Light ROM 3/Light ROM 3 - Disc 2.iso/tess/tess523.txt

Text File | 1995-08-04 | 22KB | 437 lines

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 T H E   T E S S E L L A T I O N   T I M E S   #523
      Issue #23 of 1995, for Monday, July 31st
====================================================

*The Tessellation Times* (TESS) is Columbine, Inc.'s weekly electronic
publication normally posted Monday evenings as a supplement to 3D ARTIST
magazine.

See Contacts at the end of this file for companies whose products are
mentioned here.
_______________
Tell it to TESS
Send your 3D news tips to [e-mail].
________________
TESS Web Version
Web sites that carry direct or indirect jumps to the full HTML version of
*The Tessellation Times* can be found listed at
  http://www.3dartist.com/3dlinks.htm
__________________
TESS subscriptions
It's free! Send a message to <[e-mail]> stating simply "subscribe"
or "unsubscribe".
_______
DETAILS
This file may be passed between individuals and may be reposted in any
online forum _as_long_as_ the file is not modified in any way (it must be
left whole and unchanged). Posted as TESS523.TXT (TES523.TXT where only six
characters are allowed), or compressed as TESS523 with the appropriate
DOS-style extension (ZIP, etc.).
  Reposting to *mailing lists* is _not_ recommended.
  TESS's master files are maintained with corrections on our Internet site
(ftp to ftp.3dartist.com and look for directories named /3dartist, /ballen,
and /tess). These are the only TESS files for which we can vouch file integrity.
  Opinions herein are not necessarily those of independent sites or forums
carrying this file or pointers to it.
  This file's contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in or with
any other print or digital publication without permission. Converting to
HTML is only approved for straight text without additional markup.
  Any trademarked names mentioned in this file are the property of their
respective owners.
  Columbine, Inc. and its publications are totally independent. No companies
or products are endorsed.

Published by and (c)Copyright 1995, all rights reserved:
  Columbine, Inc.
  P.O. Box 4787, Santa Fe, NM 87502 USA
  505/982-3532 (voice); 505/820-6929 (fax)
  505/820-6929x3 voice mail
  E-mail: [e-mail]
_____
Staff
Alex Kiriako, Editor, TESS & Sysop, 3dartist.com <[e-mail]>
Bill Allen, Publisher & Pres., Columbine, Inc. <[e-mail]>
Sally Beach, Vice Pres., Columbine, Inc. <[e-mail]>
Carol Williamson, Admin. Asst. <[e-mail]>
________
CONTENTS
523.00 - Heads Up
  523.00.00 - Siggraph Coverage - TESS NewsRoom - Job Ads
  523.00.01 - The Fortnight in 3D
  523.00.02 - Upgrades
  523.00.03 - Shows and Exhibitions
  523.00.04 - Artists Call
523.01 - VRML 2.0 Committee Formed - by Rob Glidden
523.02 - 3D Readings
523.03 - News on High End
523.04 - News Wrap
523.05 - What's Up in Santa Fe
  523.05.01 - TESS
  523.05.02 - 3D ARTIST
  523.05.03 - 3D ARTIST Web Site
523.06 - Continuing Listings
  523.06.01 - Shows & Exhibitions Soon
  523.06.02 - Artists Call
523.07 - Follow-Ups
523.08 - Contacts

---------

523.00 - Heads Up

Here's the stuff you need to know the soonest...

523.00.00 - Siggraph Coverage - TESS NewsRoom - Job Ads

We will be covering Siggraph '95 closely next week (6-11 Aug.) and uploading
reports to the Web. The TESS broadcast for the following Mondays probably
will be among the largest yet. However, if all goes according to plan next
week, Web readers will be able to see our accumulating draft reports posted
right from Los Angeles, plus news release excerpts, screen shots from new
software, and maybe even digital photos of the show and its participants.

To help our readers optimize their time at Siggraph, we are preparing a tour
of booths related to just desktop 3D graphics. That will be posted as
sigraf95.txt at ftp.3dartist.com, and will be linked to a new news page on
our Web site.

Starting tonight, 31 July, you can jump from our home page or go directly to
  http://www.3dartist.com/tess/newsroom.htm
This page will be used to post news items queuing for the next TESS. In
other words, we are beginning informal _daily_ 3D news reporting via the Web.
  For Siggraph we will use TESS NewsRoom to post news from the show and to
carry links to related (temporary) pages including our desktop 3D booth tour.

