SGI Enables Strategic and Competitive Advantages With New Advancements
In High-Performance Computing and Visualization
LOS ANGELES, SIGGRAPH, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing its graphics
leadership and commitment to technical and creative users, SGI (NYSE: SGI)
will showcase solutions at SIGGRAPH 2001 that enable customers to create,
collaborate and visualize. This year marks the 16th consecutive year for SGI
as the driving force behind SIGGRAPH, reaffirming the company's position as
the world's leader in high-performance computing and visualization solutions.
From the exhibit floor to the Electronic Theatre, SGI provides the
technology behind real time demonstrations, panel-selected Electronic Theatre
entries and visual effects from this year's blockbuster films created by
companies such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Mill Film, Pacific Data
Images (PDI)/DreamWorks, Square USA, Tippett Studio and Walt Disney Feature
Animation. Among the films selected for the Electronic Theatre, approximately
one third were created by SGI customers including works such as
102 Dalmatians, Cast Away, Hollow Man, Pearl Harbor, Final Fantasy and Shrek.
News & Announcements at SIGGRAPH 2001
-- Silicon Graphics O2+(TM): A new value-rich workstation based on an
innovative Unified Memory Architecture (UMA), the O2+ visual workstation
satisfies customers' needs for realism and reliability by enabling and
integrating stunning 3D graphics, powerful image processing and real time
video processing far beyond any other system available in its class. The
O2+ seamlessly integrates video and graphics for real-time video effects.
-- OpenGL(R) 1.3: SGI demonstrates its continued support of the open
source community by today announcing updates to the OpenGL family. With the
recent increased demand for realistic effects, SGI has enhanced the family of
products that provides increased efficiencies and capabilities in a single
creation of vendor-independent APIs for the development of 2D and 3D graphics
applications. The new features and functionality of OpenGL 1.3 increase the
level of graphics quality and realism of the industry's leading cross-platform
2D and 3D graphics Application Programming Interface (API).
-- Next Generation SGI(TM) Reality Center(TM): SGI increases the level of
realism with new enhancements for group collaboration available to
organizations and individuals with key enhancements to its Reality Center
environments. Enhancements include industry-firsts such as the first 35x10
foot curved screen ultra-bright DLP (digital light projection)-based Reality
Center ever, the first stereo DLP collaborative visualization environment and
3.6 million-pixel environment driven by an SGI Onyx 3400.
-- OpenML(TM): OpenML Media Library is a specification being developed by
the Khronos Special Interest Group which announced at Siggraph that OpenML
1.0 has been unanimously ratified and is now publicly available. OpenML, a
software environment that is complementary its peer the OpenGL API, enables
digital content application developers to easily integrate video, audio and
graphics capabilities into their application suites, and makes these
applications portable over multiple operating systems, CPU architectures and
add-in hardware devices. OpenML has its basis in dmSDK, the third-generation
digital media API from SGI. SGI will be demonstrating OpenML-compatible
products in its booth.
-- VisConcept 2.0: UGS announced the launch of VisConcept 2.0 for SGI's
IRIX operating system. VisConcept software allows human-scale visualization of
high-resolution, realistic, 3D designs. The latest version features new
texture mapping and editing functionality, enhanced light and material
editors, dynamic re-tessellation and lightweight mirroring, allowing designers
to create compelling visuals in real-time by compositing video, 2D and/or 3D
data.
-- Blockbuster Movies: Announced in early July, SGI's visual workstation
and server technologies were tapped for Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, the
first hyperReal, all-CGI feature film, featuring a cast whose physical and
emotional characteristics are virtually indistinguishable from those of live
human beings.
As announced on July 12, Tippett Studio created more than 60 3D-animated
shots for Warner Brothers' Cats & Dogs and over 150 3D-animated shots-plus
15 all-CGI 3D creatures-for DreamWorks' Evolution, using a powerful
combination of high-performance IRIX(R), Linux(R) and Windows NT(R) OS-based
workstations, servers and storage from SGI.
As announced on August 13, ILM, using proprietary software written on
Silicon Graphics(R) O2(R) visual workstations as well as off-the-shelf 3D
modeling and animation software, completed more than 350 visual effects shots
on The Mummy Returns, around 160 shots on Pearl Harbor, approximately
200 shots on A.I., 400 shots on Jurassic Park III, and 140 shots on Planet Of
The Apes. ILM, which has used SGI systems since 1988, runs on over 500 Silicon
Graphics O2 visual workstations networked to an 800-processor SGI(TM)
Origin(TM) 2000 server with 400 GB of storage.
To learn more about the latest products and solutions from SGI please
visit http://www.sgi.com.
Demos To Watch for At SIGGRAPH
In the main areas of the SGI booth -- create, collaborate and visualize
-- attendees can view and participate in product and solution demonstrations
that highlight the latest features and benefits of SGI's high-performance
computing and visualization technology including;
Create
-- Digital Content Creation Customer Stage: SGI technology is used
worldwide for visual effects projects. For the past seven years, all of the
Academy Award(R) finalists for Visual Effects were created using SGI systems.
SGI's center stage will feature live presentations and real-time
demonstrations from this summer's biggest blockbuster films such as The Mummy
Returns, Pearl Harbor, A.I., Jurassic Park III and Planet Of The Apes (ILM);
Final Fantasy (Square USA), and Cast Away (Sony Pictures Imageworks). Visual
effects supervisors will explain how actual effects were created using SGI
servers and Silicon Graphics visual workstations running powerful partner
applications, unveiling the magic that created the most stunning visual
effects this summer.
