Immersive Stereo Demonstrations of StudioTools(TM) and New Alias|Wavefront
Industrial Design Applications Set to Debut at Fakespace Systems' Exhibit,
SIGGRAPH 2001
LOS ANGELES, SIGGRAPH, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Fakespace Systems Inc., a
leader in immersive visualization systems, and Alias|Wavefront(TM), an SGI
(NYSE: SGI) company and leading provider of software for computer-aided
industrial design (CAID), today announced that they are collaborating to
advance interaction in design and virtual environments. The relationship will
focus on the development and marketing of technologies to support intuitive
interaction with computer-generated models in large-scale visualization
environments such as the Fakespace Systems WorkWall(TM) and CAVE(R).
On August 14-16, at SIGGRAPH 2001 (the International Conference on
Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques), the companies will have the
first public demonstration of the new stereoscopic viewing feature of
StudioTools(TM) 9.7 3D software operating on a Fakespace Systems flat wall
display. The demonstration, in Fakespace Systems' booth (#2026), will
illustrate the power of true stereoscopic visualization in sophisticated
industrial design and modelling.
"Fakespace Systems has a reputation for providing top quality immersive
visualization systems and interactive devices for use in new product design,"
said Bill Buxton, chief scientist at Alias|Wavefront. "We believe that there
is a great opportunity for synergy in combining our companies' efforts to
further develop intuitive ways for designers and engineers to work with
virtual models."
Fakespace Systems provides a broad range of visualization solutions for
working with virtual prototypes and visual simulations. These systems, which
facilitate collaboration and better understanding of complex data, range from
fully immersive room environments to depth-enhanced displays that fit in an
average size conference room.
At Siggraph, in addition to the stereoscopic debut of StudioTools on a
WorkWall display system, other technology demonstrations will preview
additional interactive visualization solutions. These include task-specific
products such as a prototype virtual "tape drawing" system for automotive
design, which mimics the traditional tape drawing technique for full-scale
physical renderings of new car designs. The companies will also demonstrate a
new Alias|Wavefront PortfolioWall product that supports design review, sharing
and team awareness of sketches, animations and 3D models. Shown on
Fakespace's 6-ft. by 7.5-ft. Portico(TM) WorkWall, it allows natural gestures,
laser pointers, and other devices to be used to easily select, store and
display groups of visual digital assets. The integration of the PortfolioWall
and Portico WorkWall creates a "digital corkboard" that transforms the nature
of collaborative design by simplifying the way teams access, view, present and
manage visual content.
"Alias|Wavefront developed its StudioTools software with a tremendous
understanding of the industrial design studio workflow," said Dan Wright,
president and chief executive officer of Fakespace Systems. "We are very
excited about working with the company to make use of this knowledge in order
to develop integrated solutions that will broaden the range of users that have
access to visualization and increase productivity enterprise-wide."
About Alias|Wavefront
As the world's leading innovator of 3D graphics technology,
Alias|Wavefront develops software for the film and video, games, interactive
media, industrial design, technical surfacing and visualization markets.
Alias|Wavefront's design customers include AT&T, BMW, Boeing, Fiat, Ford,
Honda, General Motors, Italdesign, Kodak, Mattel, Rollerblade, Trek Bicycle,
Teague and Timex. Alias|Wavefront is a wholly owned, independent software
company of SGI with headquarters in Toronto and technical centers in Seattle
and Santa Barbara. To visit Alias|Wavefront, go to
http://www.aliaswavefront.com .
About Fakespace Systems
Fakespace Systems Inc. provides products and services for better insight,
communications and collaboration in automotive, manufacturing, military,
aerospace, geophysical exploration, and scientific research organizations.
The company designs and manufactures immersive displays and interactive
devices, and integrates complete visualization solutions providing Better Ways
to Create and Communicate(TM). Fakespace Systems, a business unit of
Electrohome Limited (Toronto: ELL.X, ELL.Y), is headquartered in Kitchener,
Ontario, Canada. The company has U.S. offices in Novi, Michigan; Alameda and
San Diego, California; Columbus, Ohio; Rockville, Maryland; and a European
office based in Leicestershire, England. More information on Fakespace
Systems is available at http://www.fakespacesystems.com .
NOTE: (R) and TM -- CAVE is a registered trademark of the University of
Illinois Board of Trustees. WorkWall, Portico, and the phrase, "Better Ways
to Create and Communicate" are trademarks of Fakespace Systems Inc. All other
trade names or marks are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE Fakespace Systems Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.fakespacesystems.com
CONTACT:
Jeff Brum of Fakespace Systems Inc.,
+1-519-749-3144, or jbrum@fakespacesystems.com; or Wendy Lewis,
wendy@fscomm.com, or Miranda Brady, both of FS Communications,
+1-650-691-1488, for Fakespace Systems Inc.
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