Open Standards for Real-Time 3D Communication

The Challenge

The French game developing company 3dduo was interested in developing an online new game involving a large number of users with an immersive 3D experience. The game developers consequently searched for a 3D software which meets all requirements of an exciting interactive three dimensional game.  They finally selected BS Contact from Bitmanagement as visualization software, because it’s real time interactivity is based on X3D. The job has been accomplished by now and the game „Leelh.com“  was released on the web these days.  Already after two weeks more than 20,000 paying subscribers are playing the game online today.

The Solution

To enhance traditional 2D games into 3D, it was decided for the X3D viewer technology from Bitmanagement Software, Berg near Munich, Germany. In a client game engine the rendering is performed on the client machine (the end-users computer) and via server sided multiuser support, lots of players can navigate in one scene at the same time. Story telling is prepared by the developing company and weekly updates of the game are based on feedback from the interactive online community.
BS Contact moreover enables the user to start playing the game without a DVD to start from only by web capable updates. With “Leelh” Bitmanagement unlocks the online game market for its rendering software “BS Contact” which now is used in a growing area of online interactive and multiuser games.

Watch Video at: http://www.leelh.com/videos

The Challenge

The main competitive criteria today are considered as bringing machinery into service in shorter times, as well as cost cutting of engineering and optimization of machinery and processes. “As a matter of fact these challenging benchmarks on the World market can only be achieved by virtual machinery and intergrated 3D visualization”, says Juergen Mewes, CEO of Mewes & Partner, Henningsdorf, Germany.

The Solution

The mechanical engineering industry therefore increasingly takes advantage of virtualization of real machinery including the complete process behaviour as well as of integrating 3D visualization technology based on existing CAD data. Thus, all different functions can be checked and optimized before realization of machinery respectively.

The real time 3D visualization allows a realistic rendering of various functions so that all participants - planning, construction and automation engineers - have access to a mutual collaboration tool. By putting machinery into operation in a much shorter period of time this causes main cost savings due to avoidance of downtimes. For integration of the real time 3D visualization software Mewes & Partner decides for 3D software from Bitmanagement Software, Germany. Its viewer (BS Contact) is used in his product portfolio of real time simulation system WinMOD-System of Mewes & Partner. This system provides the basis for commissioning of machinery, machinery planning as well as for training, service and visualisation in the automation technology area.

Given that the 3D viewer “BS Contact” meets all requirements such as interactivity, high rendering performance, producing best quality image renderings as well as the ability to run on standard PCs has been the decisive factor for Bitmanagement software. In addition to that it is considered as a remarkable benefit that this technology is based on ISO 3D standard formats exported by the standard geometry creation tools. This assures users of a continuous further development and ongoing adjustment to new features and its standardizing.

The Challenge

Making the hearth of the important Spanish 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, Santiago de Compostela,  available in 3D to the general public

The Solution

The Spanish multimedia company Dualmultimedia in Barcelona used X3D based Octaga player to provie 3D viewers an interactive and immersive experience with their enhanced modeling and recreation of the ancient cultural and religious center. Dualmultimedia has a web distribution license from Octaga, enabling all visitors to use a full version of Octaga Player for interactive 3D viewing.

The Challenge

The blockbuster movie spread the word “Avatar” to the minds of millions of cinema visitors. However avatars can also be used outside predefined film interactively and in real-time with X3D. So avatars enable online gaming, shopping, human simulation or even video conferencing interactively.

The Solution

The movement of the avatar can be added from real-time motion capturing systems or manually from the H-Anim Standard of Web3D. Basically the skeleton under the skin of the avatar is animated according to some defined motion vectors. With this technique the same motion can be used for many different models. Predefined gestures can be added by the rendering software provider (www.bitmanagement.com) in BS Contact to be triggered when the user’s avatar needs to perform them (e.g. greeting, waving, etc.). Individual movements can be captured and applied to make these gestures more realistic (e.g. www.circlesandlines.com). The graphical quality of the online capable and interactive avatar on standard consumer hardware needs than to be adjusted to the target group of the application.

