Dear Reader, Today I'd like to take this opportunity to present to you the latest release 7.1 of our BS Contact viewer. With this step forward we've made substantial progress in our strategy to support our customers, who develop interactive 3D solutions for the Internet using our visualization software. As a matter of fact, the worldwide 3D business continues to make great technical strides and we keep our software "up-to-date" with these latest global advances for the ongoing benefit of our customers. In this context let me detail five highlights of the new release. BS Contact, teamed with our new BS Collaborate Server, now supports virtual worlds in which multi-user avatar functionality can be utilized. BS Contact is now "multi-lingual" in that it supports not only the standard web3D formats X3D and VRML but also the increasingly popular data exchange format COLLADA used in the DCC (Digital Content Creation) sector. Next, to aid in the visualisation of realistic simulations we have interfaced to the high-speed Ageia PhysX engine as well as ODE (Open Dynamics Engine). The new release now enables the use of Flash in 3D applications with transparency. Last but not least our new automated installation mechanism makes it noticeably easier to load and start our BS Contact viewer. For example, under Windows XP the user simply needs to click on a picture of an application to start the viewer and the application without long waiting times and multiple clicks. Many of these new features open the door for more consumer applications and allow our customers to capitalize on the current trend towards interactive virtual worlds, in which many users can immerse themselves in the form of avatars - their digital "alter egos". Of primary interest, two major companies, IBM from the US and Fujitsu Siemens Computers from Germany, are now pushing virtual worlds technology heavily. Both IT giants are contibuting to the optimistic spirit amongst global business leaders concerning this rapidly emerging "metaverse". We have already developed projects for our customers within metaverse related niches such as "virtual worlds", "mirror worlds", "augmented reality" and "lifelogging". Our metaverse projects include an interactive soccer game within a virtual stadium, a detailed 3D world atlas linked to encyclopedic content, augmented reality applications, which we created jointly with M etaio (whom by the way is the winner of the German Internet prize for 2007), and finally security applications in the lifelogging range. In conclusion, these latest advancements of our core product BS Contact 7.1 (based on customer feedback), the new release of our server software BS Collaborate, as well as our workflow tools such as BS Editor, signal continued growth for both our product range in order to better support our customers. I'm therefore convinced that we can, well primed with our 7.1 release, look forward to 2008 with a positive attitude. We've had a successful 2007 and so we will continue our commitment to strengthen our position in the fast growing web3D market. Dear reader, on behalf of the entire Bitmanagement team I wish you happy holidays and a successful New Year. Yours |
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News |
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Metaio wins the 2007 German Internet Prize.
Metaio GmbH, Munich Germany and SHD, Andernach Germany have jointly won the "2007 German Internet Prize" for their development "KPS Click & Design". The €25,000 prize was awarded by BITKOM (the Federal Association for Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media) in this, the eighth year of the contest. The augmented reality application, which is realized with the 3D software BS Contact VRML/X3D from software provider Bitmanagement, enables the user to arrange 3D virtual products like furniture within a real, photographic environment. The company SHD provides this technology to interior designers and dealers so they can improve customer service and consultation before a sale and customer loyalty into the future. |
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University HfT wins an award for GIS Application.
The Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences, together with its international partners, received the "International Digital Earth 3D Visualization Grand Challenge" award for their project VEPs (Virtual Environmental Planning systems). The university was one of the winners out of 51 candidates who developed 3D GIS applications. The "Digital Earth" concept was popularized by US Nobel Prize winner Al Gore and for the first time this year an international contest was announced. In the context of the EC-sponsored project VEPs, the University HfT has uploaded a city area of Stuttgart for which a new design is in the planning process. The application is visualized by 3D GIS software from Bitmanagement. |
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Spatial View presents medical application with its 3D LiveVideo.
The German company Möller-Wedel GmbH has presented an autostereoscopic microscope for surgery at the annual meeting and exhibition of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in New Orleans. For the first time the company has integrated a 3D LiveVideo system from Spatial View, Inc (Toronto) with its medical hardware. Möller-Wedel is a renowned manufacturer of surgical microscopes for ophthalmology, dentistry, neurosurgery and other related medical areas. |
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The haptic Internet.
When someone is planning to purchase a suit via the Internet, he or she will be able in the near future to touch the cloth. Professor Abdulmotaleb El Saddik, a scientist at the University of Ottawa in Canada, alumnus of the Technical University Darmstadt (Germany), and currently guest scientist in Darmstadt along with his colleague, Professor Ralf Steinmetz are addressing this application of haptic feeling via their research. The significant disadvantage of not being able to touch goods when buying online could soon be in the past. Press release (German only) |
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"Leading the Visual Future" summit.
Interactive, three-dimensional, visual decision supporting systems are becoming increasingly important. ICIDO, Stuttgart Germany, with its "Visual Decision Platform" is among the leaders for efficient applications of virtual technologies in the industry. The company recently held its annual summit for virtual reality hardware and software companies, leading corporate users and researchers, suppliers of complementary solutions and other interested parties. Summit website (German only) |
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Releases - BS Contact 7.1 and BS Collaborate |
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BS Contact 7.1 - multi-user support added.
The BS Contact 7.1 viewer has been enhanced with additional features to become the client software component of our multi-user architecture. Together with the new BS Collaborate server, sophisticated multi-user applications can be realized. Bitmanagement download center
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BS Collaborate server released.
