Giga Games 1/Giga Games.iso/net/vir_real/faq/comercil/sense8

Text File | 1992-04-25 | 13.8 KB | 384 lines

Here is a description of our WorldToolKit software library, and the
WorldTool Development System.  Both are now shipping.  With the new
Texturing Library, a virtual world application developer can build
applications that include real-time texture mapping running on a 486
PC!  WorldToolKit with the current Intel DVI(tm) hardware supports
about 1200 textured polygons per second at 1 Hz and 700 textured
polygons per second at 10 Hz.  This is running on a standard 80486
25 MHz PC.  The new Intel DVI boards (due in July) will have twice the
performance of the ones we are now using (they have a faster, 25 MHz clock).

        Tom Coull
        Vice President, Marketing
        SENSE8 Corporation
        1001 Bridgeway, PO Box 477
        Sausalito, CA  94965
        415-331-6316
        UUCP:well!sense8!tcoull

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANNOUNCEMENT OF SENSE8'S NEW VIRTUAL WORLD DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE:

                **  WORLDTOOLKIT **

WorldToolKit is an object-oriented library  C routines that integrates
the capabilities needed for rapid development of virtual world
applications.  The WorldToolKit library lets developers rapidly and
easily build realtime 3D simulation and "virtual world" applications
that run on desktop computers.

WorldToolKit seamlessly integrates a simulation manager, a realtime
rendering pipeline, an object manager, lighting, animation sequences,
input sensors, and graphics display devices in a flexible object-
oriented library.

At the core of a WorldToolKit application is the simulation manager,
which controls the realtime simulation loop and all object
interactions. These objects may be graphical entities, sensors,
lights, or viewpoints, and are distinct computational entities with
their own encapsulated state and methods.  The WorldToolKit simulation
manager automatically maintains these objects once they have been created.

With the object manager, objects in a WorldToolKit application can be
hierarchically configured or clustered.  For example, an object can move
or pivot with the motion of another object that is "above" it.  In this
way, a "finger" object can be configured below the palm of a "hand"
object, while both are tracked by sensors on a glove.  Or several finger
objects could be clustered together so that they are treated as one object.

With the data import/export facilities, models or data can be imported,
rendered and manipulated easily and intuitively.  A comprehensive DXF file
reader is included which automatically converts DXF files into 3D objects.

The WorldToolKit library has drivers for many popular devices so that the
user can configure the input and output specifically for their application.
For example, initial application development is easily accomplished with
mouse input and color CRT display.  For impressive presentations, the
application can be reconfigured for a head-mounted, position-tracked
stereoscopic display.

A sample source code for a complete walk through program follows:



        /* sample walkthrough program written with WorldToolKit */

#include <stdio.h>
#include "worldtool.h"

extern Universe u;                      /* the universe of all objects */
static Sensor *sensor=NULL;             /* spaceball sensor */

main()
{
        /* allocate memory for the viewpoint information read from a model.  */
        Posn6d p;

        /* initialize the universe. */
        universe_new();

        /* load the universe from the file "myfile". */
        universe_load("myfile", &p);

        /* move the viewpoint to the position read from the model. */
        viewpoint_move(universe_getviewpoint(), &p);

        /* initialize a Spaceball sensor on serial port COM1. */
        sensor = Spaceball_new(COM1);

        /* add the sensor to the universe. */
        universe_addsensor(sensor);

        /* ... and attach it to the viewpoint. */
        viewpoint_addsensor(universe_getviewpoint(), sensor);

        /* prepare the universe for start of the simulation loop. */
        universe_ready();

        /* enter the main simulation. */
        universe_go();

        /* when we're all done - clean everything up. */
        universe_delete();
}


--------------------------------------------------------------

ANNOUNCEMENT OF SENSE8'S TEXTURING LIBRARY FOR WORLDTOOLKIT

        ** "Intels DVI Technology Now Brings Real- **
             time Texture Mapping to WorldToolKit"

SENSE8's new Texturing Library combined with WorldToolKit enables the
development of virtual world applications with real-time texture mapping
which run on personal computers.  Using SENSE8's Texturing Library,
Intel's ActionMedia Delivery Board, and a texture database, video-u
realistic textures can be applied to object surfaces in any orientation
and scale.  Repetitive textures can also be "tiled" across an object's
face.

