April 21, 2004 – Paris, France

For Immediate Release
Category: Interactive 3D Applications / Technology

The Centre for Applied Research in Educational Technologies (CARET) fuses gaming and training-based simulations using Virtools Dev and publishes their article Gaming Technologies for Anatomy Education.

Paris, France. April 21, 2004 - Virtools™, the leading provider of interactive 3D authoring solutions, is pleased to be part of CARET's research program as a prototyping tool for their innovative educational applications.

CARET's Virtual Anatomy Project at the University of Cambridge goes beyond 3D visualization to explore ways in which real-time interactive 3D can bring innovation and immersion to anatomy education.

In an effort to surpass standard observation of anatomy models in an isolated virtual environment, CARET is investigating ways in which the interactive mechanisms found in computer games can be repurposed to engage students and improve on existing pedagogical models.

Read Gaming Technologies for Anatomy Education originally presented at IV03, the 7th International Conference on Information Visualization (262 KB PDF).

About Virtools™

Virtools launched its commercial activities in 1993 with consulting and services targeting the VR sector. With the needs of this and other key markets in mind, Virtools built the company's initial software solution, Virtools Dev. As an Independent Software Vendor since Q4 1999, Virtools specializes in providing comprehensive software development environments for creating highly interactive 3D content. With several thousands of users throughout the world, Virtools is the leading provider of development environments for building interactive 3D applications.

The Virtools Software Suite is used for prototyping, developing and deploying offline and online/networked applications in the fields of industrial simulation, visualization and virtual reality, as well as video games and marketing/multimedia.

Virtools clients include major game studios such as Electronic Arts, Microïds, Microsoft Ensemble Studios, Warner Bros Online, Blue Fang Games and Ubisoft, as well as industry leaders such as EDF, EADS, CEA, CNRS, France Telecom, Matsushita, American Department of Energy, Intel, Publicis Networks/Renault, Arte TV and L'Oréal.

More information at: http://www.virtools.com



About the Centre for Applied Research in Educational Technologies (CARET)


CARET provides Cambridge University with a central focus for the application of research excellence in new technology for teaching and learning, across all educational sectors.

Projects at CARET are selected to promote best practice in e-learning and the application of educational technology. The research group aims to develop generic tools and systems to support the delivery, assessment and evaluation of pedagogically sound online education, and to establish Cambridge University as a world-leader in this area.

CARET's hot-house environment enables academic staff and students from all departments to work alongside resident experts to develop new components for their courses – emphasis is placed on the innovative and creative use of new technologies for online education. Synergies between subject areas are exploited to create generic technologies for delivering, interpreting and manipulating information to assist teaching and learning within the University.

More information at:
CARET
http://www.caret.cam.ac.uk

Virtual Anatomy Department
http://www.caret.cam.ac.uk/projects/virtual_anatomy.htm
http://www.caret.cam.ac.uk/projects/v_a/overview.htm

Press contacts

Virtools SA
93 rue Vieille du Temple
75003 Paris
Julie ERCOLANI
ercolani@virtools.com
+33 1 42 71 46 86