Related links on the Okino WEB site:
Toronto, Canada. January 1st 2001 -- Okino Computer Graphics, Inc. today announced integral support for the Viewpoint/Metastream VET/MTS3 WEB streaming technology via an export converter module for Okino's award winning NuGraf Rendering System, PolyTrans 3D Translator, PolyTrans-for3DSMAX and PolyTrans-for-Maya software products. The Metastream MTS3 designation was changed to Viewpoint VET (VET = Viewing Experience Technology) in late 2000. Viewpoint VET is the new 3D streaming file format that addresses the need for 3D files that stream efficiently over the Internet and scale to the user's processing power; VET is targeted primarily as an ideal e-Commerce marketing visualization solution for the WEB although Okino Computer Graphics sees it as a overall great medium to distribute all variety of 3D models (as shown on our VET demonstration page)
The new VET export converter in Okino's PolyTrans and NuGraf software provides an ideal and seamless translation path from all major 3D file formats and modeling programs into the .mts file format. The new export converter also allows users to directly export VET files from 3DS MAX and Maya via the special native plug-in versions of PolyTrans for these respective programs.
"Okino is pleased to have worked with Viewpoint Corporation from the early inception of the VET file format," said Robert Lansdale, President of Okino Computer Graphics, Inc. "Early into the development phase of VET we saw the perfect opportunity to team up with Viewpoint Corp. as a key provider of data translation software, namely our popular PolyTrans product. With the addition of VET support to PolyTrans, users can now convert all popular 3D file formats into the VETfile format, including Maya, 3DS MAX, Lightwave, SoftImage, IGES and dozens more.""At Viewpoint we are committed to providing web developers with greater opportunities for creating high-impact Internet content," said Chris Johnston, Viewpoint Corporation's director of product marketing. "Okino's technologies and their ability to translate 3D files into VET files provides web developers with an opportunity to maximize the tools they are already using to develop rich interactive 3D web content and to deliver this content to the Internet."
An Overview of "Viewpoint VET"
Viewpoint VET enables web users to experience online content like never before. Delivering three-dimensional web content with interactivity and unmatched visual fidelity VET unleashes a true-to-life online shopping experience for all. Through its seamless web media integration, VET is the first Internet solution that incorporates 3D images with other forms of web media, allowing for interaction with virtually any type of online content. No matter the connection speed or hardware VET combines the benefits of the traditional in-store shopping experience with the convenience and user- control of the Internet to bring e-commerce to a new level.
Features of the Okino "Viewpoint VET" Export Converter:
- Output of clean mesh data with optional vertex normals and vertex texture coordinates.
- Embedding of any form of texture image inside a Viewpoint VET file.
- Automatic resizing of texture maps so that they are always a power-of-two in size.
- Material parameter output: ambient color, diffuse color, specular color, emissive color, shininess and transparency.
- Diffuse and bump map texture layer output.
- The proper and integrated use of Viewpoint VET instancing so that multiple instances can share a single geometry (mesh) definition. This can greatly reduce the size of a Viewpoint VET .mts file if there are many instances which share the same basic geometry.
- Hierarchy for geometry and folders ("null nodes" or "empty instances/objects").
- Export of object and camera animation data (version dependent).
- Over a year of usage prior to release has resulted in an exporter options dialog box with dozens of options to control VET output.
PolyTrans & NuGraf, An Overview
Okino's stand-alone "PolyTrans Model Translator" for Windows and SGI was released in August 1996 and has gone on to become one of the most acclaimed and respected 3D geometry translators. Unlike most translation programs which only convert basic polygon geometry, hierarchy and some shading information, PolyTrans is unique in its ability to convert every aspect of a 3D model file; this includes all geometry (meshed polygons with recursive holes, NURB and bicubic patches, and quadrics), object hierarchy, pivot points, smoothing data (vertex normals), (u,v) texture coordinates, bump mapping information (tangent vectors), lights, cameras, all texture projection methods and animation (for specific formats). Okino's NuGraf is the elder sibling of PolyTrans that includes, in addition to everything in PolyTrans, high-end scanline and multi-threaded ray tracing, material editing, bitmap and procedural texture mapping, texture projection methods, extended user interface and font editing. NuGraf received the "IEEE Technical Excellence Award" from IEEE CG&A Magazine in 1997 and the "Golden Pixie" award for 1998.
