SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 22, 1998--SENSE8 Corp. and Mitsubishi Electronics America Inc. today released version 2.2 of Indy3D(TM), a 3D graphics performance and quality benchmark for Mechanical Computer-Aided Design (MCAD), animation and visual simulation professionals.
Expanding the market reach of Indy3D, the latest version is compatible with Alpha-based systems and Silicon Graphics products running the IRIX operating system. End users running Intel-based workstations and PCs can now compare their products to these systems which have long been considered power performers in the high-end professional 3D graphics industry.
"With the first release of Indy3D, we interviewed end users and hardware vendors to find out how to improve the value of the benchmark," said Ken Pimentel, vice president of business development at SENSE8 Corp. "The number one request was to make Indy3D compatible with SGI and Alpha systems, and we have met that demand."
In conjunction with releasing version 2.2, Indy3D source code has been made public at www.Indy3D.com and www.sense8.com/Indy3D/Indysource.com . SENSE8 and Mitsubishi are requesting that any feedback on the source code be e-mailed to feedback@indy3d.com .
"Our intent with Indy3D has always been to provide a benchmark that can become an industry standard by emulating typical use by a 3D professional," said Pimentel. "The only way to accomplish this feat is to provide open access to the source code. The industry can see exactly how we designed the Indy3D tests and then send us its input."
Indy3D is an application-focused OpenGL(R) hardware performance and image quality benchmark for MCAD, animation and visual simulation professionals. Indy3D provides a fast, easy-to-use interface for measurement of hardware performance based on typical application use in specific markets. The application tests result in a single value official Indy3D score.
In addition, Indy3D provides a method of independently evaluating image quality and a set of primitive level tests for exploring underlying performance issues. The results of neither the image quality nor the primitive level tests are factored in the official scores.
-- MCAD -- The MCAD test displays an engine database provided by Engineering Animation Inc. and created using SDRC's I-DEAS Master Series. It measures average frame-rate over 66 frames while the engine "tumbles." One-third of the frames are rendered as anti-aliased wireframe, and the other two-thirds as Gouraud-shaded polygons.
-- Animation -- The animation test illustrates a human animation via a "walking man" figure created by Westwood Studios. The test measures the average frame-rate over 245 frames while sequentially cycling through the animations.
-- Simulation -- The simulation test is a sailboat, designed by SENSE8, moving through the San Francisco Bay. The simulation test measures average frame-rate over 225 frames while running boat and wave dynamics with a viewpoint circling the boat
-- Image Quality Test -- The image quality test is one scene divided into multiple sections. Each section demonstrates a specific quality feature designed to stress the graphics card. The end user can see how the card handles the following: texture mapping, z-buffer, antialiasing, texture filtering and MIP mapping, polygon seaming, perspective correction, and translucency. The user has access to a reference JPEG image that shows how the scene should look if rendered correctly.
Indy3D can be downloaded at www.sense8.com/indy3d/index.htm or at www.indy3d.com . A CD-ROM version can be ordered at www.indy3d.com starting in February. Indy3D requires a minimum memory of 96 Mbytes and is compatible with Microsoft Windows(R) 95 and Windows NT(R) operating systems on Intel-based systems. For systems running on Alpha processors, Indy3D is compatible with Windows NT. Indy3D version 2.2 is compatible with all SGI systems running the IRIX operating system versions 5.3, 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4.
Founded in 1990, SENSE8 Corp. is the world's leading provider of software tools for professional 3D/virtual reality application developers. As part of its solutions-oriented focus, the company also provides systems integration, training and custom programming services for its customers. Since 1990, WorldToolKit has won numerous virtual reality industry awards including Computer Graphics World, CyberEdge Journal and Meckler awards for technology excellence. SENSE8's World Up has won awards from IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications and Computer Graphics World.
Mitsubishi Electric is a transnational corporation that focuses on developing technology-based products for industries ranging from communications to consumer to industrial markets. Mitsubishi combines its systems-level expertise and high-level silicon process technology to provide chip, chipset and system-on-a-chip solutions. Mitsubishi Electric groups responsible for the 3DPro/2mp chipset include its Japan-based IC design and wafer fabrication entities, and VSIS Inc., its Sunnyvale, California-based systems design and engineering company. VSIS Inc. (pronounced "Vee-sis") is a Silicon Valley start-up company incorporated in Delaware on April 1996 with 100 percent venture capital funding provided by Mitsubishi Electronics America Inc. VSIS' mission is to develop new systems-level technologies in new markets. To learn more, please visit http://www.3dpro2mp.com .
SENSE8, WorldToolKit, and World Up are registered trademarks of SENSE8 Corp. VSIS and the VSIS logo are trademarks, and "The System Is The Chip" is a service mark of VSIS Inc., a Mitsubishi Electric America Inc. group company. 3DPro and Indy3D are trademarks of Mitsubishi Electric America Inc. Mitsubishi and the Mitsubishi logo are registered trademarks of Mitsubishi Electric Corp. in the USA, Japan and other countries. OpenGL is a registered trademark of Silicon Graphics Inc. Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
Mitsubishi Electronics America Inc
Bill Cottrell, +01 408/774-3098
bill.cottrell@vsisinc.comor
KVO Public Relations
Julianne Whitelaw, +01 650/919-2048
julianne_whitelaw@kvo.com
or
SENSE8
Ken Pimentel, +01 415/289-5278
ken@SENSE8.com
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