Alias/Wavefront Expands & Improves Functionality in New Release of StudioTools Industrial Design Software
TORONTO--Jan. 24, 2001--Alias/Wavefront(TM), an SGI company, today announced it has broadened 3D computer-aided industrial design (CAID) functions and applications in a new release of its StudioTools(TM) software family.
Key improvements in StudioTools 9.6 include support for large polygonal models, new translators for Spatial ACIS(R) and Engineering Animation Inc. (EAI) DirectModel, as well as WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) plotting and printing. Completely new is the Spider(TM) reverse engineering tool for point cloud processing. StudioTools products include DesignStudio(TM), Studio(TM), AutoStudio(TM) and SurfaceStudio(TM).
"We've extended functionality in more than 70 areas in order to give designers and technical surfacers greater all around control of the models they create in StudioTools, whether they are working in a Windows(R), Irix(R), Sun(TM) Solaris(TM), or Hewlett-Packard(R) HP-UX(R) environment," explained John Gibson, Director, StudioTools at Alias/Wavefront.
Spider and EvalViewer for Powerful Reverse Engineering
For Sun Solaris, HP-UX or IRIX versions of StudioTools 9.6, the EvalViewer(TM) product has been improved to provide robust reverse engineering features. Spider, an all-new option, provides a similar function for Windows NT(R) or Windows(R) 2000 professional systems. When these tools are combined with Studio, AutoStudio or SurfaceStudio software, a designer has a complete solution for incorporating physical models into a digital design workflow.
Scanned data, in a wide variety of file formats, can be processed with advanced tools for hole filling, meshing, and section cutting. Polygon meshes and cross-sections produced in EvalViewer or Spider software, along with the original scanned data, can be transferred to Studio, AutoStudio or SurfaceStudio software for advanced NURBS surface fitting and complete NURBS modeling.
More Major Improvements
Among the many new or upgraded features in StudioTools 9.6 software are:
| -- | Polygons -- Dramatic performance improvements when working with very large polygonal data sets, such as models generated from a scan of a physical object, to help build surfaces from scanned data. Fit Scan and Show Deviations tools now work with polygons. |
| -- | Modeling -- New Rail tool combines Birail and Swept tools. Provides support for multiple generation curves and continuity. Curve/surface editing and evaluation are improved for technical surfacing. |
| -- | Data Translators -- New import and export ability for Spatial ACIS 3D toolkit SAT(R) format and for Unigraphics Solutions(TM) 17, plus new export ability for EAI DirectModel files in Jupiter format. |
| -- | Printing/Plotting -- Plot Setup and Plot Preview are new functions that make it possible to produce a WYSIWYG representation for output. Models can be scaled to fit output paper size and roll-fed paper is stopped and cut as part of printing process. |
| -- | Rendering -- New ability to import multiple shaders, textures or lights, as well as improved Global Quality Level parameter values. |
| -- | Sketching -- New ability to preview how brushes will apply paint with indication of minimum/maximum radius outline and ability to snap a brush to a curve. New interactive manipulator for image plane and layers. These features are available only in StudioTools for Windows. |
Availability
The StudioTools family of software is shipping now. Products include DesignStudio, Studio, AutoStudio and SurfaceStudio.
For more information, please visit the Alias/Wavefront website at www.aliaswavefront.com or call 800/447-2542 in North America. Readers in Europe can call +800 4125 4125 or 800 791 174 in Italy; +353 1 890 2244 in the Middle East and Africa; 81 3 3470 8285 in Asia-Pacific; 0121 764 088 in Japan only and 525 203 0030 in Latin America for the nearest sales office or authorized reseller in their area.
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 the premier supplier of design software developed specifically for the needs of transportation designers, including automotive interiors and exteriors, motorcycles and watercraft. Around the world, designers have also 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, Trek Bicycle, Teague and Timex. Alias/Wavefront is a wholly owned, independent software company of SGI(TM) with headquarters in Toronto and technical centers in Seattle and Santa Barbara.
Note to Editors: Digital Images Available
Alias/Wavefront, the Alias/Wavefront logo, StudioTools, the StudioTools logo, DesignStudio, Studio, SurfaceStudio, AutoStudio, EvalViewer and Spider are trademarks of Alias/Wavefront, a division of Silicon Graphics Limited. Irix is a registered trademark and SGI is a trademark of Silicon Graphics, Inc. Windows, Windows NT and Windows 2000 are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. HP-UX and Hewlett-Packard are registered trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Company. Sun and Solaris are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Unigraphics Solutions is a registered trademark of Unigraphics Solutions, Inc. ACIS and SAT are registered trademarks of Spatial Technology, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Alias/Wavefront, 210 King Street East, Toronto, Canada, M5A 1J7 Tel: 416/362-9181, FAX: 416/369-6140.