Notable users of Okino's software include Acuris, ATI, Disney, DPS, Dreamworks, EDS, HP, Hughes, Infobyte, IBM, Intel, JPL, LEGO, MIT Media Labs, PIXAR, REM Infographica, Westwood Studios and major 3D game development companies such as Acclaim Entertainment, Broderbund, Electronic Arts, Interplay, Lucas Arts, Microprose, Namco, Sierra Online, Stage 22, Virgin Interactive, Virtual World Entertainment, Williams/Bally/Midway and thousands more (an interesting list of notable users can be viewed at http://www.okino.com/conv/users.htm.
Supported Import File Formats For Subsequent output to Viewpoint VET
Okino's NuGraf & PolyTrans programs support dozens of major 3D file formats, for import, for export or for both. For the benefit of converting 3D files into the Viewpoint VET file format, the following extensive list of import converters are provided by Okino's NuGraf and PolyTrans software products: 3D Studio, 3D Studio MAX (via native plug-ins), ACIS SAT, Alias PolySet, Apple 3DMF (Quickdraw-3D), DXF, Electric Image FACT, Fractal's Detailer, Houdini's GEO, IGES 5.3, Imagine, Lightwave, Maya/NT 2.0 (via native plug-ins), Pro/Engineer .SLP, SoftImage .hrc models and scene databases, Solid Edge v6/v7, Solid Works 98+, StereoLithography .STL, Strata StudioPro, trueSpace, USGS DEM, Vistapro and Wavefront. The converters have been developed by Okino Computer Graphics over a period of 11 years and are complete implementations of their respective file formats.
Applicable WEB pages
The following are pertinent pages on the Okino WEB site relating to this press release:
Available Through VARs
The Viewpoint VET export converter is available when purchased with Okino's "NuGraf Rendering System" or PolyTrans products. Both are available directly from Okino Computer Graphics and through a growing number of Value Added Resellers (VARs) in the design, CAD, real-time content and multimedia markets. Fully functional demonstration versions (with minor limitations) of the software are available through Okino's Internet WEB site at http://www.okino.com.
Product Pricing
For product pricing, to locate an authorized VAR or for customer inquiries, please contact Okino Computer Graphics at (905) 672-9328 or toll free at (888) 3D-OKINO (1-888-336-5466).
System Requirements
NuGraf and PolyTrans operate efficiently with Pentium-based computers equipped with Windows 2000/NT or Windows 98/95, 32MB of RAM, a SVGA video card, and a hard disk with 40Mb of available space. 3D OpenGL graphics hardware accelerators are supported.
Company Backgrounds
Founded in 1991 and based in Toronto, Ontario, Okino Computer Graphics, Inc. is an industry leader in the development and deployment of 3D model/scenes/NURBS/animation translation technology (PolyTrans), 3D photo- realistic rendering software (NuGraf) and OEM developer software (NuGraf Toolkit). Okino software is used the world over by all major Fortune 1000 companies, production studios, and 3D content creation, game development, CAD, engineering and product design companies. For more information on Okino Computer Graphics, please call 905-672-9328 or visit Okino Computer Graphics' Internet WEB site at http://www.okino.com.
Viewpoint Corporation, formerly Metastream Corporation, an operating subsidiary of MetaCreations Corporation (Nasdaq: MCRE), turns the interactive experience from ordinary to extraordinary. Combining its Viewpoint Experience Technology, Viewpoint Media Player, Viewpoint Strategic Services, and Viewpoint Creative Services, Viewpoint is a leading provider of advanced visualization and marketing solutions for the Web, offering branding, advertising, and commerce solutions. The company focuses on licensing its proprietary Viewpoint technologies for e-commerce initiatives and provides a full range of professional services for implementing enhanced 3D Web marketing solutions for e-merchants, while partnering and supporting interactive agencies, Web content developers and graphic tools companies. The company is headquartered in New York City with additional offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, London and Tokyo. Visit the Viewpoint Web site on the Web at http://www.viewpoint.com.
Documents Available Electronically
Attention editors. This document, as well as screen snapshots and related documents for the Press (in Word for Windows format) can be obtained electronically by visiting http://www.okino.com/press/magpics.htm
PolyTrans and NuGraf are registered trademarks of Okino Computer Graphics, Inc. Okino is a trademark of Okino Computer Graphics, Inc. Viewpoint, Viewpoint Experience Technology, Viewpoint Media Player, Metastream and MetaFlash are either registered trademarks or trademarks of MetaCreations Corporation. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.
Editorial Contact:
Robert Lansdale
Okino Computer Graphics
T: (905) 672 9328
F: (905) 672 2706
Email: lansd@okino.com
WEB: http://www.okino.com