based on the value it has to their application, even if this includes games, and not be forced to make a choice that is driven by how Microsoft seeks to segment the market. SGI stressed it is their desire to work with Microsoft to make OpenGL widely available.
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720.2.10 Ndimension Shows a New Real Time 3D Application - SimStudio by John Latta
NDimension Simulations showed for the first time its product SimStudio. This is a tool for the construction, testing, execution and maintenance of real time 3D simulations. They have extended the Windows interface to simulator model development including drag and drop functionality. The mouse and window integration was excellent. The software runs on Windows 95 and NT and supports OpenGL, Direct3D and Glide. The suite of tools includes: an Integrated Development Environment (IDE), a C++ API and the Real Time Simulation Executive (RTSX). Model formats of 3D Studio and Multigen OpenFlight are supported. The software has mechanisms for integrating fuzzy logic, neural networks and rule execution systems. The software comes with standard plug-ins that support both sophisticated dynamics and AI agents. Some of the features included are: model conversion, model optimization, an auto-build facility to automatically update models, data storage and security features, levels of detail, constraints, materials and texture processing, scenario construction, user defined state models for dynamics and AI, lights, viewpoint control, collision detection, picking and ranging, rendering, performance management, DIS support and sound including support for spatial sound via the Microsoft DirectSound API.
The software will ship by the end of September and cost $3,995.
e-mail: simstudio@ndimension.com
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720.2.11 Dell Moves into the Workstation Market with 3D by John Latta
Just before the conference Dell announced its entry into the workstation market. The company has become one to fear in its ability to combine the direct sales model with on-line sales and build-on-demand capability. Dell has 75% of its business in corporate America. At SIGGRAPH they highlighted their entry into the workstation business. Dell is setting up a work force to support this market and the needs of the vertical market segments. Dell stated at the news conference - they see a huge upside in the workstation market by combining Intel based systems with 3D. Their target is to underprice other Intel based workstations by 20% to 30% and the traditional UNIX RISC machines by 50% to 70%. In a dig at the rest of the exhibitors Dell stated that most of the exhibitors do not openly discuss pricing "we pass out sheets with our prices." 3Dlabs got the design win with Elsa Gloria-M Glint MX cards. They intend to have only a 10 day lead time on systems.
Their 2D CAD workstation is priced at $3899, the next level up is a 300MHz Pentium II priced at $7,079 and the high end 3D system goes for $8,279.
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720.2.12 Hitachi America Introduces 3D Graphics Subsystem for Windows NT by John Latta
Hitachi American announced the availability of its SPHERIX 3D graphics subsystem for Windows NT. The performance specifications include:
Polygon Rate: to 3mp/sec
Fill Rate: to 320mp/sec
Geometry Processing - Based on DEC Alpha Chips
API Support: OpenGL Geometry Processors: 1 - 4
Rendering Managers: 1 - 4 (80Mp/s to 320Mp/s)
RGBA: 8 bits each
Texture Memory: up to 16MB
Display List Memory: 64MB to 128MB
Resolution Output: 1024 X 768 to 1920 X 1080 or 1600 X 1200
A configurable tower subsystem, the SPHERIX accelerates and enhanced graphics performance of Digital Alpha NT, Pentium Pro and Pentium II systems running OpenGL and Windows NT applications. Hitachi and Sense8 have a marketing relationship to deliver the Windows NT 3D graphics platform.
Sample pricing for 2 Geometry Processors, 2 Rendering Managers with 8MB of Texture Memory and 64MB of OpenGL display list memory for $38,230. Performance is quoted as 1.5mp/s and 160Mp/s.
