MULTIGEN'S SMARTSCENE 3D TECHNOLOGY
NAMED CYBEREDGE JOURNAL
"VIRTUAL REALITY PRODUCT OF THE YEAR""Hands On" User Interface for Realtime 3D Authoring Wins in Software Category
San Jose, Calif. - April 1, 1996 - MultiGen Inc., the leader in realtime 3D authoring software, has today been named one of the winners of the prestigious Virtual Reality Product of the Year Awards from CyberEdge Journal. The publication named MultiGen's SmartScene technology as the winner in the Software category.
SmartScene is a radical new user interface that eliminates the keyboard, mouse, trackball or any other traditional type of input device used to build complex 3D models and virtual environments. Instead, SmartScene users simply move their hands around, using their fingertips to trigger changes in the virtual environment. They can reach into a scene, pick up a 3D object, and place it elsewhere. SmartScene has been called the closest thing to Star Trek-like "Holodeck" technology available today.
"We're honored that CyberEdge Journal has recognized the breakthrough that SmartScene represents," said Joe Fantuzzi, president and CEO of MultiGen Inc. "SmartScene front-ends some of the most powerful visual software in the world with the most natural, simple interface. You just reach into a scene with your hands, move things, change things, all in realtime. SmartScene is the interface of the future, working today."
"Many companies have worked to build ever more sophisticated capabilities into their 3D virtual reality products," said Ben Delaney, publisher and editor of CyberEdge Journal. "MultiGen's authoring software is among the most powerful, but SmartScene is revolutionary because it frees users from the artificial constraints of traditional input devices. It lets them work the way most people describe things, by moving their hands around, pointing and gesturing. SmartScene points the way to how weíll all use computers in the future."
About SmartScene
SmartScene redefines the state-of-the-art in 3D scene construction with a virtual reality-based user interface and a set of pre-fabricated object that can be moved and reshaped "by hand". Using immersive or non-immersive virtual reality techniques, SmartScene provides a 3D visual workspace that takes advantage of natural hand-to-eye coordination and facilitates intuitive design. Using gloves equipped with sensors and a head-mounted display (HMD), users can "pick up" pre-rendered building blocks - houses, buildings, trees - stretch these objects to desired shapes and sizes, and place them in logical locations in a virtual scene. SmartScene increases productivity by an order of magnitude, and makes realtime 3D scene assembly accessible to even non-technical users.
About CyberEdge Journal
CyberEdge Journal is the leading publication for people who create virtual reality systems and applications. For five years CyberEdge Journal has sponsored the Virtual Reality Product of the Year Awards to recognize the most advanced VR technologies. A panel of 41 distinguished judges evaluated more than 40 nominated products, honoring eight products as "Product of the Year." CyberEdge Journal publisher and editor Ben Delaney is one of the most well-known and experienced experts in the fast-growing field of virtual reality technology. To learn more about CyberEdge Journal, point your Web browser to CyberEdge Electric! at http://www.cyberedge.com.
MULTIGEN INC.
MultiGen Inc., founded in 1986, is the leading supplier of 3D authoring software for realtime visual simulation, entertainment and CAD visualization applications. Its products, including MultiGen® II Pro, MultiGen® II, GameGen II and SmartScene are used to create 3D objects and scenes used in realtime applications for non-immersive and immersive environments. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., the company markets its products worldwide directly and through partnerships with leading computing and realtime simulation companies and a network of distributors.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Chris Stocker
MultiGen Inc.
408/261-4100
cstocker@multigen.com