The Virtools Newsletter | February 2008 | www.virtools.com
Latest News |
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Virtools presents Virtools 4.1We are proud to announce you the release of Virtools 4.1, the latest version of our comprehensive platform for creating highly interactive 3D applications. One of the key features of this latest release is the expansion of platform and format support: Virtools 4.1 and 3D Life Player are now compatible with Microsoft Vista, Virtools SDK is moving to Visual Studio.net 2005, and 3D XML V4 format is now supported by Virtools 4.1. New Selection Set Building Blocks are now working in both authoring and runtime modes as well as on the web, and the much awaited feature of instantiating a Behavior Graph is now possible thanks to the incorporation of the new “Call Behavior” Building Block, considerably improving production workflow. Virtools 4.1 also provides rich ergonomics and schematic improvements, and it has been enhanced with new commented video tutorials that will shorten the Virtools 4.1 learning curve. Virtools is also evolving both its VR Library and its VR Publisher model to respond to the needs of the VR community. The publishing model has been simplified and is now available in two versions: “classic”, targeted to mainstream VR displays (simple stereo HMDs or Walls), and “unlimited”, supporting higher-end systems, including multi GPUs and clusters. Other features include new ready to use VRNR modules, support for new VR devices like Natural Point Optitrack and Xsens MTi/MTx, and numerous development and deployment time-savers. Fresh new demos have also been included, enabling new users and integrators to illustrate even better the power of their VR equipment. In partnership with Kynogon, Virtools 4.1 can provide integration of the new additional AI Library 2.0, which simplifies path finding generation and design of Non-Playable Character Behaviors. Pictures courtesy of ©BMW, ©Icinema, ©Leon-brothers (The Smashing Toys) |
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3DVIA MP: 3D Game Development for Multiple Platforms and Maximum ProductivityDiscover the latest in Virtools’ technology: 3DVIA MP, a cutting-edge technology designed to create, customize and deploy video games, from Meaningful Prototypes to a finished Masterpiece! 3DVIA MP is a comprehensive development platform that integrates a photo-realistic, real-time rendering engine for PC and the Xbox 360™. 3DVIA MP will significantly improve the game development process by fastening the action of bringing ideas to reality and by assisting developers in producing high-end 3D multiplatform games. 3DVIA MP for PlayStation® 3 and Web deployments will be available in summer 2008. 3DVIA MP is available as:
3DVIA MP will be showcased at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco February 20-22. Show attendees can attend live demonstrations at the 3DVIA booth, located at the Moscone Center North Hall, Booth # 6034. "PlayStation® 3" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "Xbox 360™" is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S and/or other countries. |
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3D Life Player: Mandatory HTML Code UpdateIn order to fasten and ease 3D Life Player installations for your web visitors, and to automatically update the HTML code of your websites, please make sure that all your Virtools-based web pages use the latest HTML code update, explained here: This new, host-independent script allows us to continue offering you the best and latest technology for high-volume content delivery. NOTE: old HTML tags may no longer be supported in a few months. More details can be found on the 3D Life Player website. |
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Partners |
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Immersive and Intuitive Gameplay Experiences with SofkineticSoftkinetic’s patent pending iisu™ 3D gesture recognition software takes interactivity to a new level allowing players to interact directly with the games, through a 3D camera, without the need for a controller. The iisu™ middleware platform supports all available 3D depth sensing cameras and insulates game and application developers from the low-level technicalities of the cameras. Softkinetic’s iisu™ technology will be fully compatible and integrated with Virtools 4.1 development platform providing video game creators with a comprehensive software solution for building real-time 3D experiences with superior graphics and complex interactivity. |
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www.shaderfarm.com, an ideal complement to Virtools for high-quality rendering!"Shaderfarm" is a web-based subscription service providing a complete library of shaders, HDRI environment maps and wide library of textures to create astonishing visuals while keeping real-time interactivity on the Virtools platform. Part of a constantly updated list, the Shaderfarm library includes more than 50 shader presets (combining specific shader code, texture and material settings) in rendering areas such as glass, clear iron, blurred iron, steel/chrome, copper, reflective plastics, matte plastics, colored plastics, painted surfaces shader, rubber, ceramic shader, advanced car-paint and more than 150 textures in areas such as bricks, concrete, environment Hdrs (Full 360), fabric, felt, leather, natural & synthetic, asphalt, grass, grid-metal, metal-steel-punctured, painted surfaces... Each shader offers GUI controls for tweaking shader parameters from within the Virtools' interface, without handling shader code (no need for shader programming knowledge). |