Desktop 3D companies that will be at Siggraph in another company's booth and
are not on the official Siggraph booth list, please send your info
immediately to <[e-mail]>.

Businesses, please get your August 6th and 7th news releases to us early to
hold until your official release (state the date and _time_). Send news to
<[e-mail]> by Sat., 5 August if you want us to consider posting
excerpts as part of our news coverage.

We (two editors and three writers) are going to Siggraph mostly to hear
other businesses toot their horns, but we will be tooting a horn of our own
about the 3D employment Web page at
  http://www.3dartist.com/ads/jobs.htm
If you are looking to hire artists, this is a good time to put your ad
where, following Siggraph, even more people will be checking this popular
page. Contact Sally Beach (505/982-3532 or <[e-mail]>) about a
special offer for Help Wanted ads, available between now and August 17th.

If you've never seen 3D ARTIST magazine, a very limited supply of 3DA#20
will be available free in the 3D books display at Digimation's Booth #1056.

Hope to see _you_ at Siggraph. If you can't be there, watch our Web site or
wait for TESS#525. We'll try to bring the story home to you.
  Note that, if you need to reach our office in Santa Fe next week, it will
be open during regular Mountain Time business hours (an hour ahead of
California time).--Bill Allen

523.00.01 - The Fortnight in 3D

August 4-7, Anaheim, Calif.: Woodworking Machinery and Supply Fair.
Woodworking Fair Conference, 1516 S. Pontius Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90025,
800/826-8257; 310/477-8521, 312-6684 fax.

August 6-11, Los Angeles, Calif.: Siggraph 95, L.A. Convention Ctr. Contact
ACM Siggraph, 401 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611; 312/321-6830, -6786 fax.
  If you're still looking for a place to stay in L.A., low-cost
dormitory-style rooms may be available at the University of Southern
California. Single $37, double $47, including taxes. Shuttle service is
available to the Convention Center. Call ATI for reservations  9-5 Mon.-Sat.
Central time: 800/477-8920; 312/644-6642, -6369 fax, <[e-mail]>.

August 8-11, Boston, Mass.: MacWorld Boston, at the World Trade Ctr., 164
Northern Ave. (617/439-5000), and the Bayside Expo Ctr., 200 Mt. Vernon St.
(617/265-5800). Registration for exhibits is $40 (cash only) at the door.
Conference and exhibit registration is $150.

523.00.02 - Upgrades

Strata has announced MediaPaint 1.1 with a variety of new filters and added
support for the new 604 processor. New effects include smear, smudge,
distort, wave, magic wand, rubber stamp, brightness and contrast, color
gradient, hue saturation, lens, and swirl. The upgrade is free to all
registered 1.0 users.

523.00.03 - Shows and Exhibitions

September 26-28, San Francisco, Calif.: Seybold Conference and Exposition at
the Moscone center will have over 300 industry suppliers related to digital
publishing. Featured are the new technology labs with hands on demos,
Apple's Masters of Media showcase, and the Seybold galleries (including the
Strata gallery). Seybold, P.O. Box 5856, San Mateo, CA 94402-0856;
800-488-2883; 415/688-4396, -4396 fax, http://www.sbexpos.com/.

523.00.04 - Artists Call

We were just told that tomorrow (1 Aug.) is the deadline for the digital
gallery at the Macromedia User Conference & Exposition. The deadline is
being extended for an unspecified time for those who submit prints of 3D
art. Get further info from <[e-mail]> or fax [phone].
  For more about the show at the Moscone Center in San Francisco Oct. 30 -
Nov. 1, call 800/287-7141 or 203/840-5660, or visit http://www.macromedia.com/.

