Alias/Wavefront Software Used To Design Olympic Torch; Australia's Blue Sky Design Creates Technological Wonder with Help of DesignStudio 3D Modeling Software.

Business Editors, Technology Writers

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 2000

Alias/Wavefront(TM), an SGI (NYSE:SGI) company, announced today that its DesignStudio(TM) software was instrumental in the creation of the Olympic(R) torch for the Summer Olympics.

This symbol of international pride has traveled through 14 countries over the past four months and will open the Games in Sydney, Australia on Sept. 15.

Blue Sky Design was selected by the Sydney Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) as the official creator of the Summer Olympics torch. The firm uses Alias/Wavefront software for conceptual design and surface modeling.

"DesignStudio is a very fundamental part of our process, so that early on in the design phase we move into 3D. We don't create highly detailed sketches anymore because the software is so quick at generating forms for us to evaluate," explained Mark Armstrong, Director of Blue Sky Design.

Design Criteria 

In November of 1998 the SOCOG issued a brief to 40 firms, inviting them to participate in a competition for the best design of the official Olympic torch. The brief outlined several requirements that Blue Sky used to guide the development of four proposed designs. Among them was the stipulation that the torch weigh no more than 1.5 kilos and have a burn time of at least 30 minutes. The torch also could not emit pollutants into the atmosphere, must have a bright and visible flame, and must be able to withstand up to 90 kph winds, rain and even snow.

In addition, the torch must perform in varying attitudes so it can function in different environments, such as while traveling on a camel or on a bicycle. It must accommodate a wide range of ergonomic needs so people ranging from 12 year old children to the elderly can carry it easily. And finally, the torch had to represent the spirit of Sydney, Australia and the spirit of the Olympics.

Blue Sky Approach

After analyzing the design criteria, Blue Sky's first step was to research everything about Olympic torches. "We reviewed all of the predecessors, from 1939 at the beginning of the modern Olympic era, right through to the last one at Nagano, Japan," said Armstrong.

"For example, when we looked at the Moscow Games, the torch had a certain simplicity and functional approach that almost looked Russian to us. The Japanese design was elegant and simple, and even before you saw the finely engraved text of Nagano, you could almost label it as Japanese. We realized that our design had to have that same quality. We also wanted the spirit of innovation, so we selected processes that had never been used before in Olympic torches," concluded Armstrong.

Design Process

Blue Sky started with traditional hand sketches and took inspiration from the Sydney Opera House(R) and Sydney Harbour. The firm submitted four designs to SOCOG, using Alias/Wavefront software to model all four proposals. Once the concepts had been prepared, they were documented with cost estimates, delivery schedules and manufacturing methods.

"We presented DesignStudio renderings showing the torches with flames in place and with runners, all photo-montaged to give more reality to the design. The conceptual phase was completed in less than four weeks. Soon after the SOCOG informed us of their selection, the design that was drawn and modeled in DesignStudio by our senior designer, Robert Jurgens," said Armstrong.

Alias/Wavefront Software at Work

"DesignStudio worked particularly well in helping us develop the surface finish treatment. We had levels of transparency and reflectivity on all of the surfaces, and we were able to control these very well with DesignStudio. That meant our first submission had a very positive effect on the selection committee at SOCOG because the images were lifelike and so vibrant. The color and materials we selected plus the DesignStudio representation of the reflectivity and surface detail really made the images jump. That was an important part in helping us win the tender. Obviously the design has to be good, but the next thing is presentation and DesignStudio did that very well," said Armstrong.

"Another thing we've found to be incredibly powerful with DesignStudio is in our relationship with the model making file. With a DesignStudio file we don't have to import it into Pro/ENGINEER(R) and start detailing. In the early concept phase, we can simply e-mail the surface file to our model makers who then make a foam model and NC it," said Armstrong.

"The torch design process was a very accelerated development period and I don't think we could have won the tender if we'd gone with traditional methods. I couldn't imagine achieving the same level of quality in the same time," said Armstrong.

Final Design

The Sydney games torch is a graceful arc of high tech aluminum and stainless steel with an outer shell symbolizing the Opera House and an inner bright blue layer symbolizing the waters of Sydney Harbour. The torch curvature is inspired by an Aboriginal hunting boomerang. It is 28 inches long and weighs just over two pounds.

A rain and wind shield allows the flame to run in any weather condition and a butane-propane gas cylinder contains enough fuel to provide a 10 inch flame for 20 minutes. The design prevents the torch from getting warm to the touch and keeps the flame from bobbing down or making any contact with the torchbearer's arm. A built-in safety system extinguishes the torch if it is left on the ground or inverted.

Let The Games Begin

The Sydney Olympics torch is now reaching its final destination after the longest relay in Olympic history. More than 13,000 bearers have brought it from Athens to Sydney and the team of people who worked on its design and production over the last two years are sure to be watching proudly as the final torch is lit to open the games on Sept. 15, 2000.

About Blue Sky

Founded in 1984 by Mark Armstrong and Cameron Robinson, Blue Sky Design is a multi-disciplinary design team comprised of industrial designers, graphic designers, environmental specialists, engineers and multimedia experts.

The firm's expertise covers consumer product design (electronic equipment, domestic appliances, white goods, sporting goods), urban design (street furniture and pedestrian bridges), professional product design (medical equipment, lighting systems, information technology products), retail design and telecommunications. Clients range from local manufacturers to international corporations.

About Alias/Wavefront

Alias/Wavefront is the world's leading developer of CAID (computer-aided industrial design) software. For over 15 years, the company has been a leading supplier of design software developed specifically for industrial designers. Around the world, designers have used Alias/Wavefront products to produce award-winning designs for everything from laptop computers, sporting equipment, cellular telephones, medical equipment and children's toys to fashion accessories.

As the world's leading innovator of 2D and 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, Renault, Rollerblade, Teague and Timex.

Alias/Wavefront is a wholly owned, independent software company of SGITM with headquarters in Toronto and technical centers in Seattle and Santa Barbara.

For more information, readers can access Alias/Wavefront's web site at www.aliaswavefront.com. Readers can also contact the nearest sales office or Channel Partner in their area; North America: 800 447 2542; Europe + 800 4125 4125; Italy 800 791 174; Asia-Pacific 81 33470 8282; and Latin America 525 203 0030.

Note to Editors:

1. Some of the material for this news release was supplied by

Echo Magazines Pty Ltd of Brisbane, Australia, publishers of

Multi-CAD(R)Magazine. Echo Magazines can be reached at

[e-mail]. Web site is www.echomags.com.au.

2. Digital Images Available

Note to Editors: Throughout this release the vertical bar symbol in the company name Alias/Wavefront has been changed to a "/", since the vertical bar causes transmission problems on many systems.