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JACK-5.0
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1994-09-26
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From R.Hollands@sheffield.ac.uk Mon Sep 26 13:41:40 1994
Date: Wed, 4 May 94 23:09:58 +0100
From: R Hollands <R.Hollands@sheffield.ac.uk>
To: scivw@hitl.washington.edu
Subject: JACK discount for educational users
PRESS RELEASE
Simulating Humans in 3D becomes Reality - Virtually
GMS Ltd. has released Jack 5.8 in the UK. The latest version of the virtual
reality tool for CAD/CAM engineers includes a long list of enhancements.
What is Jack?
Jack places a sophisticated virtual human(s) within a virtual reality (VR)
environment. The software includes the powerful animation, modelling and
programing tools required for virtual reality applications. Engineers can
create models within Jack, or import geometry from CAD/CAM packages.
Using Jack, designs can be tested for comfort, reach and fit. The US Department
of Defense recommends Jack to companies trying to meet its MANPRINT
requirements. Accident investigators, architects, and medical physicists have
also used Jack to rapidly perform tasks that would otherwise require complex
analyses and expensive mock-ups.
Features and improvements
Jack features anthropometric data from over 10,000 subjects. These data cover
the size and movement of 70 body segments and 88 joints, including detailed
hands. The latest version offers interactive spreadsheet control over the size
and movement of 30 major body segments and 25 joints. This allows designs to be
tested against all figure sizes from fifth percentile (smallest) to ninety-
fifth percentile (largest).
Version 5.8 of Jack allows continuous measurement of strength. Jack can measure
how much strength is available to each limb in any position. This information
can be displayed as a bar graph which changes in real-time as the figure moves.
View cones can be displayed to show the mannequin's area of vision. A window
can also be opened on-screen to display what the mannequin sees. New to version
5.8 is the introduction of mirrors. This allows the software to model field of
vision through rear view mirrors.
Jack's powerful ray-tracing software allows multiple light sources, plus the
ability to set the texture, surface pattern, colour and reflectivity of each
element of the drawing. Animations at up to 60 frames per second can be created.
Version 5.8 includes real-time preview of animations, better rendering, and
features to make animating easy.
Jack is an interactive system. Users can position the Jack human figure's limbs
on-screen using a mouse. Pop-up menus make Jack easy for beginners to learn.
Two days training is sufficient to get new users started.
The software's functionality can be extended by programming the XLisp API. This
new feature allows users to model real-world behaviour and share custom
extensions.
Jack works alongside any of the major CAD packages. It can import drawings from
Catia, ProEngineer, CADDS, InterGraph, SDRC, and AutoCAD. Version 5.8 features
a new bi-directional IGES translator. Once drawings are within Jack, engineers
can constrain the motion of each component. They can also motorise components
to move in real time. Unlike other VR packages, Jack allows the creation of
multiple joints and chains within the main application, cutting the time it
takes to convert a CAD/CAM drawing into a working virtual model.
Version 5.8 supports virtual reality input devices. For instance, using the
Flock of Birds motion sensing system, an operator can match the mannequin's
motion to his or her own.
Requirements
Jack runs on a wide range of Silicon Graphics workstations including the
Indigo, Crimson, Power and Onyx series.
Users
Developed at the University of Pennsylvania, Jack is used by companies such as
NASA, General Dynamics and Ford. British users include British Aerospace and
Vickers Defence Systems. These companies expect to save millions of pounds by
identifying hazards and design changes early in the design process, without
building expensive mock-ups.
Education Market Pricing
Jack is available to educational users in the UK and Europe at a special price
of 1200 (pounds sterling) This reflects a GREATER than 90% discount from the
commercial price of Jack. Such educational versions are licence locked and
subject to a strict licence prohibiting work for commercial gain - Jack
educational licences must only be used for bona fide research and academic
studies.
Goodwin Marcus Systems Ltd
Formed in 1988, GMS Ltd. is also the sole UK reseller of ProEngineer. GMS are
workstation specialists, focusing on leading edge 3D graphics technology
applications and are the exclusive distributors for Jack across the whole
of Europe and Scandinavia.
GMS Ltd., Marcus House, 75_79 Wheelock Street, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 9AE
Telephone 44 (0)606 836093 Fax 44 (0)606 835643
e-mail info@gmsl.co.uk
For further information :-
Contact - Bob Goodwin, Dennis Wright or Mike Whale at the above number.