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720.2.13 Trimension Shows Displays for Immersive Environments by John Latta
Tucked away in the lower floor of the convention center was Trimension. This firm, headquartered in England, and with offices in Avondale, PA, has a range of products for 3D displays. Their products include a Reality Room and Virtual Domes. The focus of these products is to allow multiple individuals to work cooperatively on a single display. The booth had a small Reality Room whose image was formed by three projectors that was curved and covered approximately 180 degrees in the field-of-view. The result was impressive. A typical room for 3 - 4 costs $200,000. Application markets include: technical communications, oil/gas, automotive and design for entertainment. Displays that support up to 200 to 500 individuals have been built. Trimension describes their displays as best suited for collaborative interaction where multiple individuals participate. In contrast to the Cave and Desk products that operate in stereo and typically include tracking the Trimension products are focused on visually immersive design where the image surrounds the participants. The volume of the Trimension products is approximately 3 units/month and 70% of the sales are in the US.
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720.2.14 Multigen Announces Creatorm, SmartScene 1.2 and MultiGen GO by John Latta
Extending its core real time 3D modeling technology Multigen has announced a Windows NT product Creator. This is a modeler intended for the real time 3D market and it includes an open API to allow others to extend the product. At the WAVE Report we see this as an important extension to the MultiGen suite of products in that it extends the leading real time 3D modeler into the Windows NT market. Included is the source code for a Direct 3D viewer. The cost is $9,500 and will be available in November. A Power Option costs $3,000, a BSP option is $2,500 and Terrain Option is $10,000.
Smart Scene, the 3D assembly application program has been upgraded to version 1.2. It runs only on the SGI platform. This new version includes support for Plug-Ins. The upgraded version is shipping now at prices beginning at $10,000.
MultiGen, Inc. has announced MultiGen GO, an integrated solution for real-time image generation on SGI workstations. The tool features a large-area database manager that allows high-speed traversal over limitless areas. It also offers lightpoints; supported outputs options; and an environmental feature, which includes cloud types, fog, celestial objects, and more. MultigenGO will be available in September of 1997 for $15,00 per graphics pipe for SGI Onyx platforms and $10,000 for SGI Octane and O2 systems.
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720.2.15 GPC Moves into Multimedia and 3D Application Level Benchmarks by John Latta
The Graphics Performance Characterization Group (GPC) announced that the Multimedia Benchmark Committee (MBC) has been accepted as a official project group. The plan is to have a range of benchmark suites in multimedia performance. The end of 1997 expects an Alpha version of the first benchmark for measuring MPEG-2 decoder performance.
An application Performance Characterization (APC) project group has been formed to develop benchmarks based on graphics intensive applications. It is felt by the GPC that there exists an void in this benchmarking area. They will focus on applications in MCAD/CAM/CAE, data visualization, visual simulation, industrial design, animation, architecture and games. It was also announced that the APC is working with user groups, publication testing labs, and application developers to meet the needs of this type of benchmark.
Initial results from the GLperf benchmark are available on the GPC web site. GLperf is a script based test with many options. It is claimed that the standardized testing format of GLperf allows users to test many cards in a uniform way. Thus, this benchmark is superior to primitive-level benchmarks.
e-mail for APC: gpcapc@pro.specbench.org
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720.2.16 Visible Decisions Announces In3D Developer Toolset by John Latta
In3D is a toolset for developing 3D desktop and Internet business applications. The difference with In3D is that instead of describing the scene it describes the underlying data model, the views and the mapping logic to bind views to data. Features include drill-down brushing, filtering and level of detail control. Applications include real time data acquisition and displays for back office financial applications including trading, network control monitoring, data mining, and process control. The displays can be very graphic and dynamic. The toolkit costs approximately $30,000 with interfaces to various financial data sources. Runtime libraries can cost from $3,000 to $5,000.
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720.3 Points to Ponder – SIGGRAPH in Contrast by John Latta
720.3.1 DisneyQuest in Perspective
We were impressed by the DisneyQuest concept. Of the many new entertainment center designs that have been announced and/or installed in the last 2 years, two stand out: Sony at Yerba Buena in San Francisco and now DisneyQuest.
Why are we positive about DisneyQuest?