Examples from different use cases:
Applications may require film like quality of avatars, aiming to match humans closely: Please find below a link to a standard avatar screenshot:
http://www.bitmanagement.de/images/press/standard_avatar.large.jpg

Applications may also target to abstract from the real human being: Idees 3 com (www.idees3com.fr ), cartoon style avatars for e.g. e-commerce
http://www.bitmanagement.de/images/press/avatar_configurator.large.jpg

Applications may target to mix video and interactive 3D for even more human being like appearance: IVN, (www.ivn3.com), 3D Live Avatars for e.g. video conferencing http://www.bitmanagement.de/images/press/live_video_avatar.large.jpg

Applications may target monster like creatures – as it is also just 3D graphics - for e.g. Online Gaming Leelh, (www.leelh.fr) MMORPG – Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game http://www.bitmanagement.de/images/press/game_avatar.large.jpg

The 3D renderer supporting these applications is BS Contact from Bitmanagement Software GmbH (near Munich, Germany).
Bitmanagement is focused on Interactive Web3D Graphics (http://www.bitmanagement.com/en/products/product-workflow ).

The Challenge

Many big companies today are using Cave Systems, which offering many advantages for instance in CAD development, design and simulation of logistical processes. Whereas the technology has been already established, most of smaller companies do not benefit from advantages due to high costs of cave.

The Solution

With a new solution IPL (Institut for Product-Management and Logistic) now has developed a low-priced cave system by assembling commercially available standard-hardware components from the shelter offering 75% less expenses. Thus smaller companies can use manifold cave applications in high quality e.g. in the CAD range or in hospitals for training of surgery, as well as in the digital factory for simulation of factory processes or car and aircraft simulation. The new developed cave is based on the 3D stereoscopic software package “BS Cave” (online test download) from Bitmanagement Software, Germany.

For more information

Cave systems are dedicated to render objects and environments in a real stereo-scopic version. The new cave development is a so called Round Cave, which means the projection-walls are generating a nearly closed circle which allows a panoramic sight of round about 260°. Moreover, the rounded projection walls in comparison to edged (squared) systems additionally intensify the 3D immersive effect.

Possible applications range from medical surgical preparation, design studies and construction details, presentation of prototypes to facility planning, architecture and the creation of virtual models in the construction and plant engineering area. Even in vehicles and aircrafts the behavior of inmates, mainly in critical situations can be simulated.

For marketing of the Round Cave, IPL and Bitmanagement Software have signed a cooperation agreement on Jan. 1, 2009. In addition to the traditional marketing model, the two partners agreed on an on-line model where an interested customer receives detailed installation instructions including all data necessary for the procurement of individual components required for each user without charge and with free access.

The software from the Bitmanagement product portfolio consists of BS SDK package, BS Contact Stereo as client renderer and BS Collaborate, which synchronizes the respective computers and projectors.  The BS Cave software (test version) will be downloadable free of charge, from the Internet at www.bitmanagement.de without restriction for testing purposes. Upon acquisition of the trial version the clearing is done by license key to be sent by e-mail.

The product is developed by IPL GmbH based on BS Contact Stereo and BS Collaborate of Bitmanagement.

The Challenge

LEGO the Danish toy manufacturer has been looking for better buyer information in its worldwide “LEGO stores”. Most kids missing the possibility to see how a product like a hydraulic digger or a police station will look like after assembly without opening the toy box.

The Solution

LEGO will test launch its “DIGITAL BOX” worldwide. This interactive terminal will utilize innovative technology supplied by metaio, Germany, as a software program specially-developed for the LEGO Group by the Munich-based experts in augmented reality solutions. Together with a camera and display screen, the software - based on Bitmanagements X3D Viewer Tech- lets LEGO packaging reveal its contents fully-assembled within live 3D animated scenes. metaio’s software creates a fascinating technical experience and gives retailers a unique selling pitch while helping to inform interested buyers.

From November, the Danish toy manufacturer will test launch its “DIGITAL BOX” in selected toyshops and LEGO® stores worldwide. This interactive terminal will utilize innovative technology supplied by metaio in the form of a software program specially-developed for the LEGO Group by the Munich-based experts in augmented reality solutions. Together with a camera and display screen, the software lets LEGO packaging reveal its contents fully-assembled within live 3D animated scenes.

In today’s buyers’ market purchase decisions are also driven by the excitement of the customer about the product. This certainly applies to the toy market. Ideally, they want to hold the potential purchase in their hands and look at it closely from all angles. This is however a problem if the product is composed of individual pieces. As with construction toys, for example: even if you opened the box right away, it would be hours before you knew what the toy really looks like.