523.01 - VRML 2.0 Committee Formed

  By Rob Glidden <[e-mail]>

VRML continues to boom with yesterday's announcement (29 July) by Mark
Pesce, the originator of VRML, that an informal group of eight
"researchers," including heavyweight representatives of Silicon Graphics,
Microsoft, and Autodesk, has been formed to develop a behaviors-based 2.0
draft specification for circulation in mid-September. The 2.0 spec group
(which will also address future 1.x versions) has come together in
anticipation of a formal VRML Consortium to be formed in September, modeled
on the World Wide Web's W3C industry consortium.
  Initial participants in the 2.0 spec group are:
Gavin Bell - OI/VRML architect, SGI
Tony Parisi - VRML architect, Intervista Software
Mitra - WWW/URN specialist, Worlds, Inc.
Brian Blau - DIS/Simulation, Autodesk, Inc.
Jan Hardenbergh - 3D HW designer, Oki Research
Don Mitchell - Simulation, Microsoft Corp.
William Martens - Spatialized Audio, Headspace, Inc.
  Absent is representation from a number of likely VRML key players
including Netscape and Sun.
  Rikk Carey and Mark Pesce will act as facilitators. According to Pesce,
"We will be meeting for three days; by 15 Sept. we'll have published all of
our specifications and will be submitting them to www-vrml for peer review."
Pre-meeting input is solicited.
  VRML should be a major topic at Siggraph. On Sunday, there will be a
half-day VRML course Sunday (1:30-5:30), followed by a Birds of a Feather
session (6-9 pm). Both are likely to be well attended.
  The formation of the 2.0 spec group hints both at the growing importance
of VRML and potential directions for representation of behavior in realtime
3D environments. Indications are that the group may come up with a very open
framework in which a variety of players could operate and compete. According
to Pesce, "There is no one right way to create interactive cyberspace, and
if there is, we just don't know it yet."
  But if a group as powerful and diverse as SGI, Microsoft, and Autodesk are
really a couple of months away from a working agreement on a basic design
for 3D behaviors in VRML 2.0, then there may be enough of a consensus on
basic architecture for a wide range of 3D players to begin building products
and services.
  For more info about VRML, visit the VRML repository at the San Diego
Supercomputer Center at
  http://www.sdsc.edu/vrml
_________
Rob Glidden reports regularly to TESS and 3D ARTIST about the growing
integration of 3D features into everyday hardware and operating systems. His
company, Soft Press, is a content developer.
  Many of our readers may think that VRML is some kind of Internet thing
that does not apply to them. In fact, it could affect the way you work as an
artist, and could shape many of the markets for your work.
  VRML may grow quickly into such a well-supported non-proprietary file
format as to become the best way to move scenes and objects between
applications. It could take the place of DXF, IGES, 3DS, and even 3DMF file
formats and all their respective problems.
  Hint: Watch announcements about to emerge from many companies that their
own file formats now include support for URLs (universal resource locators).
URLs are only needed in 3D file formats to make them accessible to 3D Web
browsers. These file formats still will be proprietary, and will need
special "helper applications" linked to VRML browsers in order to be seen.
But such moves show an industry turning into the wind to face "the next big
thing."
  Rob Glidden comments that, if VRML supports "behaviors" sufficiently well,
its impact could go well beyond becoming a common file format. Behaviors is
new to 3D file formats and not yet available on desktop PCs. It can be
defined broadly to include use of canned motion, intelligent characters,
environmental effects, motion paths, special effects such as explosions, and
a lot more. In fact, the better the implementation, the less definable
behaviors seems to become.
--Bill Allen, Publisher <[e-mail]>

523.02 - 3D Readings

*Virtual Reality Applications* due out in August, edited by Rae Earnshaw,
John Vince, and Huw Jones (AP Professional, $44.95, ISBN 0-12-227755-4), is
an overview of the rapid changes occurring in the VR field. Some of the
areas covered include simulation and training, virtual galleries, medical
issues, and how to design successful VR applications. This volume updates
and extends what was covered in the editors' 1993 publication, *Virtual
Reality Systems*.

523.03 - News on High End

Engineering Animation, Inc. (EAI) has announced they are porting their
VisLab animation product from the SGI platform to the HP9000. VisLab is
EAI's software product for high-speed 3D animation rendering, and the port
to Hewlett Packard is aimed at engineering users. According to EAI, VisLab
already supports interfaces to leading CAD, CAM, and CAE software.
  Availability for VisLab 1.3 on the HP PA-Risc 9000 will be Aug. 1, 1995 at
$9,500 per seat.
  EAI will be demonstrating VisLab at Siggraph 95 in Booth #1445.

