New Animation Functionality Key Feature of HOOPS 3D Application Framework v9.0 from Tech Soft.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 9, 2003 Rendering Improvements, Advanced NURBS Surface Tessellation In surface modeling and solid modeling, the method used to represent 3D objects as a collection of triangles or other polygons. All surfaces, both curved and straight, are turned into triangles either at the time they are first created or in real time when they are rendered. Control and Faster HLR (Home Location Register) A database in a cellular system that contains all the subscribers within the provider's home service area. When a subscriber reaches a new service area, the data in the HLR is requested and transferred via SS7 to the VLR (Visitor Location Algorithm Highlights of Latest Graphics Component Library Tech Soft America (TSA TSA See tax-sheltered annuity (TSA). ), the leading provider of graphics components to the engineering software industry, continues to deliver advanced features in their HOOPS 3D Application Framework (HOOPS/3dAF) technology. With the 9.0 release, developers can now author XML XML in full Extensible Markup Language. Markup language developed to be a simplified and more structural version of SGML. It incorporates features of HTML (e.g., hypertext linking), but is designed to overcome some of HTML's limitations. animation data to act on their HOOPS-based models. This capability is of particular value for CAE (1) (Computer-Aided Engineering) Software that analyzes designs which have been created in the computer or that have been created elsewhere and entered into the computer. post-processing, simulation, training, maintenance and e-commerce applications. The Animation & Behaviors Specification is both powerful and intuitive; supporting the movement of both objects and cameras, attribute changes including color and color ramp modifications and the creation, deletion and modification of geometry within the scene. In addition to the animation support there were a number of additional features added in the 9.0 release many of which originated as feature requests from the HOOPS User Community. Some of the highlights include: Shadow Support: HOOPS/3dGS now includes support for "faux" shadows. Via a simple API (Application Programming Interface) A language and message format used by an application program to communicate with the operating system or some other control program such as a database management system (DBMS) or communications protocol. Developers define a light source and the shadow plane which the shadow is then drawn onto. Any subsequent modifications to the scene, such as geometry creation, translation or deletion, will cause the shadow to be automatically regenerated. This simple approach for shadow generation significantly improves the photo-realistic qualities of the rendering without compromising the rendering speed or requiring expensive graphics hardware. New Hidden Line Removal Algorithm: A new framebuffer based HLR algorithm now complements the existing analytic HLR already available in HOOPS/3dGS. By using a multi-pass rendering technique you can fully leverage your graphics hardware without losing important HLR functionality such as having the ability to view the hidden lines with the different attributes than the visible lines. More sophisticated control over NURBS Surface tessellation: New controls enable the user to control the angular and chordal chord·al adj. Of or relating to a chorda or cord. tolerance as well as the length of the facets generated for NURBS Surfaces. Cap Geometry Support: HOOPS/3dGS now has in-built support for cap edges and cap planes on geometry which is intersected by cutting planes within the scene. LODS LODS Location Discovery Service LODS Load String supporting Textures: Levels of Detail functionality now supports vertex A corner point of a triangle or other geometric image. Vertices is the plural form of this term. See vertex shader. parameters which will allow LODS to contain textures or color ramps. For a more exhaustive list of the features in the 9.0 release you should visit the HOOPS Developer Zone at: http://developer.hoops3d.com/90_release/9.0_features.html. "We are impressed with the broad set of advancements in this latest release of the HOOPS 3D Application Framework. TSA has always worked hard to respond to the demands of the marketplace and ensure that their software contains leading-edge features. This means that we can quickly advance our own CADIQ software to stay ahead of the industry curve," commented Don Hemmelgarn, President of ITI/Transcendata. Added Ron Fritz, Managing Partner for TSA, "Beyond our standard customer responsiveness, the inclusion of full animation support makes this a monumental release. Animation is quickly becoming a critical element of a number of engineering software domains and our HOOPS framework will now help developers quickly add this sophisticated capability. HOOPS 9.0 further demonstrates what a powerful and complete system the HOOPS framework is for building a wide range of engineering software applications." About HOOPS 3D Application Framework HOOPS/3dAF serves as the core graphics engine in numerous leading applications. As an extensible, high-level framework, HOOPS/3dAF dramatically simplifies the design, development and maintenance of high-performance, interactive 2D/3D applications. Shipping products based on HOOPS/3dAF range from lightweight web viewers to high-end CAD and CAE applications running on Windows, UNIX UNIX Operating system for digital computers, developed by Ken Thompson of Bell Laboratories in 1969. It was initially designed for a single user (the name was a pun on the earlier operating system Multics). , LINUX, and even Windows CE-based handheld devices. Many leading developers of engineering software, including PTC (PTC, Needham, MA, www.ptc.com) Long a world leader in mechanical computer-aided design, manufacturing and engineering software, PTC, through acquisitions and reorganization, has transformed itself into a leading provider of Internet-based B2B solutions for discrete manufacturers. , SolidWorks, MSC (1) (MSC.Software Corporation, Santa Ana, CA, www.mscsoftware.com) Founded in 1963 by Richard H. MacNeal and Robert G. Schwendler, MSC is the world's largest provider of mechanical computer aided engineering (MCAE) strategies, simulation software and services. .Software, Autodesk/CaiCE, Hitachi Zosen, Famotik, COADE, ITI/Transcendata, Bentley/Infrasoft, Hitachi Zosen, Caterpillar, Boeing, Fluent, CADKEY, Proficiency and 150+ others rely on HOOPS technology in one or more shipping applications to drastically reduce R&D costs, dramatically speed time-to-market, enhance the graphics performance and functionality of their applications and enable them to focus on their core competency A core competency is something that a firm can do well and that meets the following three conditions specified by Hamel and Prahalad (1990):
With HOOPS/3dAF, the base infrastructure for building highly custom, high performance applications is already optimally designed and built. Developers work from a high level to extend and customize the framework, taking advantage of the power of the underlying set of components, and focusing their development efforts on their true value-add rather than attempting to re-invent the vast power and functionality already encapsulated encapsulated Localized Oncology adjective Confined to a specific area, surrounded by a thin layer of fibrous tissue; encapsulation generally refers to a tumor confined to a specific area, surrounded by a capsule. See Islet encapsulation. within the HOOPS product set. About Tech Soft America Tech Soft America (TSA) provides premier customer driven development tools, consulting and support services support services Psychology Non-health care-related ancillary services–eg, transportation, financial aid, support groups, homemaker services, respite services, and other services enabling their partners to rapidly deliver world-class technical software. TSA develops the HOOPS 3D Application Framework, HOOPS Stream Toolkit and HOOPS Net Server, which dramatically simplify the design, development and maintenance of high-performance, interactive 2D and 3D applications built for desktop or browser-based applications running, Windows, Unix and Linux, Windows CE-based handheld devices. HOOPS 3D technology has been incorporated into over 150 commercial software applications from many leading engineering software firms The company maintains corporate headquarters in Oakland, Calif., and can be reached at http://www.hoops3d.com. Note to Editors: HOOPS is a registered trademark. |
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