The DIGITAL BOX from the LEGO Group comes to the rescue. From November, children great and small can hold special LEGO boxes – containing a hydraulic digger or police station, for example – up to an interactive kiosk and watch a 3D animation of the product inside the box – superimposed on the box. All of this is made possible by metaio’s software, which fuses virtual 3D animations into a live video of the actual product packaging. As a result, buyers can hold both the box and the finished product in their hands. Construction sets are a great match for this technology. Here, metaio’s software not only creates a fascinating technical experience, but gives retailers a unique selling pitch while helping to inform interested buyers. After all, customers get to see exactly how much fun there is inside! The idea has not been termed “smart packaging” for nothing.

The partnership between metaio and one of the largest toy manufacturers in the world is a truly major milestone in the history of the company. Daniel Gelder, Head of Marketing and Sales at metaio, comments: “Like any child, I have played with LEGO bricks when I was young. We are delighted and very proud to now be developing software for this company.”

About the LEGO Group
The LEGO Group is a privately held, family-owned company, based in Billund, Denmark. It was founded in 1932 and today the group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of play materials for children, employing approximately 5,000 people globally. The LEGO Group is committed to the development of children’s creative and imaginative abilities. LEGO products can be purchased in more than 130 countries.

metaio GmbH uses BS Contact of Bitmanagement as renderer.

The Challenge

Up until now archaeology and world heritage sites have always been subjects which the general public have found difficult to understand and interprete, remaining a secret realm best deciphered by historians, scientists and archaeologists. Today that has changed. Through cutting-edge 3D technologies anyone with a standard PC can access and interact with historical monuments and cities that have been reconstructed.

The Solution

The University of California – Los Angeles and Past Perfect Productions srl., Rome, Italy, who reconstruct worldwide archaeological and historical sites, have turned back the clock to ancient Rome in 320 AD, rebuilding the past using virtual reality and computer graphics through a project called “Rome Reborn”. The Rome Company, which became partner of Bitmanagement, launched their first product, “Virtual Colosseum 1.0”, an important second step to the Google Earth –“Ancient Rome service” by offering users a walk-through feature through Bitmanagement’s 3D visualization software, BS Contact.

For more information:
Up until now archaeology and world heritage sites have always been subjects which the general public have found difficult to understand and interprete, remaining a secret realm best deciphered by historians, scientists and archaeologists. Today that has changed. Through cutting-edge 3D technologies anyone with a standard PC can access and interact with historical monuments and cities that have been reconstructed from their ancient remains and brought back to life. Students and adults interested in history from around the world can find out more how ancient people and famous historical characters lived. Learning about their architecture and culture by walking down their ancient streets.

The University of California – Los Angeles and Past Perfect Productions srl. (based in Rome, Italy), who reconstruct worldwide archaeological and historical sites, have turned back the clock to ancient Rome in 320 AD, nearly two thousand years ago, rebuilding the past using virtual reality and computer graphics through a project called Rome Reborn.

On 12 November 2008, Michael Jones (the founder of Google Earth) in partnership with Joel Myers (CEO of Past Perfect Productions) and Gianni Alemanno (the Mayor of the City of Rome) presented a Google Earth – Ancient Rome service, based on the that provides the over 400 million users of GE with the possibility to fly through ancient Rome (as a layer) and get access to information on over 200 of ancient Rome’s most famous monuments.

Bitmanagement announced its partnership with Past Perfect Productions and the launch of their first product, “Virtual Colosseum 1.0”, an important second step to the Google Earth – Ancient Rome service by offering users a walk-through feature through the Bitmanagements 3D visualization software, BS Contact.

“Virtual Tour of the Colosseum 1.0” is already available to the general public for free use as a trial product through the web links http://www.pastperfectproductions.com offering users a highly detailed virtual reconstruction of the Colosseum as it was in 320 AD under Emperor Constantine that they can walk freely around, accessing hotspot audio clips that provide touring information explaining the history, gladiatorial games and architecture on this infamous monument.

To Learn more, please view this PDF

The Challenge

Presenting products, values and competencies in an understandable and outstanding way is one important goal of companies’ trade show performances. But how are complex and invisible aspects of a technology efficiently communicated in a limited time?

