VizStream™ Web Kit

  1. Platforms, prices, and company
    • Windows 9x/Me/NT/2000 and Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher
    • The VizStream WebKit is priced according to the number of models placed on a site and the number of visits. The most popular packages are:
      • up to 5 models and 2,500 visits/month for $30/month
      • up to 25 models and 10,000 visits/month for $90/month
      • up to 50 models and 100,000 visits/month for $240/month
    • RealityWave Inc.:   125 Cambridge Park Drive, Third Floor, Cambridge, MA 02140
      Phone: (617) 864-5010, Fax: (617) 864-5011, Website:  ˇhttp://www.realitywave.com/

  2. Applications
    • The VizStream WebKit allows anyone to add interactive 3D content to a website quickly, easily, and inexpensively. With the creation of the VizStream WebKit site, designers can place previously created 3D models on a website in a matter of minutes without the need for HTML expertise, or even an IS department.
    • Non-streaming technologies generally download the entire 3D file before allowing the user to interact with it. Streaming incrementally delivers the 3D content in a way that allows the user to begin interacting before the entire file is downloaded.
    • The VizStream®ˇ WebKit itself does not enable users to create animations for their 3D models. Animation can be created for 3D models displayed in the VizStream®ˇ control by using javascript or another programming language. In addition, animation companies can use the VizStream®ˇ SDK to export non-character animations from their animation programs for use with the VizStream®ˇ ActiveX control.
  3. Examples/Samples

o        SolidWorks

SolidWorks develops easy-to-use, reasonably priced 3D mechanical design solutions to its many thousands of customers. SolidWorks uses the VizStream®ˇ WebKit to display 3D models of applications created using SolidWorks on its web site. Users can zoom in and out of, rotate, and take the 3D models apart for further examination. www.solidworks.com

o        Mountain Cycle

Mountain Cycle uses RealityWave's VizStream®ˇ technology in its web site's product information section to provide its customers with 3D visualization of its products. Customers can closely examine product models, thereby familiarizing themselves with the bicycle components Mountain Cycle has to offer. VizStream®ˇ enables Mountain Cycle to use its originial SolidWorks model, allowing customers to see interactive, realistic detail, while simultaneously saving Mountain Cycle engineers money and time by not having to redesign their model. www.mountaincycle.com

o        Autodesk®ˇ

Autodesk®ˇ provides interoperable design solutions for a quick and easy design process. Inventor is Autodesk®ˇ's 3D mechanical design system that enhances the design process over the Internet. Autodesk®ˇ uses the VizStream®ˇ WebKit to demonstrate Inventor's adaptive technology and to enable users to interact with 3D models, such as the Hawkes Ocean Technologies Deep Flight Aviator™. www.autodesk.com

o        Solid Creations Inc.

Solid Creations Inc. works with various CAD/CAM systems to provide companies with 3D parametric models. Their models are CAD-generated database files that can be used throughout the enterprise for things such as part design, parts libraries, product catalogs, mold making, and many others. Solid Creations Inc. can also convert your company's 2D drawings, sketches, and widgets into a 3D database. www.solidcreationsinc.com

  1. Functions

The VizStream provides two kinds of interfaces:
ActiveX Control interface allows an application to connect to a VizStream Server and render the three-dimensional models that are stored on that server.
Scene graph interface allows the manipulation of a streamed object.

The designer uses the WebKit to select the XGL file and place the 3D content on a VizStream server. Then, they simply direct the VizStream ActiveX control, on the Web page, to the 3D model or environment. When a user visits the site, the ActiveX viewer (only 200K) automatically downloads, installs and begins streaming 3D content.

o        ActiveX Interface
Viewing Methods: display one or more models, control which 3D models are displayed in the     control and how those models are displayed.
Overlay Methods: change the displayed material of an object or patch.
Clip Plane Methods: add one or more clip planes to the scene.
Edge Viewing: display and remove topological edges and vertices between the patch boundaries.
Object Locating Methods: locate objects and patches in the models.
XGL World Property Methods: read global properties that apply to all of the objects.
XGL Object Property Methods: read properties for the objects. 
XGL Data Methods: provide access to the custom data.
Rendering Methods: render the 3D scene in a multi-stage pipeline as follows: 3D XGL Object   Buffer --1--> 3D Object Buffer --2--> Back Frame Buffer --3--> Front Frame Buffer.
Messaging Methods: send messages to other VizStream ActiveX Controls.
Version Updating Methods: automatically update when the application tries to use it to access content that requires a new version.
Events: fire a variety of events.

  1. Web Resources