The newly developed server software BS Collaborate, which is harmonized with BS Contact 7.1 and higher, supports collaborative applications and therefore opens the door for a wide range of new applications. BS Collaborate will be a valuable tool for engineering, architecture and marketing as well as the game development industry (to power MMOGs - Massively Multiplayer Online Games). How does this tool work? BS Collaborate receives and distributes all user interactions on a client PC to all the other clients running the same game or simulation session, thereby allowing all players to observe and participate via their avatars in real-time 3D. A number of multi-user packages have been sold already. Please see CityLife. |
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BS Contact 7.1 - Bitmanagement supports COLLADA.
The 3D data exchange format COLLADA, an industry standard from the Khronos Group (USA), is being increasingly adopted within the DCC (Digital Content Creation) industry. The newly added support of COLLADA within BS Contact enables professional designers to visualize and distribute online models created with their favorite tools such as Google Sketchup, Cinema4D and Maya, etc. Bitmanagement is proud to support COLLADA in addition to the existing mainstays of VRML and X3D. |
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BS Contact 7.1 - Physics support.
With the full version 7.1 both the ODE physics and the Ageia PhysX engines are interfaced to BS Contact. The movement of objects within a physical simulation is computed by the physics engine and the results are visualized in real-time with BS Contact. For many applications this makes development easier as there is no need to pre-program the movements and interactions of objects. The use of physics is widespread in games and scientific or engineering simulations such as virtual factories. With accurate physics, BS Contact brings online virtual reality applications much closer to the real world experience. |
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BS Contact 7.1 - Instant Interactivity for users.
The 7.1 release makes it even simpler to utilize the visualization software BS Contact. A new installation mechanism enables the user to install the Bitmanagement viewer (plug-in) and stand-alone application instantly and simultaneously. Under Windows XP an application can be started by a simple click on a picture of the application and can then be used interactively, without any previous knowledge of how to install the application. In a first customer application of the new feature the Bitmanagement viewer, which in this case has been branded in the customer's look and feel, more than 100,000 viewers have been installed and used without issue, within just one week of the application's launch. This has high relevance for online consumer acceptance of this technology. From now on, web3D is differentiated clearly against online video, because web3D offers important advantages such as interactivity and generally lower data volume. |
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Developments and Technology |
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BS Editor ready for testing.
BS Editor is now available for user testing and supports the import of 3D models from leading authing tools such as blender, 3ds max and Maya that have been exported into VRML or X3D. These models can then be easily integrated into applications with BS Editor, minimizing the need for an indepth knowledge of VRML/X3D. |
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Applications |
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Chinese urban project "CityLife" uses Bitmanagement 3D software.
CityLife.com is a growing information platform operator committed to providing a quality web-based guide to modern living in Hong Kong and the major cities of mainland China. With 3D technology, online personalized maps and the expertise of a seasoned team of property, telecommunications, finance and information services professionals, CityLife.com provides the latest news and information related to shopping, dining, tourism and property information services. |
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Fujitsu Siemens Computers in SecondLife.
The leading IT provider in Europe last month opened the virtual gate to their island in SecondLife. The company will use SecondLife to gain experience with this new technology and wants to evaluate its marketing and sales potential. The island was built around the virtual replica of the "High Light Towers" in real-world Munich, which is headquarters of Fujitsu Siemens Computers. The island offers information about the product portfolio and environmental focus of the company as well as recreation and fun. In related company news, the web3D used in the marketing campaign of the Fujitsu Siemens CELSIUS PC was powered by 3D visualization software from Bitmanagement. |
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3swisses.fr - Home design and e-shopping.
Idées-3Com together with 3 Suisses.fr conceived an application allowing customers to virtually design their future home, furnished and decorated according to their own choice. Customers are able to test their decoration ideas and the placement of their furniture in a virtual environment. With only a few clicks, a customer chooses the dimensions and layout of their home. The dwelling is then automatically modelled. Customers can place any furniture of their choice in the 3D model of their home thus giving them a better concept of how the furniture will look within the space. |
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VDC presents stereoscopic application at the opening of the New Stuttgart Fair.
The Virtual Dimension Center (VDC), Fellbach, took the opportunity to present a stereoscopic application on a shared booth with the Technology Initiative of Baden Württemberg at the opening of the New Stuttgart Fair. VDC presented the 3D model of a voltage transformation substation using BS Contact Stereo from Bitmanagement. The Technology Initiative is comprised of a substantial network of local businesses. "Our network is representing the most innovative technology cluster in our federal state of Baden Württemberg." said Managing Director of VDC Dr. Christoph Runde. Bitmanagement is a member of the VDC. Press release (German only) |
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Pennstate visualizes cave solution with BS Contact.
Pennsylvania State University, one of the oldest and largest national universities in the USA has developed cave applications aiming to facilitate the effective use of virtual reality (VR) techniques in design, construction and other disciplines. The university aimed as well to achieve low cost, easy to use and easy to administer and to deploy VR technologies. |
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Trade Shows and Events |
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Cyberworlds in Hannover Germany.
This year the Cyberworlds convention took place in Hannover, Germany where more than 100 research papers were delivered within the University of Hannover, the host of Cyberworlds 2007. Papers covered a diverse range of topics within the scope of the conference and catered predominantly to a scientific audience. Bitmanagement presented a demo version of an upcoming sporting environment solution and other state-of-the-art customer applications. |
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Games Convention Developer Conference (GCDC).
At this year's GCDG, international game developers, plus representatives from many large hardware and software companies met again in Leipzig, Germany, to sound out future trends within the industry. Bitmanagement presented state-of-the-art stereoscopic applications at a shared booth with 3D-CC, the independent center of consultancy for stereo 3D (S3D). |
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For any questions, comments or suggestions in relation to Please visit our forum if you have a technical issue |
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