523.04 - News Wrap

Infogrip, Inc. offers the BAT for Windows and Mac. It's a simplified
keyboard which uses "chording" to do all the things you would with a regular
keyboard, but with one hand. This allows for fast single-handed keyboarding
and simultaneous mousing, effectively doing away with having to move your
hand back and forth between the mouse and keyboard.
  Though it takes some practice, it seems to have potential as an input
device for artists, as it allows you to quickly access menu options with one
hand while controlling objects or your paint brush with the other.
  The BAT is available in left- and right-handed versions for $199. A dual
version, which includes both the left- and right-handed single versions, is
$349. Check it out in Siggraph Booth #840.

3Dlabs, Inc. announced on 25 July three new profiling tools for optimizing
software to work with their Glint 3D processors. These tools are free to
developers using the Glint chip with Windows NT.
  Perfscope is an extension of the Windows NT Perfmon for monitoring
graphics flow between the host processor and the Glint processor. 3Dlabs
says "Perfscope is minimally invasive and can be used across a network."
  GLscope logs OpenGL calls from an application without needing the
applications source data, allowing for easier debugging and streamlining.
  Glintscope gives the developer the ability to do interpreted tracing of
all Glint chip register accesses.
  3Dlabs also plans to offer these tools soon for Windows 95.

Creative Labs will introduce its widely anticipated Eagle consumer 3D
graphics acceleration board at its annual August developer conference (14-15
Aug. in San Francisco, 31 Aug.-1 Sept. in London). The word is that the
Eagle, based on the consumer version of the 3Dlabs Glint chip, will ship for
Christmas '95.--Rob Glidden

HSC Software is announcing new products at Siggraph Booth #1244.
  Power Photos 2 "the Elite Series" is a five-CD collection ($199), of
royalty-free images (not photos) for use in digital design.
  KPT Convolver, the Photoshop plug-in, is expected to ship for Sun this
quarter and is already shipping for Windows '95.
  KPT Vector Effects, brings vector-based special effects one step closer to
special effects already found in paint programs.

NoRad Corp., well known for being an early provider of protection from
computer monitor radiation, has announced the NoRad JitterBox for containing
magnetic field interference and monitor jitter. For those who are
experiencing electronic interference, NoRad has a comprehensive solution in
their JitterBox--based on a product tested by Sweden's National Institute of
Occupational Health.
  The model 5100 adjusts to fit 9" to 15" monitors for $395. The model 5200
fits 16" to 17" monitors for $495 and the model 5300 fits 19" to 21"
monitors for $595.
  NoRad will also be demonstrating this product at Siggraph Booth #2609.

523.05 - What's Up in Santa Fe

523.05.01 - TESS

Deadline for issue #524, which will go out early, is 1pm MDT (3pm Eastern),
Thurs., 3 Aug. The following issue will be full of Siggraph news, but some
time-critical news might squeeze in if received by 1pm MDT on 14 Aug.

523.05.02 - 3D ARTIST

If you have experience with trying to get a current DOS or Windows
3D-related program running with a late Windows 95 beta, we'd like to hear
from you. We plan to run tips about what runs immediately, what needs what
work, and what won't fly.

523.05.03 - 3D ARTIST Web Site

As mentioned in 523.00.00 above, we are inaugurating immediately the TESS
NewsRoom page to carry transient info, usually news waiting to go into the
next TESS. This will be updated as often as news requires and staff time
allows, and will be the page from which we will do all reporting from
Siggraph next week.

523.06 - Continuing Listings

523.06.01 - Shows & Exhibitions Soon

August 10, L.A., Calif.: Siggraph 95 will host a panel of
performance/digital artists to discuss the art of virtual reality. Five
artists will discuss how they are using immersive technology to broaden the
definition of art. "Aesthetics and tools in the virtual environment" is
scheduled for 10:30am at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

August 14, Appleton, Wisc.: 1995 3D Artists Conference and Seminars will
feature a courtroom animation seminar by Paul Kakert of Fresh Look Design,
who is a forensic animation specialist. Emphasis will be on practical issues
related to being able to offer these services to clients. Michele Bousquet
*3D Artist* writer and globe trotting author will also be there teaching
classes on 3D Studio. Contact James Murphy Consulting 414/435-7345, -7395
fax; CIS 71165,1321.

