MultiGen Inc. announces next generation of realtime 3D authoring software for Silicon Graphics systems; MultiGen Series II Family makes industry-leading realtime 3D modeling tools more productive through new interface and features

Business Wire, August 9, 1995

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 9, 1995--MultiGen Inc. announced today MultiGen Series II, its new family of realtime 3D authoring software for visual simulation, virtual reality, entertainment and CAD visualization.

Product enhancements in usability, architecture and functionality provide the highest modeling productivity available for interactive realtime 3D applications.

"With MultiGen Series II, the whole modeling process is faster, feels smoother and is more intuitive, resulting in more quality databases per hour," stated Spencer Lindsay, senior 3D animator at Time Warner Interactive Inc. "Our production demands are heavy, and this new series from MultiGen has what we need -- high-quality realtime 3D modeling power that is management- and cost-effective."

New Family of Products

"The MultiGen Series II family represents a leap forward in productivity and ease-of-use for what is already the most powerful and advanced set of tools available for 3D database creation," said Joe Fantuzzi, president and CEO of MultiGen. "Using the power of Silicon Graphics workstations, from the Indy(TM) to the new Indigo2 IMPACT(TM) to the Onyx(TM), this family of products comprises a complete solution for the creation of realtime applications: from the development of the most complex, high-end visual simulations for aerospace or architectural walk-throughs, to the design of life-like interactive gaming and entertainment titles."

MultiGen, which stands for Multiple Image Generator, is the leading provider of modeling tools for realtime 3D authoring. Unique functionality allows 3D models and worlds to be created with structure and attributes which enable complete interactive realtime control within a 3D scene. These capabilities are markedly different from 3D animation software which might take many hours to render one frame of a scene using pre-defined keyframed paths.

The MultiGen Series II family is comprised of three products and their options:

MultiGen II Pro - The most advanced realtime 3D modeler for the

creation, editing and viewing of large-scale

visual databases for simulation applications that

require the most sophisticated 3D modeling

technology available. (Formerly MultiGen Flight)

MultiGen II - The leading realtime 3D modeler for the creation,

editing and viewing of small- to medium-sized

visual databases for entry-level to mid-range

simulation applications. (Formerly ModelGen2)

GameGen II - The leading realtime 3D modeler for the creation,

editing and viewing of databases for

location-based, arcade and home entertainment

applications. (Formerly GameGen)

New Features Enhance Productivity

MultiGen Series II offers designers of realtime 3D applications new features that make the process easier and shorten development time. These features include:

Usability Enhancements - include features like: Custom Palettes,

which allow users to define the modeling interface to suit their

preferences and the task at hand; Geometry creation and

modification tools, which are omni-modal and allow for direct

model access rather than using dialog boxes; and a complete trace

function with Global Undo, which can take the user back to any

stage in the modeling process.

More Views - of databases and multiple trackplanes are available

with MultiGen Series II, resulting in greater productivity.

Users can easily switch between tools and options such as texture

editor and 3D model viewer, applying textures interactively to

models.

Database Assets - can be imported from existing models in CAD and

animation programs such as AutoCAD(R), 3D Studio(R),

PowerAnimator(TM), AdvancedVisualizer(TM) and Inventor(TM) and

modified to be suitable for realtime use.

X-Motif-Based Interface - makes the family easier to learn and to

use with its new interactive 3D graphical user interface that is

compliant with X-Motif standards.

Extensions to Architecture - include an Application Programming

Interface (API) which allows users to add functionality, create

their own tools and extend the MultiGen database format. In

addition, MultiGen and Silicon Graphics have collaborated to augment

the performance of large area databases with refinements to MultiGen

Series II, OpenGL(TM) and Performer(TM) software.

The result of these enhancements is that the MultiGen Series II family is faster to learn and use, more productive, more forgiving of user error and remains the most powerful set of realtime 3D modeling software available.

Integrated Options for Individualized Needs

MultiGen Series II offers a series of fully integrated advanced options that provide the capability to create -- photo-textured 3D objects, extensive real world terrain, roads which conform to civil engineering rules, fully interactive instrumentation displays, articulated behavior attributes and assignable 3D audio effects.

Broad Compatibility

MultiGen Series II runs on all Silicon Graphics platforms and supports a wide range of the leading image generators from companies like Evans & Sutherland and Lockheed/Martin. Specific peripheral support includes tablet and scanner input. Software partner compatibility includes Paradigm Simulation's AudioWorks 2(TM) and Vega(TM) and Gemini Technology's GVS(TM) simulation runtime application tools, plus Mak Technologies' DIS network applications tools.