Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!dali.cs.montana.edu!milton!sunisv!sense8!tom@Sun.COM From: sunisv!sense8!tom@Sun.COM (Tom Coull) Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds Subject: Sense8 WorldToolKit/WorldTool Development System Message-ID: <18106@milton.u.washington.edu> Date: 9 Mar 91 00:31:31 GMT Sender: hlab@milton.u.washington.edu Lines: 164 Approved: cyberoid@milton.u.washington.edu Here is a description of our WorldToolKit software library, and the WorldTool Development System. Both are now shipping. With the new Texturing Library, a virtual world application developer can build applications that include real-time texture mapping running on a 486 PC! WorldToolKit with the current Intel DVI(tm) hardware supports about 1200 textured polygons per second at 1 Hz and 700 textured polygons per second at 10 Hz. This is running on a standard 80486 25 MHz PC. The new Intel DVI boards (due in July) will have twice the performance of the ones we are now using (they have a faster, 25 MHz clock). Tom Coull Vice President, Marketing SENSE8 Corporation 1001 Bridgeway, PO Box 477 Sausalito, CA 94965 415-331-6316 UUCP:well!sense8!tcoull ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANNOUNCEMENT OF SENSE8'S NEW VIRTUAL WORLD DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE: ** WORLDTOOLKIT ** WorldToolKit is an object-oriented library C routines that integrates the capabilities needed for rapid development of virtual world applications. The WorldToolKit library lets developers rapidly and easily build realtime 3D simulation and "virtual world" applications that run on desktop computers. WorldToolKit seamlessly integrates a simulation manager, a realtime rendering pipeline, an object manager, lighting, animation sequences, input sensors, and graphics display devices in a flexible object- oriented library. At the core of a WorldToolKit application is the simulation manager, which controls the realtime simulation loop and all object interactions. These objects may be graphical entities, sensors, lights, or viewpoints, and are distinct computational entities with their own encapsulated state and methods. The WorldToolKit simulation manager automatically maintains these objects once they have been created. With the object manager, objects in a WorldToolKit application can be hierarchically configured or clustered. For example, an object can move or pivot with the motion of another object that is "above" it. In this way, a "finger" object can be configured below the palm of a "hand" object, while both are tracked by sensors on a glove. Or several finger objects could be clustered together so that they are treated as one object. With the data import/export facilities, models or data can be imported, rendered and manipulated easily and intuitively. A comprehensive DXF file reader is included which automatically converts DXF files into 3D objects. The WorldToolKit library has drivers for many popular devices so that the user can configure the input and output specifically for their application. For example, initial application development is easily accomplished with mouse input and color CRT display. For impressive presentations, the application can be reconfigured for a head-mounted, position-tracked stereoscopic display. A sample source code for a complete walk through program follows: /* sample walkthrough program written with WorldToolKit */ #include #include "worldtool.h" extern Universe u; /* the universe of all objects */ static Sensor *sensor=NULL; /* spaceball sensor */ main() { /* allocate memory for the viewpoint information read from a model. */ Posn6d p; /* initialize the universe. */ universe_new(); /* load the universe from the file "myfile". */ universe_load("myfile", &p); /* move the viewpoint to the position read from the model. */ viewpoint_move(universe_getviewpoint(), &p); /* initialize a Spaceball sensor on serial port COM1. */ sensor = Spaceball_new(COM1); /* add the sensor to the universe. */ universe_addsensor(sensor); /* ... and attach it to the viewpoint. */ viewpoint_addsensor(universe_getviewpoint(), sensor); /* prepare the universe for start of the simulation loop. */ universe_ready(); /* enter the main simulation. */ universe_go(); /* when we're all done - clean everything up. */ universe_delete(); } -------------------------------------------------------------- ANNOUNCEMENT OF SENSE8'S TEXTURING LIBRARY FOR WORLDTOOLKIT ** "Intels DVI Technology Now Brings Real- ** time Texture Mapping to WorldToolKit" SENSE8's new Texturing Library combined with WorldToolKit enables the development of virtual world applications with real-time texture mapping which run on personal computers. Using SENSE8's Texturing Library, Intel's ActionMedia Delivery Board, and a texture database, video-u realistic textures can be applied to object surfaces in any orientation and scale. Repetitive textures can also be "tiled" across an object's face. The DVI (Digital Video Interactive) standard, supported on Intel's proprietary ActionMedia board, is capable of warping images or synthetic textures in real-time. WorldToolKit's fast renderer, combined with DVI technology, provides realtime 3D texturing by transforming the textured faces of objects as the viewpoint is moved through the 3D world. The result is a much more realistic and lifelike virtual world. To apply textures to object faces, the WorldToolKit- Texturing Library includes simple to use yet powerful functions. The developer selects a texture image from a texture database, then "attaches" that texture to any object face using the ** texture_apply ** function. The texture is then automatically warped and fitted to the surface of the object. Or the developer may specify how the texture is to be scaled or oriented. The WorldToolKit-Texturing Library includes the ability to apply textures that are shaded or unshaded, opaque or transparent. For example, objects behind a transparent picket fence texture are visible through the fence. Natural objects such as trees or bushes also appear more realistic when their textures are transparent. ------------------------------------------------------ PRICING INFORMATION: WorldToolKit w/Texturing Library - $3,500 WorldTool DS - $15,400 (includes 80486 PC and one Intel ActionMedia board) ------------------------------------------------------ For more information on WorldToolKit, contact us at: SENSE8 Corporation 1001 Bridgeway PO Box 477 Sausalito CA 94965 Tel 415-331-6318 email: UUCP:well!sense8!tcoull WorldToolKit is a trademark of SENSE8 Corporation. DVI and ActionMedia are trademarks of Intel Corporation.