The Solution

The Coperion Group is planning and producing plants and systems for the plastics industry. The presentation at Coperion’s booth at K Fair in Dusseldorf consisted of Fraunhofer IGD’s multi-touch table and an impressive 8-meter wide high definition projection mirroring the table’s image. With this application Coperion demonstrated their core-competencies to the markets and complex processes in a plant for bulk material handling via Virtual Reality. InstantPlayer and InstantCluster were used to render the interactive real time 3D visualisation.

The Challenge

Citymodels are often created by hand making it expensive and time consuming to cover large areas. Now textured 3D models of complete cities at a resolution of 4 inch per pixel can be constructed automatically within days and visualized with the fast BS Contact GEO viewer of Bitmanagement on the web.

3D city models can be integrated in many applications ranging from online search engines to embedded automotive navigation- and entertainment systems. The new technique proves to reduce substantially the creation time and cost of the production process of 3D city models all over the country. Using the new technology, for instance a highly detailed 3D polygonal city model of a complete city of 120 square miles (200 km2 ) can be produced within just 4 days. The data is generated by cameras capturing raster and geometry data.

The Solution

A quality leap hand in hand with a substantial cost reduction can be realized today in the 3D city model domain. Textured 3D models of complete cities at a resolution of 4 inch (10 cm) per pixel can be constructed automatically within days and visualized with the highly performing BS Contact GeoVRML/X3D viewer interactively on the web. 3D city models can be used integrated in many applications ranging from online search engines to embedded automotive navigation- and entertainment systems.
In an automated process 3D models are created based on their geo references and saved in VRML/X3D or COLLADA file format. The high quality models e.g. of a complete town or a large industry complex - provided by a content partner of Bitmanagement - are optimised for use on the Internet with tools from Bitmanagement. With the BS Tiler geospatial preparation tool and the new X3D GEO nodes supported in the BS Contact Geo 3D viewer the result can be viewed and navigated interactively on Microsoft, Linux and Apple platforms. Integration of VRML/X3D house models from leading geospatial content providers enhance the experience as users can view buildings at street level or even see the interior of point of interests such as museums, town halls and soccer stadiums.

Orbiting around the globe, users can fly seamlessly through satellite images and aerial photographs right down to the textured 3D city without media breaks. At street level the user can enter fully designed 3D models with photo realistic textures and shaders, integrated audio and video content.

Bitmanagement cooperates with various content partners to offer content and visualisation software for the specific concept of the application developers. They can define freely their graphical user interfaces, access rules for Intranet/Extranet use as well as the integration to their back end systems. As the software is based on open standards this integration is simple and straight forward.

Watch Video at Automated City Visualization

For more information please contact Bitmanagement at info@bitmanagement.com

The Challenge

To be competitive today construction, representation and simulation techniques are summarized under the term of “digital factory”. The target is to make industry processes more economic, more flexible and easier to handle, here virtual reality technology plays an increasingly important role. It offers an interactive realistic 3D imaging of machines and systems in virtual worlds. However, only economic solutions make the digital factory technology affordable to small and medium companies. VR control or the 3D-visualizer supports the 3D process visualization. The process visualization (HMI) tool networks 3D scenes, exported from customers CAD systems or from other planning tools with the PLC data using OPC technology. The digital factory solution is offered by tarakos, Germany, based on the visualization software of Bitmanagement. tarakos already develops industry solutions with the high end 3D visualization technology BS Contact based on the format VRML/X3D since more than 5 years.

The Solution

Tarakos offers an ISO standard 3d software based solution which allows an economic start to digital factory technology and provides various software tools and services. The digital factory solution implies basically three software tools such as VR builder, VR control and VR viewer. VR builder is a software tool for 3D configurators and time-based simulation of conveying, material flow and storage/warehouse equipment using the virtual reality (VR) technology. The program is used to visualize and analyze plants. Its special feature is the simple and quick usage of virtual, animated 3D scenes by users with no special programming or 3D designing skills due to huge libraries of parametric and animated 3D models available.
The tool VR control or the 3D-visualizer supports the 3D process visualization. The process visualization (HMI) tool networks 3D scenes, exported from customers CAD systems or from other planning tools with the PLC data using OPC technology. The digital factory solution is offered by tarakos, Germany, based on the visualization software of Bitmanagement. tarakos already develops industry solutions with the high end 3D visualization technology BS Contact based on the format VRML/X3D since more than 5 years.