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Atthis to sell Virtools technology in FranceA long-time partner of Dassault Systèmes, member of the Channel Management Program, Atthis is an independent company specialized in the Product Life Cycle Management of industrial products. Atthis, which offers customized services for industrial solutions and software integration, is now the first Dassault Systèmes’ VAR to resell Virtools. We are pleased to welcome them on board. |
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References |
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The Flaminia projectProduced by the CNR ITABC and the VHLAB, the Flaminia application transports you back into the past, to the Roman Via Flaminia as it was more than 2200 years ago. Built by the Romans to ease the communication from Rome to the Italian North-East and to promote the Roman colonization policy, this ancient road has been reconstructed as an alive, dynamic space with its Roman-related elements: environments, colors, sounds, objects and characters having their own function, behaviors and tales. The virtual reality system created for the Museo Nazionale delle Terme di Diocleziano consists of a virtual room with four interactive platforms. Users explore and share the virtual space with Avatars: they create a virtual "show" with their actions that can be visualized in real-time by the audients on a central screen. There are two levels of exploration: a free navigation where users can move into the space following their own personal curiosity, enterprise and perception, and a narrative level where audiovisual media, materials, reconstructions and narrative sheets are provided. |
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Virtools Events |
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Game Developers ConferenceFebruary 18-22, 2008. San Francisco, USA Visit http://www.virtools.com/news/events/2008/gdc/ to see the updated schedule. Virtools will also be showcasing its brand new solutions privately during one-to-one sessions. Make sure to request a one-to-one meeting through the GDC online built-in meeting system, if you are registered to the Game Connection. You may also request the meeting directly online. |
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IEEE VR 2008, Reno, Nevada, USA, 10-12 March 2008Meet us at the IEEEVR 2008, in Reno, Nevada, USA. This event is the opportunity to discover the many presentations, exhibits and workshops in the fields of virtual environments, augmented reality, and 3D user interfaces. |
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Game Developer Exchange Conference, April 10-11 at SCAD-Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree St.Virtools is proud to be a sponsor of the Game Developer Exchange Conference, organized by the Savannah College of Art and Design. The GDX gathers game developers, educators and students together with game development experts who share their behind-the-scenes knowledge of the game industry. Participants choose from a variety of sessions where professionals share their expertise on game creation. |
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NEW Virtools training session: April 21,22 and 23rd of April 2008, Paris, FranceTo let you fully benefit from Virtools technology and its amazing possibilities, we are offering you new upcoming training sessions: a 3-day learning session to control and understand the Virtools 4 interface, its different tools and essential scripting techniques. These collective sessions will provide you with the opportunity to exchange knowledge with other Virtools professionals at a lower cost. Also well adapted to the educational community, this training will set the basis for teaching your students solid working methodologies. Save time and money and give yourself the chance to enhance your Virtools applications by attending these sessions! |
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Back from VR Workshop with VTT and VirtoolsOur first workshop in Finland has been a very successful experience. It has been a great opportunity to exchange knowledge on virtual reality and discover more about Virtools as seen by our VTT partners and other Seamk and Tampere University of Technology speakers. We would like to thank all the attendees and the speakers who made this event possible: Kaj Helin, Joonas Laitinen, Harri Mähönen and Arnaud Muthelet. |
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Les Matinées Virtools
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Virtools Technical Overview - Web SeminarsVirtools invites you to take part in its online seminars, designed to give you an overview of the company and the Virtools Software Suite. |
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Contact Virtools |
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ContactsMarketing/Press: marketingteam@virtools.com Sales - Europe and Asia: info@virtools.com Sales - North and South America, Canada: info.america@virtools.com |
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Worldwide presence!New units have been created in Japan and the USA (in addition to our Canadian office). Their mission is to cover the Asian and North American markets in conjunction with each local DS office. |
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