Dear Patrice,
sorry, dont have much financial information to hand. A browse
thru the relevant websites didnt show anything on the 3D browser.
Also, nothing new on RTG. I was glad to see they are using the
RTG algorithms in the Infini-4.1 for NT and 95 software, but
when I phoned them at that time (some months back) it became
clear that they've really missed the point IMHO. These days there
are 3d accelerator chips in many computers that are much fatser
than any software solution and many modern games make use of them.
When I asked them which chips are supported via drivers (as
opposed to all software) they said 'none' as if it was some
kind of advantage. Thats was MCRE technical support. I HOPE
theyre working on such drivers (eg at least for the infamous
intel 740GT chip) but no sign of that, nor of that chip. Checked
the intel site too: nothing. Until we see signs of drivers, I
would not expect too much from the RTG thing other than the
nice by expensive 3d scanning and some temporary all-software
algorithms.
Anyhow, bought some more MCRE yesterday at the low. I always
have the feeling of somehting brewing with this co. At least they
finally released Bryce 3d. I guess again without 3d drivers.
Shahn
CARPINTERIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 10, 1997--MetaCreations Corp. (Nasdaq:MCRE - news) Wednesday
announced it is shipping the much anticipated Bryce 3D.
For professional graphic artists, Web designers, game developers and loyal Bryce fans, this version is set to expand the horizon of
3-D image creation by adding the ability to easily add animation and atmospheric effects to a scene. Once a product that created
compelling natural and surreal 3-D worlds for the print world, Bryce 3D will now produce broadcast-quality 3-D motion graphics
that can be saved as AVI or QuickTime movies.
When immersed inside Bryce 3D, graphic artists will find new animation controls that allow any property such as atmosphere,
objects, imported 3-D models or terrains to be animated. With Bryce 3D, artists can literally ''move any mountain'' and command
clouds to roll by as twin suns set on an alien horizon.
Any imported 3-D model or object can be laid down on a geometric ribbon-like path with no time value associated to it, creating
unique 3-D animations. All the new animation and effects features will be made possible in Bryce 3D by the hierarchical grouping
of objects and events via keyframing.
''Bryce has come full circle from creating breathtaking natural 3-D worlds and abstract still scene files to fully navigable 3-D
interaction,'' said John Wilczak, president and CEO of MetaCreations. ''This release of Bryce 3D will integrate powerful
animation and file support, but retain its elegant, easy-to-use interface that we're so well known for. It's a true victory for 3-D
artists and animators -- both professional and the serious hobbyist.''
Artists will be able to simulate real-world camera motion with a choice of several movement modes. Rotation, curves, dips and
fly-over motion commands will be easily implemented in Bryce 3D. The new keyframe animator will offer full velocity control over
each object's timeline, setting the keyframes to fit each adjustment. All motion paths in Bryce 3D can be edited, saved as presets
and imported or exported.
The Materials and Textures palette will include a vastly expanded and updated library, including:
Sky and Fog settings with extended choices.
New Hyper Textures that add volumetric properties producing
penetrable atmospheres that objects, cameras or lights can
move through.
-- Moons with actual lunar map textures; phases of the moon from
waning to waxing and optical effects for lunar and solar
eclipses.
-- Customized random star fields for unlimited choices of star
patterns.
Rainbows that simulate actual water vapor refractions.
Infinite slab in the primitives palette creates an infinite
plane, scaleable in depth, width and breadth, allowing any
volumetric property or texture to be applied.
A benchmark of Bryce 3D is its unique high-quality output and ease of use that has not been reproduced in any other application.
Bryce 3D will offer increased speed, performance and productivity with its advanced raytracing renderer and a shaded
animation/still frame preview that takes advantage of Direct X5, Open GL, and a proprietary software acceleration application
developed by MetaCreations.
Import File Formats
DXF, 3DMF and OBJ import allows Bryce 3D to import simple polygonal models from programs like Poser and Detailer while
maintaining their texture map. This feature pushes Bryce beyond the realm of just a landscape renderer.
Compatibility
Users can save images and animations in the most popular formats: Tiff, PICT, BMP, QuickTime and AVI.
Pricing & Availability
Bryce 3D is available now for Windows 95/NT and Power Macintosh on one hybrid CD-ROM. MetaCreations also plans to
make Bryce 3D available for DEC ALPHA in the future. Suggested retail price is U.S. $299; upgrade price to registered users is
U.S. $99. Customers may call 800/846-0111 for more information.
System Requirements
Macintosh: Power PC processor, Mac OS System 7.1 or later, 16 MB of available RAM, 50 MB of free hard drive space,
CD-ROM drive, 16-bit video and color display.
Windows: Pentium or Pentium Pro-based processor, Windows 95/NT 3.5/NT 4, 16 MB of available RAM, 50 MB of free hard
drive space, CD-ROM Drive, 16-bit video and color display.
MetaCreations Corp., the visual computing software company, designs, develops, publishes, markets and supports software tools
for creating, editing and manipulating computer graphic images, digital art and Internet/online content for Windows, Macintosh and
other computing systems.
Real Time Geometry Corp., MetaCreations' advanced 3-D research lab based in Princeton, N.J., develops innovations related to
the creation, rendering and display of 3-D images, including dynamic scaling of image resolution. Working with distributors in
North America, Europe, Asia, and Central and Latin America, MetaCreations professional and consumer software is available in
more than 50 countries and in as many as eight languages.
MetaCreations' corporate headquarters is located in Santa Barbara County at 6303 Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria, Calif. 93013;
phone 805/566-6200; fax 805/566-6385. MetaCreations in Scotts Valley is located at 5550 Scotts Valley Drive, P.O. Box
66959, Scotts Valley, Calif. 95067-6959; phone 408/430-4100; fax 408/438-9670.
MetaCreations International Ltd. is located at Wilson House, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, Ireland; phone 353-1-662-9333; fax
353-1-662-9334; World Wide Web server: metacreations.com .
NOTE: Bryce 3D is a trademark of MetaCreations Corp. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Copyright 1997 MetaCreations Corp. All rights reserved.
Contact:
MetaCreations Corp.
Teri Campbell or Teresa Bridwell
408/430-4228 or 805/566-6274
teri_campbell@metacreations.com
teresab@metacreations.com |
