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VizStream:
Streaming 3D Technology
The Need
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Traditional
technologies representing 3D information over Internet, such
as Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML), encounter
numerous bandwidth, hardware and software limitations: slow
transfer speeds across network connections, sluggish rendering
and an inability to collaborate with distant clients. The problem is that even a small 5MB VRML file
could take upwards of twenty minutes to download over a 28.8K
modem. Streaming
technologies, such as RealityWave's VizStream, are the
practical alternatives to non-streaming technologies. |

A
Digger Model by VizStream |
The Technology
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VizStream streaming 3D technologies incrementally deliver the 3D data.
Users can immediately interact with the 3D model or
environment without waiting for it to download. As the user
continues to interact, more detail 'streams' to the user's
computer. Streaming 3D drastically reduces the bandwidth
required to effectively use 3D content. VizStream even works
over a 28.8 kbps modem.
The patented RealityWave
streaming technology allows a user to look at
three-dimensional data, even when the user can only connect to
the source of that data through a low bandwidth connection.
This is achieved by carefully prioritizing the data so that
the information that will be most visible to the user is sent
across the network first. These changes in
importance are used to continually choose the most relevant
information to transmit across the network connection.
VizStream prioritizes streaming
based on the users point of view. The technology initially
streams the part of the model or environment that is directly
in the viewer's line of sight. Distant or small objects are
approximated and delivered in a single stream. As the user
moves closer to examine an object in the environment, the
object stream splits to deliver more information and detail.
The VizStream architecture are:
- The VizStream Server. The server stores three-dimensional models and can
respond to the prioritized requests necessary in the streaming
protocol. The Server runs as a Windows NT
service.
- The VizStream Client. It
is designed to integrate into applications using ActiveX
control/viewer. It allows applications to connect to the
VizStream server and
to render the three-dimensional models that are stored there.
The ActiveX Control runs on
Windows 95/98/NT.
- The VizStream API.
The VizStream Components contain and extensive API for
third party application.
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As the user
views a model from different positions and orientations, the
relative importance of different parts of the model changes |
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Application
of VizStream technology are:
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3D product design:
design teams and customers, located throughout the world, can
collaborate in 3D in real-time.
- Marketing:
a Web site becomes more dynamic and interactive,
differentiating it from the competition.
- Sales:
a user can view a company’s wares in 3D and customize
various configurations of the product.
- Support: 3D
collaboration between users and technicians greatly aid in
supporting products.
- Training: trainees
can learn to use a product remotely without expensive training
equipment.
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The Benefits
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- VizStream's
performance is truly independent of the size and detail of
the 3D model.
- Because VizStream can handle
large and detailed models, designers can use their original
models and users can zoom in to and even take apart those
models.
- VizStream can handle all 3D
models regardless of how well they are designed.
- Users can create a website with
exact original models in full detail quickly and inexpensively
- VizStream's support for client
side modifications to models allows users to configure
products or view animations.
- When a user makes a change to
the model, VizStream sends only those changes to other users.
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Because VizStream is so careful about what it sends, the
real-time collaboration features work over any speed Internet
connection.
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Status
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VizStream
is a patented technology from RealityWave, Inc. Products
created by RealityWave using this VizStream technology are:
- RealityWave to create fast, streaming 3D Web sites
quickly and easily.
- To enables users to run real-time, collaborative CAD
design sessions from existing CAD software application.
RealityWave provides two
options for purchasing the VizStream WebKit:
- The VizStream WebKit is
$1800 for the server and 5 Concurrent Users. Additional
Concurrent Users are $360 apiece.
- A 3DSP Account is
$15/month/Concurrent User. There is a minimum of 2
Concurrent Users and a minimum of 3 months of service.
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Barriers
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Limitations
of this technology are that its server only support Microsoft
NT and since it uses ActiveX technology, the client side only
works with Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher. |
Points of Contact
- Jenni Neri,
Director of Marketing, RealityWave, Inc., 128 Rogers Street,
Cambridge, MA 02142, Phone: (617) 492-0900 x105, Email: jennineri@realitywave.com
Disclaimer Statement
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Neither the Construction
Industry Institute nor Purdue University in any way endorses this
technology or represents
that the information presented can be relied upon without further investigation. |
MA40 |