The DVI (Digital Video Interactive) standard, supported on Intel's
proprietary ActionMedia board, is capable of warping images or synthetic
textures in real-time. WorldToolKit's fast renderer, combined with DVI
technology, provides realtime 3D texturing by transforming the textured
faces of objects as the viewpoint is moved through the 3D world.  The
result is a much more realistic and lifelike virtual world.

To apply textures to object faces, the WorldToolKit- Texturing Library
includes simple to use yet powerful functions.  The developer selects a
texture image from a texture database, then "attaches" that texture to
any object face using the ** texture_apply ** function. The texture is
then automatically warped and fitted to the surface of the object.  Or
the developer may specify how the texture is to be scaled or oriented.

The WorldToolKit-Texturing Library includes the ability to apply textures
that are shaded or unshaded, opaque or transparent.  For example, objects
behind a transparent picket fence texture are visible through the fence.
Natural objects such as trees or bushes also appear more realistic when
their textures are transparent.

------------------------------------------------------

PRICING INFORMATION:

        WorldToolKit w/Texturing Library -  $3,500

        WorldTool DS                     - $15,400
        (includes 80486 PC and
        one Intel ActionMedia board)

------------------------------------------------------

For more information on WorldToolKit, contact us at:

SENSE8 Corporation
1001 Bridgeway PO Box 477 Sausalito CA 94965
Tel [phone]
email: UUCP:well!sense8!tcoull

WorldToolKit is a trademark of SENSE8 Corporation.
DVI and ActionMedia are trademarks of Intel Corporation.

==================

******************************************************

             WORLDTOOLKIT Version 1.01

               Program Description

******************************************************


INTRODUCTION:

WorldToolKit (WTK) version 1.01 is a rich set of over 230 functions
written in C that enables a developer to build 3-D graphical and
"virtual reality" applications. From writing custom sensor drivers to
rapidly prototyping real-time simulations, WTK offers an intuitive
set of functions that provide a wide range of functionality.


FEATURES:

High Performance -- WTK features a high-speed renderer
incorporating the latest flight-simulator technology to provide
superior performance on a PC.

Real-time Texturing -- Apply texture bitmaps from your DVI or
Targa files to the surfaces of objects. For example, you can apply an
actual wood-grain image to the top of a table model, or the elevation
view of an entire tree to a single polygon (using the "transparent"
texture feature to be able to peer through the tree branches).

"Hypertext"-Style Organization -- Use "portals" to create links
between associated worlds. When a portal is "crossed", the user
jumps to the named world. Use this feature to build arbitrarily
complex virtual worlds.

Data Import -- Use the file import facilities to create 3D graphical
objects from DXF, the WTK neutral ASCII file format, and other
formats.

Dynamic Control of Lights -- Light your virtual worlds with an
arbitrary number of directed lights. Move or change the intensity of
these lights in real-time.

Superior Application Development -- WTK gives superior
application development power and runtime performance, yet
complete applications can be built with surprisingly few lines of
code.

Device Drivers -- WTK includes drivers for many of the sensor
devices commercially available, including: Logitech`s "Red Baron",
Ascension Technology Corporation's "Bird", the CiS "Geometry
Ball Jr.", the Spaceball Technologies "Spaceball", the Polhemus
Navigational Sciences "Polhemus" and the Fake Space Labs
"BOOM".


SPECIFICATIONS:

Functions are provided for:

     o  simulation management.
     o  user-interaction (such as polygon picking with the mouse).
     o  universe entry and exit.
     o  terrain generation (checkerboard, random, or from data).
     o  viewpoint manipulation and control.
     o  stereoscopic viewing.
     o  sensor control and interaction.
     o  portal creation.
     o  texture application, manipulation, and removal.
     o  interactive polygon color editing.
     o  wire-frame or flat-shaded polygon display.
     o  graphical object creation and task assignment.
     o  hierarchical control of graphical objects.
     o  intersection testing.
     o  light creation and manipulation.
     o  object and texture animation.

Hardware Requirement:  80386/387 or 80486 (recommended) IBM
compatible PC AT with 4MB RAM. Single ActionMedia 750
Delivery board required for monoscopic viewing. Two ActionMedia
750 Delivery boards required for stereoscopic viewing.

Resolution:  Adaptable, 256x240 to 512x480.

