SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 29, 1997--
Microsoft, World Movers' Sponsors, and Leading Tool Vendors
Team with Viewpoint to Jump-Start 3D on the Web
Viewpoint DataLabs(TM) today outlined its commitment to the VRML standard specification for creating and interacting with 3D worlds on the Internet.
This commitment includes the development of the world's largest library of high quality models in the virtual reality modeling language (VRML) 2.0 file format. The company also announced a series of agreements with industry leaders -- including Microsoft Corp., the World Movers VRML 2.0 Developers' Conference and its hosts and co-sponsors, as well as Template Graphics Software Inc., VREAM Inc. and Integrated Data Systems -- that will help accelerate the widespread development and use of 3D content and applications for the Web.
"Developers are up against steep learning curves, increasing competition and time-to-market pressures. In addition to the right tools and technologies, they need a compelling source of high quality models to make 3D a reality," said John Latta, president of 4th Wave, a leading industry consulting firm and producer of The Wave Report. "Viewpoint is creating and delivering the products to fill this void and become the definitive source of quality 3D digital content for the desktop."
In separate yet related announcements today for the World Movers conference, Viewpoint and Seybold Seminars announced "The Official World Movers `97 CD ROM," featuring more than 1,000 3D models from Viewpoint in the VRML 2.0 format. The CD also includes related Internet utilities and information from conference hosts Apple Computer Inc., Netscape Communications Corporation, Silicon Graphics Inc., S3 Inc. and co-sponsors 3Dlabs, Intervista Software Inc. and Microsoft Corp. In addition, Viewpoint and Microsoft will make available to conference attendees a CD ROM featuring a selection of additional 3D models from Viewpoint for VRML 2.0.
"We are committed to VRML and helping ease the development of high-quality 3D content on the Web," said Kate Seekings, product manager, Microsoft. "Viewpoint's extensive library of VRML 2.0 3D models will help foster the creation of compelling 3D worlds in the Internet community."
"Viewpoint's pioneering experience in high-end film, video and simulation industries will bring critical expertise and momentum to the Web community," said Sherry Huss, general manager, World Movers.
In addition to licensing 3D models to individual VRML developers, Viewpoint has a strong OEM program for licensing large groups of 3D models to be bundled with VRML design and modeling tools. Within the past six months, several leading VRML software tool vendors have partnered with Viewpoint in OEM agreements to license hundreds of select 3D models in the VRML 2.0 format. Template Graphics Software's 3Space(TM), VREAM's VRCreator(TM), and Integrated Data Systems' V-Realm(TM) are all currently shipping with special collections of Viewpoint's 3D digital content.
As Viewpoint creates and publishes a broader array of 3D content for its already extensive library, the company continues to focus on quality. Products that contain Viewpoint 3D content are designated by the "Viewpoint 3D Digital Content" logo to indicate they contain 3D models which adhere to Viewpoint's quality guidelines.
Viewpoint is the source of 3D models featured in award-winning special effects for films such as Independence Day, Space Jam, Batman, Waterworld, and Star Trek Voyager; TV programs such as The Simpsons Go 3D and commercials for Mercedes Benz, Oldsmobile Aurora, Barbie, and Shell Oil; and multimedia titles such as 3D Visual Home, Body Works, Ripley's Believe It or Not, and StarTrek, The Next Generation. Over the past eight years, the company has played a critical "behind-the-scenes" role in creating cutting-edge three-dimensional models for animators in the high-end film, video, simulation and interactive entertainment markets.
"Today's announcements represent the first in a series of developments to bring our expertise to the forefront of the emerging desktop multimedia industry and enable the development and use of 3D in Web, interactive multimedia and games markets," said Martin Plaehn, president and CEO of Viewpoint. "VRML 2.0 is emerging as a next generation open Internet standard for 3D on the Web. Viewpoint is committed to advancing the technology and providing developers with the most `usable' source of 3D digital content -- including the right selection, quality and access -- to meet all their production needs."
Viewpoint has already developed the largest and fastest growing library of quality 3D models for VRML 2.0. Over 2,000 objects are represented in categories including transportation, nature, architecture and accessories. This resource can be browsed on Viewpoint's new VRML Web site, located at the company's Web page viewpoint.com -- recently selected as a Gold Site, one of the best on the Web, by NetGuide.
Viewpoint DataLabs International
Founded in 1988, Viewpoint is the pioneer and worldwide leader in 3D digital content creation and publishing. The company's unparalleled 3D digital library and 3D modeling services -- widely recognized as the industry standard for three-dimensional models -- are used by award-winning content creators to develop 3D animations and designs for the film & video, games & interactive media, Internet and desktop graphics markets. Viewpoint's products are speeding and innovating the creative production cycle and the widespread use of 3D content on the desktop.
Contact Viewpoint at 1-800-DATASET or 1-801-229-3000, or through its Web page at viewpoint.com .
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NOTES:
-- SOFTBANK Expos, the SOFTBANK Expos logo and Seybold Seminars
are trademarks or registered trademarks owned or used
under license by SOFTBANK Exposition and Conference Co. L.P.
-- Viewpoint DataLabs is a trademark and DataShop is registered
trademarks of Viewpoint DataLabs International Inc.
-- Microsoft is either a registered trademark or trademark of
Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other
countries.
-- TGS and 3Space are trademarks of Template Graphics Software Inc.
-- VREAM and VRCreator are trademarks of VREAM Inc.
-- VRealm is a trademark of IDS.
-- All company or product names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.
CONTACT:
For more information, press only:
MacKenzie Kesselring Inc.
Leslie Kesselring, 801/359-1005
or lesliek@mkinc.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED
NTERACTIVE/MULTIMEDIA/INTERNET
BW1152 JAN 29,1997
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