-- Silicon Graphics(R) Octane2(TM): Octane2 visual workstation with
DMediaPro(TM) DM2 is the most powerful, fully integrated, single-source
high-definition (HD) desktop product for making the transition to HD. Octane2
with DMediaPro DM2 provides video professionals with affordable, real-time,
high-quality uncompressed HD and standard-definition (SD) video I/O on the
desktop. A demonstration of the Octane2 by Glass House Studio, LLC will
feature a virtual skateboard park based on a design by the award-winning
Stanley Saitowitz Architecture firm. Real-time interaction with the skateboard
scene -- the dual role of skateboarder and ramp designer -- is literally in
one's hands with a pair of data gloves. The participants can manually sculpt
the space and move through it by "pulling the fabric of space".
-- SGI(TM) Onyx(TM) 3000 Series with DMediaPro DM3: SGI(TM) Onyx(R)
3000 series with DMediaPro(TM) DM3 offers the highest-levels of HD and SD
uncompressed video in and out functionality available today. DMediaPro DM3 for
the SGI 3000 family optimizes state-of-the-art film mastering, digital
dailies, editing, multistream HD compositing and image analysis.
-- Silicon Graphics(R) F180 flat panel display: The new 18-inch F180 flat
panel display delivers the optimum combination of screen size, resolution and
flat panel value and is compatible with all SGI workstations as well as
Macintosh(R) computers and Intel(R)-based systems.
-- API Mini Theater: SGI will present high performance, high quality, and
unique features from the people that brought you OpenGL. At every half-hour
each day (total of 44 presentations), there will be a 20 minute presentation
on a specific API. The engineers that have developed the APIs will give the
presentations and run through the methods in creating differentiated
applications with minimal effort and maintenance.
Collaborate
-- OpenGL Vizserver: Attendees will see how high-end medical, energy and
design visualization applications can be run on an SGI Onyx 3000 but have the
results available to any client anywhere on a network or over the Internet.
-- Partner Demonstrations: SGI hosts a number of collaborative
demonstrations with strategic software partners including NCSA Virtual
Director, UGS VisConcept, PTC Division, Dassault Systemes CATIA, Opticore Opus
Studio, VirCinity CoVise, and Alias|Wavefront Studio Tools.
Visualize
-- SGI Reality Center: Explore the surface of Mars; fly through the
Amazon; visit the moon; take a ride on a roller coaster; watch the building of
a new city; experience the universe. SGI welcomes you to the most
collaborative, immersive visualization environment in the world. SGI, along
with its partners, also features the highest levels of realism for group
collaboration available to organizations and individuals with technologies
including.
-- 15,000 lumens of brightness generated by three Mirage 5000 3D DLP
projectors from Christie Digital Systems, Inc.
-- Image warping technology from 3D Perception A.S.
-- 3D spatialized sound from Lake Technology Corporation
-- Stereo eyewear (glasses) and emitter technology from StereoGraphics
Corporation
-- Curved screen infrastructure plus display system design and
integration by Mechdyne Corporation
-- SGI Graphics Cluster(TM): SGI will be demonstrating how the SGI PC
Image Generator for the defense and manufacturing markets can be used for
dedicated jet fighter mission simulation and manufacturing plant visualization
in a single-user 225 degree wrap-around environment driven by ten GraphxMaster
C50 3D DLP projectors from Christie Digital Systems, Inc.
-- New Global Developer Program: SGI will be accepting membership
applications to its new global developer program at SIGGRAPH 2001. Designed
for all SGI developers, the features of this innovative new program include:
-- Developer-friendly fee structure that allows partners to pick and
choose services on an a la carte basis
-- Global support
-- Updated developer directory, containing a database of software
providers and their products sorted by industry and application
area
-- Emerging strategic developer alliance group to foster and solidify
relationships with up and coming developers
-- Global Developers Program web site
-- New developer tools and compilers
-- Aggressive developer system and support pricing
About SGI
SGI, formerly known as Silicon Graphics, Inc., is a technology solutions
provider with a broad range of high-performance computing, advanced graphics
and consulting services that enable its technical and creative customers to
maintain a competitive advantage in their core businesses. Whether being used
to design and build safer cars and airplanes, discover new medications and oil
reserves, help us understand and better predict the weather or entertain us
with thrilling movie special effects, SGI(TM) systems and expertise are
empowering a world of innovation and discovery. The company, located on the
Web at http://www.sgi.com, is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., and has offices
worldwide.
Silicon Graphics, O2, OpenGL and IRIX are registered trademarks and SGI,
Origin, Octane2 and the SGI logo are trademarks of Silicon Graphics, Inc.
OpenML is a trademark of Silicon Graphics, Inc., used with permission by the
Khronos Special Interest Group. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus
Torvalds used with permission by Silicon Graphics, Inc. Windows and Windows NT
are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Intel is a registered
trademark of Intel Corporation. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple
Computer, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their
respective owners.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010510/SFTH025LOGO )
CONTACT: Marla Robinson, +1-256-864-3426, or marlar@sgi.com, or SGI PR
Hotline, +1-650-933-7777, or SGI PR Fax, +1-650-932-0737, all of SGI.
SOURCE SGI
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.sgi.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010510/SFTH025LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, 888-776-6555 or 212-782-2840
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/gh/cnoc/comp/795806.html
CONTACT:
Marla Robinson, +1-256-864-3426, or
marlar@sgi.com, or SGI PR Hotline, +1-650-933-7777, or SGI PR
Fax, +1-650-932-0737, all of SGI
|