It has all the elements of Disney quality and economic potential. DisneyQuest is about the guest social experience first and technology second. Third party developers can bring value to the experience outside of Disney. The installation roll-out is conservative and will be tuned based on experience.
We look forward to reviewing the first installation in Orlando next summer.
720.3.2 Real Time 3D Software Desert
Accelerated 3D is moving into 1997 with significantly higher performance levels than last year. The beginning of an installed base is happening for many applications outside of games, in large part because 3D is replacing 2D only graphics adapters. At 4th Wave we continue to get asked about mainstream business applications which leverage 3D. Unfortunately there are very few focused on real time. At SIGGRAPH we saw important forward movement. A significant announcement was the Windows NT version of MultiGen, called Creator. This has been the leading 3D real time modeling tool. In the assembly of environments SimSudio impressed us by Ndimension because of its intuitive interface and powerful functionality. DataPath’s RealiMation continues to be the leading real time software package with a continuous string of improvements. Yet, in spite of these advances we still feel the current real time 3D software is like a lone tree in a vast desert of software nothingness.
What is the problem? One that we lay squarely on the ISV community is the source of the software emerging for real time applications. That is, virtually all the software comes from a workstation heritage. As a result it grossly overpriced for the PC market. Examples include MultiGen's Creator at $10,000 and with options that can raise the cost to more than $20,000, 3D Studio MAX R2 at $3,495, Softimage NT at $9,000, NDimension SimStudio at $4,000 and Visible Decisions In3D Toolkit for $30,000. This is all based on a market model of high prices low volume. The corporate market, i.e., non-full time professional user, will not grow at these prices. It is often argued that such tools are too sophisticated for the corporate desktop but the same argument could have been made for Photoshop but it did not apply. Thus, the software industry has failed to recognize the potential of 3D and remains firmly entrenched in an antiquated business model. It is time for the current suppliers to wake up that the foundation for a significant market lies ahead. If the players today do not respond they could likely be left behind by new companies who see the potential of water in the desert.
This is also a market hole that the VRML companies may have an opportunity to exploit. The software in this segment is low priced and network centric. However, VRML has not been leveraging acceleration and focused on object and scene complexity. By expanding the scope of the market for what VRML addresses it is possible that a market in mainstream 3D tools and applications could emerge.
We strongly believe that the potential of high performance real time 3D will come when both software and hardware at reasonable prices are present. The leading role of hardware in establishing the foundation platform is very consistent with the evolution of the PC and even multimedia and CD-ROM drives. In the case of multimedia the market was continually frustrated until a critical mass of CD-ROM drives were available which provided a low cost delivery platform for multimedia content. The same applies to 3D but where the chips and the software are both required. What we see today is that the 3D chip and its performance are the same as the CD-ROM drive. There remains a fundamental problem – 3D accelerators being installed on today’s PC’s have little to be used for (other than games).
One response to this dilemma is the observation that programs such as 3D Studio MAX and MultiGen’s Creator are not suited to a large market. Some feel that these are niche products and to lower the price to Photoshop levels will only decrease a company’s income level and not stimulate any additional sales. We see the issue as being more complex. That is, this is not just a pricing and software target market issue. Pricing; user interface, product design and distribution are all linked and unless all are addressed in the definition and marketing of the product it is likely that it will be no more than a niche product. That is, to have a complex 3D program without an effective interface that hides complexity to the advantage of the user only means few sales. Thus, we see the market potential as a significant one that is open to start-up companies. If the current players do not adapt other companies will sprout who can.
We find it curious that 3D enables more natural user interfaces, allows for greater interaction with objects and spaces and is becoming omnipresent on new PCs using 3D accelerators but much of the software which leverages the technology is just the opposite. Today, as the installed base builds there are few applications to leverage the technology. Seen in a different way – there is a market but today’s products are blinded by the safe haven of low volume and high prices. These conditions create an opportunity for others ready to capitalize on it.
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Copyright 1997 4th WAVE, Inc.
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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.
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.