Color Space:  16 bit true color for flat-shaded polygons and textures.
Textures can be unshaded, shaded or transparent.

Compiler Requirements:  32-bit C compiler (MetaWare High C 1.71
recommended).

Memory Manager:  DOS extender (PharLap 386 DOS Extender 4.0
recommended).


DISTRIBUTED BY:

Artificial Realities Systems S.R.L., Via Rombon, 11 - 20134,
Milano, Italy, Phone [phone], Fax [phone]

Asahi Electronics Co. Ltd., 4th Fl., KMM Bldg., 2-14-1 Asano,
Kokura Kita-ku, Kitakyushu City 802, Japan, Phone (093) 511-
6471, Fax [phone]

Micron/Green, 1240 N.W. 21st Avenue, Gainseville, FL 32609,
Phone [phone], Fax [phone]

Robert McNeel and Associates, 3670 Woodland Park Avenue North,
Seattle, WA 98103, Phone [phone], Fax [phone]

Sense8 Corporation, 1001 Bridgeway, #477, Sausalito CA 94965,
Phone [phone], Fax [phone]

Virtual Presence, Ltd. 25 Corsham Street London N1 6DR U.K.
Phone [phone], Fax [phone]


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact your nearest distributor, or Tom Coull at Sense8
Corporation.

        -- Tom Coull (well!sense8!tcoull)
           Sense8 Corporation
           [phone] (phone)
           [phone] (fax)




******************************************************

             WORLDTOOLKIT Version 1.01
                    Price List

******************************************************

COMPONENTS:
----------

WorldToolKit software (Single Machine Development License)    $3,500

ActionMedia 750 Delivery Board (release 2.13.12 software)     $2,495

MetaWare High C 32-bit Compiler/Debugger (Version 1.71)         $895

PharLap DOS-Extender (Version 4.0)                              $495


OPTIONS:
-------

Spaceball Technology "Spaceball"                              $1,595

Imagetects ImageCELs Library                                    $495

Truevision VIDI/O Box (RGB to Composite signal converter)    $995

Cable Package                                                   $225
    (Includes two sets of 4-RGB to 4-RGB cables with BNC
    connectors and two 15-pin high-density to 4-RGB cables
    with BNC connectors.)


PACKAGES:
--------

WorldToolKit Introductory Package                             $6,295
    (Includes WorldToolKit, one ActionMedia 750 Delivery
    Board (with free hardware upgrade), MetaWare High C
    compiler/debugger and PharLap DOS-Extender.)

WorldTool Virtual Reality Presentation System Upgrade         $4,995
    (Includes one additional ActionMedia i750 Delivery
    Board for stereoscopic image generation, two
    Truevision VIDI/O boxes, two SyncWizard boxes and
    the Cable Package.)

WorldTool Virtual Reality Development System                 $12,995
    (Includes WorldToolKit, two Intel ActionMedia 750
    Delivery Boards, MetaWare High C compiler/debugger,
    PharLap DOS-Extender, two Truevision VIDI/O boxes,
    two SyncWizard boxes, the Cable Package, Spaceball
    Technology "Spaceball" and the Imagetects ImageCELs
    Library.)


TO ORDER:
--------

     Please call or fax Tom Coull at:
     Sense8 Corporation
     1001 Bridgeway, #477
     Sausalito  CA   94965
     415.331.6318 (phone)
     415.331.9148 (fax)

WorldToolKit and SENSE8 are trademarks of Sense8 Corporation.
DVI and ActionMedia are trademarks of Intel Corporation.
All other brand and product names are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective holders.

US prices are shown and are subject to change without notice.
Tax or shipping not included.

==============

Pete Tinker says, in a post on sci.virtual-worlds:

We routinely get about 200-1000 polygons/second, dependent on the scene
complexity and number of texture-mapped polygons.  WTK is not the lowest-cost
approach, but it's a heckofalot cheapter than, say, the VPL system.  An
advantage for researchers like me who need to provide systems to others in the
company is that WTK runs on PCs, and a system can be carried around rather
easily.  I recently showed our system at a company conference in Milwaukee by
carrying software, boards, and an EyePhone as carry-on luggage and borrowing a
386 on the other end.  Those who attended the Meckler conference two weeks ago
may have seen Tom Coull from Sense8 demonstrating some of our work during his
talk -- LIVE!  No videotape!