The first thing that users will notice when using Pioneer is its unique interface. Unlike other VRML authoring tools, Pioneer allows users to create worlds in a dynamic perspective space with real-time feedback. Users can see objects move as they drag the mouse and can reach out, grab, bend, and twist 3-D objects. Additionally, its possible to bring up an additional viewpoint to help with object placement and editing. Users can do all their building in one modeless, integrated, immersive interface.

3-D Guide Tool and Task-Based Tutorials

Even if users are new to 3-D building in virtual spaces, Pioneer makes it easy for them. To get users up and running quickly, the product includes task and tool-based tutorials. Tool-based tutorials depict actual simulations of the tool at work; task-based tutorials illustrate how to create an object step by step. Unlike static documents, these tutorials were designed to show users how a tool would be utilized in an actual design effort. When users start the program the first time, they'll find several tutorials that guide them through the tasks of creating a model and assembling a scene. Additionally, each tool has its own pre-recorded demo of how the tool works. Users that don't remember how a tool works, can simply right click on the tool help icon, and then right click on the tool they need help with, to run the tutorial.

Real Modeling in a True VRML World Building Tool

While most VRML building tools only allow users to import models, arrange them, and add some hyperlinks (scene assembly), Caligari Pioneer includes this and goes beyond it, allowing users to create objects based on various 3-D shapes such as spheres, cubes, cones, and cylinders (3-D modeling/object scene creation). Caligari Pioneer includes modeling features that allow users to modify individual details of any object for a more realistic look than other builders which tend to create blocky looking, simplistic content. Users can also draw 2-D polygons and transform them into 3-D objects through lathing, tips, and extrusions. TrueType fonts are used to create three dimensional logos and text. Editing is object-oriented and can even be done on a face level.

While Pioneer's modeling features are impressive, what is unprecedented in a VRML product at this price point is Caligari Pioneer's 3-D Boolean operations. Booleans make it easy to build VRML "Home Worlds" with 'subtract', 'intersect' and 'join' tools. For example, in creating a vehicle, one can easily create the wheel-wells for the tires, by intersecting the vehicle's body with a correctly positioned cylinder, and simply performing a Boolean subtract. The result of the operation will be a hole cut in the vehicle's body where the user can now easily place a tire. Pioneer's powerful Boolean operations allow other simple but powerful ways to build objects that would be very difficult to do in other (scene-assembly-based) VRML builders.

While modeling is the real key to Caligari Pioneer, users can still set up a VRML world in minutes. With Caligari Pioneer, users can import 3-D objects from trueSpace, AutoCAD™, 3-D Studio™, Wavefront™, Imagine™ and LightWave™ formats, making it easy to set up a simple VRML "Home World" in under 30 minutes. Many users who are just getting started in 3-D have existing 2-D files, Pioneer can import 2-D illustration files via JPEG. With these features, users can bring in objects and arrange them in a VRML world and have it finished in minutes.

After users have finished modeling their objects and arranging their worlds, they will want to add textures and colors. Caligari Pioneer allows them to manipulate texture-mapped objects in real time. Pioneer lets users assign material attributes not only for entire objects, but also on a per-face basis. It includes vertex painting tools, which allows users to create multi-color gradients across surfaces and see the results in real-time. Paint textures onto objects and see the results immediately. Users can choose between infinite and local light sources, and when arranging 3-D shapes, work with fully colored textured objects that accurately reflect "virtual" light.

Building a great VRML world doesn't do users any good if it is so complex that download times and movement in the world is slow. A true VRML world building tool should have options built in for reducing the size of VRML files. Dealing with the relatively low bandwidth of the Internet, a good VRML tool must be able to streamline its file size for quicker downloads and faster navigation. To accomplish this, Caligari Pioneer allows users to create objects with Levels Of Detail (LOD), and allows them to inline objects, textures or levels of detail. LOD objects have very little resolution when viewed from a distance, but fill in with greater detail as a user navigates towards them, increasing navigation performance. Furthermore, users can reduce file size with GZIP compression, which makes for much faster downloads.

Linking with Pioneer is simple. With a single click of the mouse, users have the ability to link URL's to both 2-D and 3-D sites. This makes it easy to create a virtual store, where people can actually look at a three-dimensional representation of products. Each product could be linked to a 2-D HTML page, so that customers can get product information or place an order.

Integrated Browsing

Also a full-featured VRML browser, Pioneer allows users to make sure their links work, inlines load as intended, navigation through the scene is comfortable, and downloads are fast, simply by switching from build to browse mode with a single mouse click. It supports not only textures and inlining, but also Levels Of Detail (LOD). We have gone to great lengths to make navigation through VRML scenes as easy as possible with Caligari Pioneer. If users already know how to navigate in games like DOOM, they should be up and flying in no time at all. With Constant Frame Rate you won't see the jerky motion of other browsers; enjoy smooth, fluid VRML navigation. Finally, users get 3-D sound (another industry first) and 3-D bookmarks. With 3-D sound users won't only see the world around them, they'll actually hear it. 3-D sound allows a user to more completely interact with his/her environment as they can tell how close or far away an object is, if it's in front of or behind them, and whether its above or below them. Finally, users get 3-D bookmarks or "Virtual Neighborhoods". These "Virtual Neighborhood's work like 2-D bookmarks, but they allow you to assemble a collection of 3D objects that link to your favorite sites. Simply pick favorite sites, mark them, and users are off with one click of the mouse.

Publish Your Worlds on the Web

Last but not least, Caligari Pioneer will allow users to create and publish their "Home Worlds" with an unprecedented Internet publishing opportunity. Utilizing Caligari's one-button "transparent Internet publishing" feature, users can quickly upload their newly created world, without the use of FTP software, to Caligari's new VRML Publishing World. This new site will allow anyone, even those without server access, to publish their worlds for family, friends and the whole world to see. This is the first time, to our knowledge, that a tool developer has provided such a comprehensive development environment for its users. We want people to feel comfortable with this new technology and see the power it has to convey their message. Get Publishing!

WHY CALIGARI PIONEER?

When users are ready to move up to commercial VRML development, we've got them covered with Caligari Pioneer Pro. The professional version of Caligari Pioneer, Pioneer Pro, incorporates even more exclusive modeling features for designing the most compelling commercial VRML "Home Worlds" on the web.

WHO NEEDS CALIGARI PIONEER?

Novices in 3-D design need not worry, because creating a VRML world in Caligari Pioneer is easy. First they can take a tour through the interactive task-based tutorials to get a feel of how to use the various tools to create a world. Then to get started quickly, simply pick some 3-D objects to use, drop them into the world being created and there are the beginnings of a VRML world. As users' VRML design talents begin to blossom, they can explore the 3-D modeling capabilities in the product and see first hand how custom modeling makes their site look more realistic and much more original than sites created with other VRML builders.

CALIGARI PIONEER FACTS