Ann: Vizx3D beta release!
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For Immediate Release:
" The Rebirth of Web3D. - Vizx3D v1.0 Beta Released at Siggraph 2003."
Siggraph: San Diego, CA., July 25, 2003 : Virtock Technologies, Inc. has
announced the release of Vizx3D v.1.0 Beta , a new real-time 3D
visualization tool and web3D authoring platform that is the first to create
X3D content. The new application offers the advanced capabilities of the new
X3D format with the simplicity of interface and usage that Virtock
Technologies' past product Spazz3D was known for. Vizx3D has been designed
with features for both the professional web designer looking to move toward
advanced web3D applications, and with the ease of use needed for the
hobbyist web3D market as well. Virtock Technologies has for the last five
years developed it's Spazz3D software into the favorite choice among the
VRML enthusiasts that pioneered the many 3D online worlds such as Cybertown.
Vizx3D v.1.0 offers capabilities to expand the web3D market and to rival the
2D vector design market led by Macromedia's Flash.
Vizx3D helps to bring the future of rich media and web3D to the market
today. The first real-time authoring tool that can natively create X3D
content for export, the release of Vizx3D v1.0 Beta comes at a time when
web3D is going through a rebirth of popularity and technology. The release
of both Media Machines's FLUX player and Bitmanagement's (former- Blaxxun
employee owned) Contact 6.1 player, provide playback for the new
capabilities of the X3D standard. Both new players are primed for the
playback of X3D and Vizx3D output, making Vizx3D a key new authoring tool
for all web3D developers. Keith Victor, the President of Virtock
Technologies and the creator of Vizx3D states, " With these two new players
to view our X3D output, the level of web3D content has been pushed way
beyond what VRML looked like and could offer people a few years ago. The new
multi-texturing abilities, single mesh avatars, interactive capabilities,
and the other X3D attributes offer 3D interactive visuals and content that
can compete with the PC games people play everyday." He added " Such visual
clarity also means that commercial and corporate visualizations and
presentations in 3D can now offer true broadcast quality design and impact."
To debut as part of the Web3D Roundup Night at Siggraph, Vizx3D content will
be shown by both creator Keith Victor as well as by SFWEB3D founder and
designer Larry Rosenthal." The new Vizx3D is great, the ability to easily
create normal maps for textures and to produce interactive X3D content with
no need for hand coding, makes X3D and it's authoring finally real for
non-programmers. Designers can now start to really use X3D for clients."
says Rosenthal, a long time web3D developer.
Others launching important products in the Web3D arena were also impressed
by the new Vizx3D beta. "Vizx3D represents a significant step forward in 3D
content creation for the web," said Tony Parisi, President of Media
Machines, co-creator of VRML and editor of the X3D specification. "It has a
simple, straightforward interface that can be used by professionals and
non-professionals alike, yet also a very powerful set of features. Vizx3D
raises the bar for 3D authoring while lowering the barrier to entry. Media
Machines looks forward to an ongoing collaboration with Virtock to advance
rich media development for the web."
Vizx3D v.1.0 Beta offers artists, developers, and designers a complete set
of tools to publish web3D content in both the older web3D standard ( VRML
97) and in the new X3D format. It combines ease of use with advanced
real-time authoring capabilities and features such as multi-texturing,
H-Anim support, single mesh avatars, text creation wizards, animation
creation wizards, screen saver creation, and AVI/animated GIF export. It
runs on Windows 98, 2000, and XP and requires OpenGL 1.1 support with a 3D
accelerated card required. The fully functional Beta Release is free to all
and can be downloaded at the www.vizx3d.com website.
The final release of V.1.0 is expected for Fall 2003 and is set to be priced
at $299.00 with an upgrade price of $100.00 for existing Spazz3D 2.0 users.
There will be additional discounts for Cybertown members and members of the
SFWEB3D group as well as other online 3D communities.
About X3D:
X3D has been in development for some years now as the next generation of
open standard 3D. It offers advanced capabilities such as multi-texturing,
H-Anim single mesh avatars, and nurbs based models for digital online
content. Considered the "XMLzation" of VRML 97 it adds database and an open
ended architecture .The successor to VRML, the most popular format for 3D on
the web, it is endorsed by the Web3D Consortium and is set for WWWC standard
ratification this fall. For more information visit www.web3d.org.
About Virtock Technologies, Inc.
Virtock Technologies, Inc. delivers real-time 3D technologies that give
artists and digital media developers the power to create visually advanced
3D applications. The company's new X3D product, Vizx3D, allows developers to
create the most visually advanced X3D multimedia presentations for corporate
communications, hobbyist web-sites, online worlds, and interactive media
presentations deliverable on the Web. Headquartered in Cincinnati, OH. and
founded in 1999 by veteran web3D expert Keith Victor, the company first came
to prominence offering Spazz3D to the early VRML community. The simple to
use product quickly became a VRML developer favorite among the enthusiast
web3D market. From 2001-2002 Virtock Technologies was part of the Eyematic
Corporation working on web3D technologies for corporate clients. In March
2003, Keith left Eyematic to focus again on web3D tools for all designers,
thus creating Vizx3D.v.1.0. For more information, visit the site at
www.vizx3d.com.
Contact Information:
Keith Victor
President
Virtock Technologies, Inc.
551 Belle Meade Farm Drive
Loveland, OH 45140
Phone: (513) 583-5321
Fax: (513) 583-1252
Email: keith...@virtock.com