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April 13, 2005 – Montreal, Canada
The Fitzpatrick Institute is an interdisciplinary center at Duke University, whose primary mission is research in photonics and communication systems drawing researchers from Duke's Pratt School of Engineering and Duke Department of Physics, among others. The Cave-like system, officially called -C-, and all the associated equipment reflect a $1M investment intended as a research tool for scientific visualization, cognitive experiments, and undergraduate research experiences. The first project using Virtools will be an immersive experience recreating some of the visions from Hildegard of Bingen, who produced many influential theological works, as well as treatises, on natural history and the medicinal properties of plants, trees and stones. "Virtools was the best choice for our virtual reality theater as even non-programmers can create interactive, virtual environments. This is particularly important for us because we are developing a highly cross disciplinary research environment, with students from the classical studies department, cognitive psychology, and art history creating virtual worlds," said Rachael Brady, Director of the Visualization Technology Group at Duke University. The -C- provides an opportunity to develop a better acoustic solution, new interaction devices, alternative tracking systems, and improved projection technology for engineers, while computer scientists use it for better navigation and interaction methods, by instance interactive visualization algorithms for large data. In addition, students in the humanities and fine arts use the -C- for making narratives "come alive" and these particular needs conducted naturally to the choice of using Virtools technology. "Virtools streamlined software solutions, help you focus on creating stunning realistic virtual experiences, instead of worrying about the complex management of VR deployment tools. By running Virtools PC cluster technology, Duke University are now using a solution that is more economical and easily portable which significantly reduces their onsite deployment costs," said Micheál Martin – Virtools Director of Sales, Americas. Virtools' revolutionary interactive 3D technology, used to create interactive 3D applications for simulation/virtual reality, as well as video games and marketing/multimedia applications, makes learning complex game or multimedia production easier than ever before. More and more universities are taking advantage of this opportunity by introducing Virtools solutions to their arsenal of teaching tools. Dev's user-friendly graphic interface is the perfect introduction to interactive 3D media, whether students have a foundation in programming or not.
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 has become the leading provider of comprehensive software development solutions for building highly interactive 3D content. With several thousands of users throughout the world, the Virtools Software Suite enables prototyping, development and deployment of offline and online/networked video games, along with applications in the fields of industrial simulation/virtual reality and marketing/multimedia. Virtools is the technology of choice for industry leaders such as Procter&Gamble, PSA Peugeot Citroën, EDF, EADS, CEA, CNRS, France Telecom, Matsushita, Am eric an Department of Energy, Intel, Publicis Networks/Renault, Arte TV and L'Oréal. Virtools' VR/Simulation partners include Barco, Orad, HP, Nvidia, Intersense, Ascension Technologies and Advanced Realtime Tracking. Virtools clients also include major game studios such as Electronic Arts, Microïds, Sony Computer Entertainment, Microsoft, Warner Bros Online, Blue Fang Games and Ubisoft. Among its partners in the gaming industry Virtools counts Microsoft, Sony, Nvidia/ATI, Discreet, Alias, Newtek, Havok and NxN. For more information, visit www.virtools.com
About Duke Duke University is a private university located in Durham, North Carolina, US. Duke's Pratt School of Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate engineering degrees in biomedical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering and materials science and engineering management. For more information about Duke see www.duke.edu. For more information about the Pratt School of Engineering, see www.pratt.duke.edu. For more information about the –C- project, see http://vis.duke.edu/Facilities/visroom/visualization_room.html. CAVE™ is a trademark of the board of trustees of the Univisersity of Illinois
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