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Fakespace Ships Industry's Most Powerful Virtual Model Display To U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Large-Scale 3D Visualization System Provides Automated Horizontal-to-Vertical Display And Daylight Viewing Capability For Virtual Sandtable Applications Mountain View, CA - March 10, 1998 - Fakespace, Inc. today announced that it has shipped the industry’s most powerful Virtual Model Display (VMD) to the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) at Patuxent River, Maryland. This new version of the Fakespace Immersive WorkBench™ uses an innovative mechanical design that enables viewing on any working plane, from horizontal to fully vertical. Fakespace designed and built the large-scale display system, which it calls the VersaBench™, to meet the customer’s requirements for a VMD that could effortlessly move between a horizontal, "virtual sandtable" display and a vertical, "through-the-window" visualization system. Innovative features of the VersaBench include a motorized, unitized mechanical structure and an enhanced software interface to enable continuous viewing in changing orientations. Additionally, the system incorporates high luminosity Digital Light Processing™ (DLP™) projector technology for use in ambient light conditions. "Our requirements for a command and control visualization system included positioning flexibility, brightness for daylight viewing, a limited footprint, and accessibility from all four sides," said Richard S. Dunn, Ph.D., director of the Crewstation Technology Laboratory at NAWCAD. "Fakespace developed an innovative design using state-of-the-art technology to deliver a system that meets the requirements of our Visualization Architecture Technology program." NAWCAD will use the VersaBench as a 3D visualization system, providing command and control personnel with a realistic overview for situational awareness. Using software applications designed for mission planning and rehearsal, the VersaBench will display densely populated urban scenes that are integrated with large expanses of real terrain extracted from the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA). The EDGE Whole Earth Visualization Package, developed for NAWCAD by the Vision International Group of Autometric, Inc. provides real-time 3D visual simulations that incorporate real-world data. Product Innovation The unitized structure of the VersaBench places the projection system below the viewing surface, creating a smaller footprint than other large VMDs, and enabling access to all sides of the display surface. To support the customer’s requirement for changeable perspectives and accessibility to groups in both sandtable and formal presentation applications, Fakespace developed an innovative mechanical design that enables the viewing surface to automatically adjust across a full-range of positions, from completely vertical through various angled orientations to a horizontal, table-like display. At the touch of a button, the screen, projectors and reflecting mirrors all move as one unit without requiring re-calibration or projector adjustment. Fakespace added functionality to its VLIB™ (virtual library) software interface to support smooth transitions of the projected 3D imagery, so that users do not have to modify visualizations to accommodate changes in the viewing surface. Data can be "attached" to the screen surface or allowed to "float" while the screen orientation changes. The VersaBench is the first virtual model display designed to support solid state projection technology. In the NAWCAD system, two Electrohome VistaPro Plus projectors fit under the unit’s tabletop, and generate slightly different images for each eye to achieve the stereoscopic effect. These 1300 ANSI lumen projectors, based on DLP™ technology from Texas Instruments, are compatible with standard international video formats and provide extremely clear digital images that are bright enough to be viewed in any kind of lighting conditions. The VersaBench also incorporates passive stereo technology, which supports the use of low-cost, lightweight eyeglasses. Based on a polarized screen and lenses, the glasses enable each eye to see a slightly different image for a 3D effect. This approach provides a flicker-free view, and allows several users to move around the display without the interruptions that occur when infrared beam line-of-sight is required for the stereoscopic effect. Future Applications In addition to military applications, the projection systems enable realistic viewing and manipulation of 3D computer-generated visualizations for applications in design and engineering, education and training, medicine, planning, and scientific visualization. "We expect that the technologies developed for the VersaBench will be incorporated into future custom and commercial VMDs in the Immersive WorkBench product family," said David Eggleston, vice president of sales and marketing at Fakespace, Inc. "The increased flexibility and functionality of the system will continue to extend the range of applications for VMDs." Fakespace, Inc. is the leading supplier of 3D immersive visualization systems used to interact with virtual environments created for applications in education and training, scientific and commercial research, product design and engineering, and location-based entertainment. The company’s virtual model display family of products includes the Immersive WorkBench and the IWB-50™. The Fakespace family of high-resolution immersive BOOM (Binocular Omni- Orientation Monitor) displays is comprised of the BOOM3C™, the Fakespace Simulation System (FS2™) and the PUSH™ Desktop Display. Other products include PINCH™ hand gesture interface systems, hardware and software for integrating applications into 3D visualization systems, and consulting services for applications development. Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., the privately held company has been profitable since its founding in 1988. ### About Mechdyne Corporation Mechdyne Corporation is the world’s largest company dedicated to consulting and development of immersive, networked and collaborative visualization systems. The company addresses complex projects where an in-depth understanding of user requirements leads to the development of products and customized solutions involving elements of visual, software and support systems. Mechdyne’s product divisions provide advanced display technology, audio/visual systems design, and implementation services, as well as immersive and interactive software development and support. Headquartered in Marshalltown, Iowa, Mechdyne’s customers include leading government laboratories, military research programs, energy companies and a variety of ‘edutainment,’ manufacturing, and other users of visualization technology. More information is available at www.mechdyne.com. Mechdyne Press Contact Jeff Brum Matt Schmidt |
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