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Computer-generated imagery
News Computer-generated imagery
The latest product from the LinkMiles IMAGE range enhances the capability of the world's first microprocessor-based computer-generated imagery (CGI) visual system. The high scene content and improved scene management of IMAGE 600 bring increased scene realism and enhanced visual cues for training systems. It exceeds the standards set by the FAA for level D
Virtual reality platform The Provision 100VRX is a fully integrated virtual reality platform. It combines an industry standard Intel 486 platform with dedicated stereo graphics, three-dimensional audio and low-latency virtual world interactivity in a single deskside chassis. A range of fully integrated 3D peripherals can be plugged directly into the unit; these include stereo head-mounted displays, BOOM displays, 3D mice, gloves and true 3D audio. Image generation is in stereo at up to 8 M pixels and 35 K Gouraudshaded, Z-buffered polygons per second per eye can be rendered. All graphics, audio and I/O processing are handled by dedicated processors, leaving the 486 available for the user application. System support software is dVS, a platform-independent foundation for application development. The operating system is the UNIX System V. (Division Ltd, Quarry Road, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol BS17 6AX, UK. Tel: (454) 324527, Fax: (454) 323059) [] Vol 13 No 4 1992
certification of visual systems for commercial aircraft training simulators. IMAGE 600 may be used in combination with the Link-Miles AWARDS projected display system, which gives a 200 ° horizontal field of view, to provide a sharp, stable, bright scene. A new phototexture option is available as an upgrade to all IMAGE 600 systems. Other features of the system include comprehensive weather and visibility effects, realistic shadows and a directional light source. The system has a large on-line disc storage capacity. (Link-Miles Ltd, Churchill Industrial Estate, Lancing, West Sussex BNI5 8UE, UK. Tel: (0903) 755881, Fax: (0903) 763172) []
High-speed ATC graphics Dynamic high-speed Air Traffic Control (ATC) graphics capability is provided by the Barco Chromatics CX3500 single board graphics controller, which is directly coupled to the Digital Equipment Corporation DECstation 5000 system through the TURBOchannel I/O bus connection. The DECstation 5000, which has the largest system memory capacity of any mid-range workstation, supports the industry standard OSF/ Motif graphical user interface and access to more than 2800 ready-touse ULTRIX applications. Performance specifications of the CX3500 scalable graphics controller include drawing speeds of over two million vectors per second, 130M pixels/s fill area and up to 500 000 characters per second. Industry standard software such as GKS, PHIGHS + , X windows and PEX is supported. The CX3500 may be coupled with the SPARC 2 host processor to give
Six degree-of-freedom position tracker The latest Polhemus product, 3Space FASTRAK, is a position tracker which provides six degree-of-freedom tracking. The FASTRAK accurately computes the position and orientation of a tiny receiver as it moves through space with latency (lag) of only 4 #s. This device virtually eliminates the problem of latency as it provides dynamic, real-time, six degree-of-freedom measurement of position. FASTRAK can be used for interfacing with Virtual Reality environments and controlling simulator projectors or other applications where real-time response is critical. The device can be used in head and body tracking in virtual reality applications, and virtually eliminates latency in head-mounted displays. In biochemical analysis, up to 16 receivers may be mounted on parts of the anatomy to collect real-time relative movement data of gait and limb analysis. The receiver may be mounted in a mouse or stylus in graphics applications, or, in the medical field, on a robotic prosthesis. (Virtual Presence Ltd, 25 Corsham Street, London NI 6DR, UK. Tel: (071) 253 9699, Fax: (071) 490 8968) []
a SPARC workstation with accelerated PEX graphics capabilities. This system demonstrates a highperformance XIIR5 version of X/ PEX, and is claimed to be the only available ATC system which can provide a multi-head, multi-resolution capability. This configuration also supports a special cursor-positioning feature, allowing the user to align the cursor in the correct position from one monitor to the other. (Barco n.v., Th. Sevenslaan 106, B-8500 Kortrijk, Belgium. Tel: 4--3256233246, Fax: 4-32 56 233 334) [] 211