August 23-25, Arlington, Va.: Interactive Multimedia '95. Sponsored by the
Society for Applied Learning Technology. Focus will be on distance learning,
and training for health care sciences, management, etc. SALT, 50 Culpepper
St., Warrenton, VA 22186; 800/457-6812; 703/347-0055.

523.06.02 - Artists Call

August 15 for Ray Dream's 3rd annual "Modern Masters of 3D" contest, theme
"Spirit of Invention." Contact Ray Dream, 1804 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain
View, CA 94043; 415/960-0768, -1198 fax.

August 15 for the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta second video exhibition, to
be held at 6-9pm Sept. 1-2 at West Virginia State College Capitol Center,
123 Summers St., Charleston, W.V., admission free. Everyone is invited to
enter. Entries should be no longer than 10 mins. and can be on VHS, S-VHS,
Hi-8, or 3/4" videotape formats, sent to Video Toaster Animation & Graphics,
P.O. Box 4631, Charleston, WV 25364. For info and entry forms, you can call
V-TAG president Jamie Cope at Destiny Images at 800/644-2368, or E-mail to
[e-mail].

September 1 for the Planet Studio Multimedia Awards & Electronic Festival.
Held by Autodesk Multimedia and Digital Video Magazine on Oct. 30 at
Autodesk University in San Francisco. Autodesk Multimedia, 111 McInnis
Pkwy., San Rafael, CA 94903, Attn: Planet Studio Awards; 415/507-5666.

523.07 - Follow-Ups

Positron Publishing, Inc., publisher of Dynamic Motion Module and MeshPaint
1.1 [TESS#522.00.02], now has its own forum on CompuServe. Just "go positron".

Michael Wiese Productions, publisher of cinematography texts, has a new
address: 11288 Ventura Blvd. #821, Studio City, CA 91604; 800/379-8808;
818/379-8799, 986-3408 fax; [e-mail]; http://www.earthlink.net/~mwp

The 3-D Coolness '95 animation contest deadline has been extended till Oct
31, 1995. Also note that sponsor World Fusion Software has a new phone and
fax number. 3-D Coolness '95, World Fusion Software, 5942 Edinger #113-718,
Huntington Beach, CA 92649; 714/708-7400, -7401 fax. Look for a new E-mail
address soon.

523.08 - Contacts

Please mention TESS when contacting companies about products reported here!

> 3DLabs, Inc.; 2010 N. 1st St. #403, San Jose, CA 95131; 408/436-3455
> AP Professional; 525 'B' St. #1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495;
619/699-6594; <[e-mail]>
> Criterion Software; 20 Alan Turing Rd. Guildford, GU2 5YF, England;
44/1483-448-800, -811 fax; <rw-info@criterion,canon.co.uk>
> Engineering Animation, Inc.; ISU Research Park, 2625 N. Loop Dr., Ames, IA
50010; 800/324-6777; 515/296-9908, -7025 fax
> HSC Software Corp.; 6303 Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria, CA; 800/472-9025;
805/566-6200, -6385 fax; <[e-mail]>
> Infogrip, Inc.; 1141 E. Main St., Ventura, CA 93001; 800/397-0921,
805/652-0770, -0880 fax
> NoRad Corp.; 1160 E. Sandhill Ave., Carson, CA 90746; 800/262-3260;
310/605-0808, -5051 fax
> Strata, Inc.; 2 W. St. George Blvd., Ancestor Sq. #2100, St. George, UT
84770; 801/628-5218, -9756 fax
__________________
3D ARTIST magazine - 3D How-To's & News
Founded 1991. Completely written by real users. Covers PC, Mac, and Amiga 3D
software, and topics of interest to freelance artists.
  If you haven't seen and can't find 3D ARTIST, E-mail your snail mail
address to [e-mail] for a sample issue (North America) or an
info kit with sample pages (elsewhere). Sample issue arrival may take 6-8
weeks by third class mail. Purchased issues ($4 each, postpaid surface mail
worldwide) are sent immediately (fax Visa/MC orders to 505/820-6929 or call
505/982-3532).
  12-issue surface subscription (*through August 1995) is $29 U.S., us$41
Canada/Mexico, $46 elsewhere. 6-issue, first class, and airmail
subscriptions also available. *Rates increase September 1, 1995.

[end]