The latest product from the LinkMiles IMAGE range enhances the capability of the world's first microprocessor-based computer-generated imagery (CGI) visual system. The high scene content and improved scene management of IMAGE 600 bring increased scene realism and enhanced visual cues for training systems. It exceeds the standards set by the FAA for level D
Virtual reality platform The Provision 100VRX is a fully integrated virtual reality platform. It combines an industry standard Intel 486 platform with dedicated stereo graphics, three-dimensional audio and low-latency virtual world interactivity in a single deskside chassis. A range of fully integrated 3D peripherals can be plugged directly into the unit; these include stereo head-mounted displays, BOOM displays, 3D mice, gloves and true 3D audio. Image generation is in stereo at up to 8 M pixels and 35 K Gouraudshaded, Z-buffered polygons per second per eye can be rendered. All graphics, audio and I/O processing are handled by dedicated processors, leaving the 486 available for the user application. System support software is dVS, a platform-independent foundation for application development. The operating system is the UNIX System V. (Division Ltd, Quarry Road, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol BS17 6AX, UK. Tel: (454) 324527, Fax: (454) 323059) [] Vol 13 No 4 1992
certification of visual systems for commercial aircraft training simulators. IMAGE 600 may be used in combination with the Link-Miles AWARDS projected display system, which gives a 200 ° horizontal field of view, to provide a sharp, stable, bright scene. A new phototexture option is available as an upgrade to all IMAGE 600 systems. Other features of the system include comprehensive weather and visibility effects, realistic shadows and a directional light source. The system has a large on-line disc storage capacity. (Link-Miles Ltd, Churchill Industrial Estate, Lancing, West Sussex BNI5 8UE, UK. Tel: (0903) 755881, Fax: (0903) 763172) []
High-speed ATC graphics Dynamic high-speed Air Traffic Control (ATC) graphics capability is provided by the Barco Chromatics CX3500 single board graphics controller, which is directly coupled to the Digital Equipment Corporation DECstation 5000 system through the TURBOchannel I/O bus connection. The DECstation 5000, which has the largest system memory capacity of any mid-range workstation, supports the industry standard OSF/ Motif graphical user interface and access to more than 2800 ready-touse ULTRIX applications. Performance specifications of the CX3500 scalable graphics controller include drawing speeds of over two million vectors per second, 130M pixels/s fill area and up to 500 000 characters per second. Industry standard software such as GKS, PHIGHS + , X windows and PEX is supported. The CX3500 may be coupled with the SPARC 2 host processor to give
Six degree-of-freedom position tracker The latest Polhemus product, 3Space FASTRAK, is a position tracker which provides six degree-of-freedom tracking. The FASTRAK accurately computes the position and orientation of a tiny receiver as it moves through space with latency (lag) of only 4 #s. This device virtually eliminates the problem of latency as it provides dynamic, real-time, six degree-of-freedom measurement of position. FASTRAK can be used for interfacing with Virtual Reality environments and controlling simulator projectors or other applications where real-time response is critical. The device can be used in head and body tracking in virtual reality applications, and virtually eliminates latency in head-mounted displays. In biochemical analysis, up to 16 receivers may be mounted on parts of the anatomy to collect real-time relative movement data of gait and limb analysis. The receiver may be mounted in a mouse or stylus in graphics applications, or, in the medical field, on a robotic prosthesis. (Virtual Presence Ltd, 25 Corsham Street, London NI 6DR, UK. Tel: (071) 253 9699, Fax: (071) 490 8968) []
a SPARC workstation with accelerated PEX graphics capabilities. This system demonstrates a highperformance XIIR5 version of X/ PEX, and is claimed to be the only available ATC system which can provide a multi-head, multi-resolution capability. This configuration also supports a special cursor-positioning feature, allowing the user to align the cursor in the correct position from one monitor to the other. (Barco n.v., Th. Sevenslaan 106, B-8500 Kortrijk, Belgium. Tel: 4--3256233246, Fax: 4-32 56 233 334) [] 211